THE PLASTIC ENGINE: IS MASS PRODUCTION A REAL POSSIBILITY?

One of the strategies for making cars more fuel efficient is making them lighter. While wholesale substitution of lighter weight aluminum and plastic components in place of steel and cast iron has yet to materialize, one of the more interesting material substitution efforts is taking place at Polimotor Research in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. Working with carbon-fiber and fiberglass materials, Polimotor has developed a composite plastic engine. The plastic 4-cylinder powerplant, which weighs about 150 pounds, is 200 pounds lighter than an equivalent engine made of metal. A refined version of this prototype will have its initial application in Ford's racing program sometime in 1984. In its current form, the plastic engine is not compatible with Detroit's production techniques. There is also a question as to durability of the plastic engine since there has been only limited dynamometer testing. A final issue is cost, which is roughly estimated to be 50% above that of a conventional gasoline engine.

• Corporate Authors:

  Hearst Books

  Motor Books Department, 224 West 57th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10019
• Authors:
  • Zino, K
• Publication Date: 1983-11

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 8-9
• Serial:
  • Motor
  • Volume: 160
  • Issue Number: 5

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Composite materials; Costs; Durability; Lightweight materials; Manufacturing; Plastics; Prototypes; Vehicle power plants
• Old TRIS Terms: Automobile engines
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Finance; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00389076
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: Editor Rpt, HS-036 612
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Sep 28 1984 12:00AM