Chicago Auto Show Display Takes 1.0L EcoBoost Apart - Engine Builder Magazine

Chicago Auto Show Display Takes 1.0L EcoBoost Apart

One of many highlights in the Ford booth at the 107th Chicago Auto Show was a large layout of the pieces that make up the first-ever Ford three-cylinder EcoBoost engine. This 1.0 liter turbocharged, direct-injection powerplant delivers 123 hp and 125 lb.-ft. of torque.

The important parts of Ford’s 1.0L EcoBoost were prominently laid out for visitors to the world’s largest auto show in Chicago.
The important parts of Ford’s 1.0L EcoBoost were prominently laid out for visitors to the world’s largest auto show in Chicago.

One of many highlights in the Ford booth at the 107th Chicago Auto Show was a large layout of the pieces that make up the first-ever Ford three-cylinder EcoBoost engine. This 1.0 liter turbocharged, direct-injection powerplant delivers 123 hp and 125 lb.-ft. of torque. The 1.0L EcoBoost was named the 2014 International Engine of the Year and Ford is obviously very proud of it. It is available on the Fiesta SE with manual transmission and the Focus.

In the Fiesta, the 1.0L EcoBoost package features a 123-hp rating and  EPA-estimated fuel economy of up to 43 highway mpg. The Fiesta SE also comes equipped with the available SE EcoBoost Fuel Economy Package

The EcoBoost engine line is a “family” of turbocharged, direct injected gasoline engines produced by Ford. FEV Engineering was a partner in their development. EcoBoost technology allows small engines to make the horsepower and torque of larger, naturally-aspirated engines with approximately 20 percent better fuel

High-pressure fuel rail and direct fuel injectors.
High-pressure fuel rail and direct fuel injectors.

economy and 15 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Blue Oval.

Ford has put its marbles in the EcoBoost bag and sees the technology as an affordable and versatile competitor of hybrids and diesels. The 1.0L came out of the automaker’s Dunton Technical Center in England and went into production about three years ago. The engines are to be produced in Cologne, Germany, Craiova, Romania and Chongqing, China.

The 1.0 was made in two versions: with 99 hp and 123 hp. The more powerful version delivers a maximum of 125 lb.-ft. at 1,400–4,500 rpm and 148 lb.-ft. on overboost. Don’t expect a rocking and shaky little three-banger either. The 1.0L EcoBoost runs smoothly at a 750-rpm idle speed. The engine uses a fast-warming cast iron block. The flywheel is unbalanced to fight the normal three-cylinder engine vibrational characteristics. Ford didn’t have to go through the hassle or expense of adding heavy balance shafts.

Variable displacement oil pump.
Variable displacement oil pump.

Other features include an internal timing belt bathed in the engine oil for durability, more efficiency and less noise. The exhaust manifold is cast into the cylinder head which hastens engine warming and allows for water cooling of the exhaust gases. The dual path cooling system has thermostats for the cylinder head and block so the engine warms even faster. The diminutive, low-inertia turbocharger bolts directly to the head. For extra economy, there’s a clutched alternator that recycles deceleration energy to help charge the battery. A fast-acting stop/start system shuts off the engine when the car is sitting in traffic.

In Chicago the various parts of the engine were laid out on a light green board that looked like a green felt pool table surface. Individual parts were attached to the board and information about each part was presented in white lettering inside a white circle. “High-Energy Spark Plugs and Coil Packs” said the info in one circle next to the coil packs and spark plugs. “Compact Cast-Iron Block” read the letters in a circle next to the tiny engine block.

Other elements of the Chicago Auto Show display highlighted the engine’s low friction pistons, forged steel

Another view of the cast  aluminum  cylinder head.
Another view of the cast aluminum cylinder head.

connecting rods, cast iron crankshaft and pulley, cast aluminum cylinder head, high-pressure fuel pump, low-inertia turbocharger assembly, high-pressure fuel rail, direct fuel injectors, variable displacerment oil pump and Twin-Path cooling system water pump.

Though it has less holes, the EcoBoost 1.0 costs more to manufacture than Ford’s venerable four-cylinder engine. It’s about $400 more than a Focus with the 1.6L, but its improved emissions can add up to tax savings for some buyers. Eventually, the 1.0L is going to be the base engine for the Focus, Fiesta, and several other models worldwide. The popularity of Ford’s 2.0L and 3.5L EcoBoost mills is expected to help the 1,0L gain complete acceptance here.

While the 1.0L display in Chicago was a small part of the attractions in the Ford booth, it was given prominent placement to catch the attention of visitors to America’s largest new-car venue. And the green “pool table” look subliminally carried the message that this is the “green” engine of the future.

Another view of the block.
Another view of the block.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Low friction pistons and forged-steel connecting rods.
Low friction pistons and forged-steel connecting rods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cast iron crankshaft and pulley.
Cast iron crankshaft and pulley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High-energy spark plugs and coil packs.
High-energy spark plugs and coil packs.

You May Also Like

LTR Engine Build

This Late Model Engines build is centered around Concept Performance’s new LTR block, which is the first aftermarket as-cast aluminum Gen V LT block. 

The Chevrolet LT engine family from General Motors is rooted in the early ‘70s, when the LT1 was featured in the Corvette and Camaro Z28. After a 20-year hiatus, GM reintroduced the platform in the early ‘90s. The “LT1 350” came out in 1991, and was distinct from the high-output Gen I LT1 of the 1970s. It displaced 5.7L (350 cu in), and was a two-valve per cylinder pushrod design. The LT1 used a reverse-flow cooling system, which cooled the cylinder heads first, maintaining lower combustion chamber temperatures and allowing the engine to run at a higher compression than its immediate predecessors.

A Look at Lead Times

Lead times are no longer months upon months as they were in the middle of 2020 and throughout 2021, but the situation is still of some concern, and it’s forced engine builders to get creative at times.

LS Intake Manifolds

LS swaps are popular for many reasons, but there are a lot of variations and details to sort through – more of them than you may expect – and many of them are associated with the intake manifold.

Choosing the Correct Block for Your LS Engine Build

Whether you’re scouring junkyards, ordering cores, investigating factory options, looking at aftermarket cast iron or aluminum blocks, or spending big bucks on billet LS blocks, you’ve probably noticed it’s been harder to find exactly what you want for the foundation of your LS build than it historically has.

Open Loop/Closed Loop and Learning

Closed-loop control can be programmed to either add or subtract up to a certain percentage of fuel in order for the engine to reach the target air/fuel ratio.

Other Posts

Reviewing Callies’ Ultra I-Beam Connecting Rods

For our small block Ford build, we opted for a set of Callies’ Ultra I-beam connecting rods. We went with a 6.200″ rod that features a Chevy rod journal, despite our engine being a Ford platform. This rod’s quality construction and strong material make it a great choice for numerous applications and engines. Related Articles

Pfitzner Performance Gearboxes’ TREMEC T56-TR 6060 Performance Gearbox Range

Having created the first sequential-operation 6-speed gearsets for the TREMEC T56 – TR-6060 range, PPG has introduced complete billet aluminum-encased units for these gearboxes.

Dart SHP Small Block Ford Cylinder Heads

Designed to work with most off-the-shelf components, these heads offer an excellent street, strip, oval track, truck, or marine performance upgrade.

Twin-Turbo 429 cid Ford Boss Engine

Earl Schexnayder of Schexnayder Racing is a Ford guy through and through. As such, he has been entering drag-and-drive events with his 2000 Cobra Mustang and a twin-turbo 429 Ford Boss engine since 2011. Check out what makes this Ford combo a sweet one!