Adding Flex-Fuel Capability to a Passenger Vehicle Engine Using a Do-it-Yourself System

Presenter Information

Shizen Shrestha, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Saroj Phuyal, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU 253/254

Start Date

27-4-2009 9:30 AM

End Date

27-4-2009 12:00 PM

Student's Major

Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Student's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Mentor's Name

Gary Mead

Mentor's Department

Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Comments

This project tested the feasibility of adding a Do-It-Yourself (DIY), Mega Squirt system, Electronic Control Unit (ECU) system to a common passenger vehicle engine. The Mega Squirt system can be used on nearly any spark ignition engine and is capable of performing the tasks of almost any modem ECU. We added flexfiiel capability to the system using a GM flex-fuel sensor. The sensor is used to read the alcohol percentage and the temperature of the fiiel in the line which will allow us to use any blend of gasoline and ethanol. Also, we added an ability to easily switch the computers from the factory ones to the Mega squirt and vice versa by using a quick disconnect system on the wiring hamess. This will allow us to compare the performance of the computers on the engine. Finally we tested the efficiency of the new ECU compared to the old one, and attempted to determine the maximum emissions reduction and fuel economy gains we can achieve using this low-cost conversion. Therefore by performing this low-cost conversion, there is a great possibility to improve the efficiency of any engine that has a carburetor or any other old fuel system as well as adding flexibility of the fuel that we use.