Air-Fuel Ratio and The SRF Air-Fuel Curve: Background

Air-Fuel Ratio and the SRF Air-Fuel Curve
Background

One of the key elements determining performance, driveability and
reliability of gasoline fueled internal combustion engines is precise
control of the air-fuel ratio. Efficient combustion occurs within a
fairly narrow band of mixtures...with increased fuel consumption,
increased exhaust emissions and potential engine damage possible
outside this band. This was one of the key factors driving the
adoption of computer controlled engine management systems in
passenger cars.
In the Spec Racer Ford, we have no direct control over the air-fuel
ratio--its set by the fuel map programmed into the
EEC. Knowing whats going on, however, can help you maximize
power and minimize the potential for engine damage.

Air-Fuel Ratio Basics

Air-Fuel Ratio and Power
Air-fuel ratio is measured in terms of mass....with air being the first
(and larger number). For example, an air-fuel ratio of 12:1 means
for every one given mass of fuel, you have 12 times the mass in
air. The graph below illustrates a few key points. First, the concept
of stoichiometric mixture...that is the point where, chemically, there
are exactly enough atoms of oxygen to burn 100% of the fuel. This
point is at an air-fuel ratio of 14.7:1. If you have more air with
same amount of fuel you have a lean mixture, less air than
stoichiometric is a rich mixture. As you can see from the graph,
maximum power is produced with a slightly rich mixture (12.6:1)
and maximum economy with a slightly lean mixture.

The Slopes of the Curves
As you can see above -- and in the chart below --- power is rapidly
affected by lean mixtures...and not affected as dramatically by rich
mixtures.

The SRF Air-Fuel Curve
The graph below shows the torque of a Spec Racer Ford motor
plotted vs. the RPM. Torque is shown on the red line and uses the
left-side Y axis. Also plotted on this graph is the air-fuel ratio at
the same RPM. The air-fuel ratio is the dotted black line and uses
the right-side Y axis. The blue horizontal line is the
stoichiometric point with lean mixtures occurring above the line
and rich mixtures below.
The plots below were derived by averaging data from 5 back-to-
back dyno pulls. In these pulls, the motor is brought to wide
open throttle (WOT) with the dyno water brake holding down the
motor RPM and then turning control of the motor over to the
dynos computer. The computer then reduces the load on the motor
such that RPM increases at 300 RPM per second...all the time
holding the motor at WOT.

There are a couple of key points in this data:
1) Between 4000 RPM and 4250 RPM, when the motor is
approaching its peak output, the air-fuel ratio is mostly on the lean
side of stoichiometric.
2) Above 4750 RPM, the motor goes very rich.
Detonation and Pre-Ignition -- Evils or Curses?
Both detonation (spontaneous ignition of part of the fuel charge
after ignition) and pre-ignition (premature ignition of the fuel
charge by a hot spot in the cylinder) can be aggravated by lean
mixtures and high engine loads. Think about how a car knocks
(detonates) when you accelerate at full throttle in high gear. This
situation is not dissimilar to the SRF situation between 3250 RPM
and 4250 RPM....a lean mixture and a high load. Im aware of two
SRF engines that have been destroyed due to detonation.
To make matters worse, the air-fuel ratio shown above is from data
taken from an air-bell mounted at the inlet of the air filter
housing. In other words, we were measuring the total airflow of the
motor. The problem is that the air is not distributed evenly between
the cylinders. The Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor is providing
readings to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to compute injector
pulse width based on the total air flow. There can be, however,
variations between the cylinders of over 15%. This means that
while, on average, the air-fuel ratio is what is shown in the graph
above, a specific cylinder might have 15% more or less air at any
given moment (with cylinders 2 & 3 flowing the most air)...but the
fuel is based on the average.

Implications to the SRF Racer

Ok, so now you have lots of data. What does it all mean?
First, pay attention to your fuel. Back in the old Renault days, we
found that lower octane fuel made higher power. This is basically
true with the Ford, too. The problem though, is that if everything
isnt right (e.g. airs too cold, youre running Denver fuel at a
Florida race) you could potentially damage the engine with low
octane fuel. On the other hand, you can get too much of a good
thing. Fuel with octane higher than required to prevent detonation
will typically reduce the power output -- and usually with the
additional benefit of having to pay more money for the
privilege. Weve had very good luck with 92 or 93 octane pump
gas. No engine damage and good power. One word of warning
here. Many places use oxygenated fuel in the 92 and 93 octane
grades. While its great fuel, its also illegal per the rules.
Second, make sure you dont have problems with fuel
delivery. You want all the fuel you can get at the mid RPM
range. You need to make sure your fuel filters are clean and that
your fuel system isnt restricted either with a blockage or excessive
vacuum in the fuel cell.
Third, run the cold spark plugs only. Two plugs are legal:
Motorcraft AGSF24C (the cold plug) or Motorcraft AGSF34C
(the hot plug). In 4 years of racing the SRF weve never fouled a
plug with the AGSF24Cs... and they provide better protection
against pre-ignition than the 34s.
Rev. 2/21/98
Feedback

I welcome your comments or ideas on this information. Feel free to
drop me a line via Comments for the Bros.
Barry

Air-Fuel Ratio and The SRF Air-Fuel Curve: Background

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Air-Fuel Ratio and The SRF Air-Fuel Curve: Background

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Air-Fuel Ratio and The SRF Air-Fuel Curve: Background

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Air-Fuel Ratio and the SRF Air-Fuel Curve

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.