THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY: MUMM BROTHERS RACING
Air-Fuel Ratio and the SRF Air-Fuel Curve
BackgroundOne 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--it’s set by the “fuel map” programmed
into the EEC. Knowing what’s 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 dyno’s
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. I’m
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 and 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 isn’t right (e.g. air’s too cold, you’re 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. We’ve 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 it’s great fuel, it’s also illegal per the rules.
Second, make sure you don’t 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 isn’t 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 we’ve never fouled a plug with the AGSF24C’s... and they provide better protection against pre-ignition than the 34’s.
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 Bro’s”.
Barry