h a l f b a k e r yBirth of a Notion.
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Most car engines draw their fuel/air
mixture from the top of the engine and
expell their exhaust gasses down
through a manifold into the exhaust
pipes under and out the back of the car.
There would be fewer pumping losses if
the exhaust went straight up and out,
like on a semi truck or
a top fuel drag
racer.
The exhaust would come out of the top
of the engine (the intake manifold on a
V-8 would then become the exhaust
manifold), into some type of muffler, and
through exhaust pipes integrated into
the A-pillars.
This would also isolate the intake system
from a good deal of the hot air rising up
off the engine, as well as providing an
easy way to heat the windshield and
passenger compartment with the hot
exhaust gasses.
The only problems I see are packaging
the entire exhaust system under the
hood, and striking a balance between
making the pillars with a large diameter
(to improve gas flow), and making them
small to improve visibility. I suppose
high-performance cars might just vent
their exhausts out the quarter panels,
similar to Buick's "portholes."
[link]
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Not such a good idea if you like driving with your windows down. Ever driven behind an A-Pillar dump truck? Not very pleasant. Also, you'd poison yourself. Those "hot exhaust gasses" are carbon monoxide. |
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This is actually a popular form of suicide. Usually consists of running a hose from your exhaust pipes to the passenger compartment, closing the windows, and leaving the car running. Ever seen the movie "The Client"? Monoxide is an odorless, tasteless gas so it's a painless way to kill yourself. You just fall asleep and don't wake up. Not something I'd like to see happening on the road. |
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In cold climates, the exhaust condenses and hugs the ground. It might make an effective smokescreen if vented on the top, but reduced visibility isn't something most drivers enjoy, especially on icy roads. |
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Could be especially interesting if Sally Soccermom stuffes her Soy HalfCaf Venti Latte into the exhaust pipe before loading Biffy Buffy, Bunni and Belvidere into their car seats and driving off (forgetting the "coffee") |
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Damn, I can't stop laughing.....[galb] that's funny. |
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The exhaust wouldn't go into the passenger compartment, it would go up and out the top of the roof. You could even have pipes that carry the exhaust farther up past the car. I don't see how the exhaust could get inside the car or interfer with visibility if it is released above the roof. |
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