The Ford 3 × 6 Engine Programme

Abstract

The Ford 3 × 6 engine has been developed as an advanced study to achieve maximum possible fuel economy whilst maintaining the performance of the production 2.8 litre injection engine. The standard 2.8 litre injection engine provides the base for the dual displacement concept. Separation into two engines is accomplished by a completely divided intake manifold and dual plate throttle body. This permits the right bank of cylinders (engine 1) to operate at all times and the left bank (engine 2) to operate separately, only when needed. Typically, six-cylinder operation is selected for cold engine operation and at throttle angles greater than 37°. The sequential opening of the two throttle plates for engine 1 and engine 2 is controlled by a mechanical control system. Electronic fuel injection is controlled by the Ford EEC IV electronic engine control computer. The EEC IV also controls separate engine spark advance, deceleration fuel cut-off, cold engine enrichment, idle speed, and provides fuel consumption input to the vehicle's trip computer. Development tests to date have shown approximately 20 per cent improvement in ECE cycle fuel consumption.