Amazing Inventions.

[lukeh]

I am very intrested in what car companies and racing teams have invented to improve there cars. Any invention that you think is intresting post it here.

[lukeh]

I will start.
N2O, it was first used as a performance product on planes. The planes used Nitrouse with no oxygen they used used it for geting out of fights ect. The problem they had with using just nitrouse was that the engine got extremly hot and that is what the Oxide is used fot in N2O.
That is the main reason.

[my porsche]

venturi tunnels, used to get downforce without exteriour appendages

[targa]

AC, its amazing!

i was driving one day about a year ago, it was like 117F outside, i had the AC set and it was 63in side the car

IT WAS GREAT!!!1

[Lagonda]

The electric window.

[tallguynate]

The electric starter.

[Sweeney921]

the wheel

[Manik]

We also wouldn't be where we are if the engine wasn't invented.....;)

[taz_rocks_miami]

Paddle shifted transmitions, they first appeared in F1.

[targa]

Paddle shifted transmitions, they first appeared in F1.ha, i turn my nose up at you, stick will live forever

We also wouldn't be where we are if the engine wasn't invented.....i agree, the ole internal combuster is great, way better then those pansy "steam engines"

this is post # 288 for me, w00t one of the greatest Ferrari's ever: 288 GTO

[Matra et Alpine]

Paddle shifted transmitions, they first appeared in F1.
American cars had hand shift on their autos in the 50s.

There was a British saloon about the time had a hand operated shift at the steering wheel CONNECTED to a manual gearbox :)

Just being a pedant :)

[Coventrysucks]

i agree, the ole internal combuster is great, way better then those pansy "steam engines"

Without those "pansy" steam engines there wouldn't be an ICE.

FWIW ICEs are pretty rubbish. Far too inefficient, only about 30% of the energy you put in (fuel) gets to the wheels IIRC.

[targa]

Without those "pansy" steam engines there wouldn't be an ICE.i know, just joking

[85RX7]

The rotary engine. Even if you dont personally like it you HAVE to give it more than credit.

[lukeh]

What about some of the things the old F1 teams were playing around with to make their cars faster than the rest.

[Ferrari Tifosi]

Active Suspension, first made by the Lotus team in 1986 (I believe). That technology has found its way into road cars.

[Ferrari Tifosi]

Also car to pit and pit to car telemetry, which I believe was first thought up by Honda in the early 80's. Some really cool stuff, helped DC win Monaco in 2002.

[Juggs]

how about rotary valves? im pretty sure there arent any road cars using them yet but i wouldnt be suprised if they started showing up not too long from now!

[Spastik_Roach]

The push button transmissions used by Dodge in the 50's. Obviously must've been flawed cause it never took off but I think the idea of pushing buttons to change gears is pretty neato :)

[targa]

The push button transmissions used by Dodge in the 50's. Obviously must've been flawed cause it never took off but I think the idea of pushing buttons to change gears is pretty neato :)kinda be like the paddle dealy we have now, wouldn't it?

[johnnynumfiv]

kinda be like the paddle dealy we have now, wouldn't it?

Not really, they were buttons on the dash like this, they were on old chryslers, I don't know know about any others:
http://www.ev1.pair.com/1964_Chrysler_New_Yorker_wagon/images/64-chry-tranny-buttons.jpg

I don't think they were used with manual transmissons, just automatics. I believe Aston Martin is using this on thier cars now too.
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=pic.php&imagenum=7&carnum=1815

Those buttons below the vents in the middle are the trans buttons I believe.

[targa]

I don't think they were used with manual transmissons, just automatics.ah...i pictured four buttons on the center. clutch+button=shift and was wonedering how it would work, but if it was strictly automatic, i understand

[Turbonutter55]

Well, the ZIL-114 (a Soviet limousine) had a push-button transmission. It only had 2 speeds, though. The engine (a copy of the Chevrolet 427) meant it didn't need any more, even carrying 3 tons of armour plating.

[2ndclasscitizen]

even though its really only in its infancy, i'd go the electro-hydraulic valves, computer controlled with no cams, just hydraulics to operate the valves

[Matra et Alpine]

even though its really only in its infancy, i'd go the electro-hydraulic valves, computer controlled with no cams, just hydraulics to operate the valves
hmm, lose hydraulics and lose the whole engine :(
To avoid springs they woudl use hydralics to clsoe them too, so in the even of a compelte hydraulic faliure you'll bounce valves off pistons :(

Ask Schumey if he likes the realiance on hydralics as he lost the last F1 for that reason :(