Smokey Yunick lives on

Automotive Industries, Jan, 2005 by Tom Kuchnicki

In reference to the HCCI article (AI, Dec. 2004, pg. 44), as fuel economy increases and researchers find how many emissions are created in the production of hydrogen, the IC engine looks better and better. But you have to stretch your imagination to consider Mr. Yunick's Hot Vapor Cycle technology as a form of HCCI. All Smokey did was add a turbocharger to the Pontiac Iron Duke 4-cylinder to improve performance.

He then reed heating the intake charge with heat from the turbo. It was a disaster! Smokey thought he could recover some of the exhaust heat so you wouldn't need as much fuel for combustion. But he avoided testing for detonation. One quick acceleration up Daytona Beach Ave. was his total test. Smokey was very secretive about his technology. After GM learned what he was trying to do, funding was stopped.

HCCI needs heat for combustion. Cold starting would be a bear to accomplish. HCCI could be pare of engine operation, but it doesn't look too promising as a stand-alone system. You have to consider the whole world when developing new technology. You can't develop different technologies for different climates.