Name: Nguyen Quang Anh

ID: 20183186

Class: FL1-06

GDI ENGINE VS PORT INJECTION ENGINE 

In history, Port Fuel Injected (PFI) design is the most popular internal combustion
engines in the world (Aftonchemical, n.d). However, the U.S. fuel economy standards have
resulted in adopting cars equipped with gasoline direct-injection (GDI) engines, which has
grown 48.5 % in the U.S in 2007 (Singth, 2018). Since then, normal consumers have had
problems in identifying and choosing what system would be used in their cars. Both engines
share some similarities, but there are also major differences between the two types. This essay
aims to compare the GDI engine and port injection engine in 3 categories: structure,
performance, and cost.
         Firstly, the structure of the two engines is quite similar. They share the same components,
such as the intake valve, exhaust valve, spark plug, cylinder head, and combustion chamber, etc.
Furthermore, most of the components are in the same position. However, the main difference is
the position of the fuel injector. In the port injection engine, the fuel injectors are mounted in the
intake manifold, which leads to the air-fuel mixture is sucked into the cylinder head when the
intake valve is open. While in the GDI engine, the fuel injectors are placed in the cylinder head,
and the air-fuel mixing process happens inside the cylinder head instead of the intake manifold
when the intake valve opens (Aftonchemical, n.d). 
          In general, the performance of the GDI engine is better than the port injection engine. Port
injection engines often operate in the range from 30 to 60 PSI, while the GDI system can spray
up to 15,000 PSI on some vehicles because it is sprayed under very high pressure (Kostuchowsk,
2018). GDI engine brings more power and better fuel economy. There is a 10-15% improvement
in some applications compared to the port injection engine (Turner, 2016). Because of the higher
compression ratio related to the timing and amount of fuel injected, the GDI improves fuel
efficiency and performance. Despite some advantages, the GDI system has some flaws in its
performance. Kostuchowsk also said that carbon could build up on the intake valves’ backside of
the direct injection, which can confuse the computer code and result in ignition failing or engine
missing. While in the port injection system, the fuel is sprayed on the intake valves’ backside and
cleans the valves, which does not lead to carbon buildup (2018). 
There is also a difference in the price between the two systems. Because the fuel injectors
in GDI systems are situated inside of the combustor, the materials that made the injectors have to
have good quality. Furthermore, expensive high-pressure fuel pumps must maintain the high
pressure while the fuel is injected directly into the cylinders. In contrast, it is much less costly to
produce port injection systems. Because the fuel injectors are not in contact with the high
temperature and high pressure of the combustor, and they do not require to maintain high fuel
pressures, the materials to make injectors are cheaper (Kostuchowsk, 2018).
In conclusion, GDI engine and port injection engine share some similarities and
differences. Firstly, the structures of the two engines are almost identical with the only difference
is the position of the fuel injector. In the GDI engine, the fuel injector is situated in the cylinder
head; while in the port injection engine, it is mounted in the intake manifold. There is also a
difference in performance, which the GDI engine overall is better than the port injection engine.
Finally, because of the expensive materials required to make the GDI engine, the port injection
system is cheaper.
References
Aftonchemical. (n.d.). Port Fuel Injection vs. Gasoline Direct Injection. Retrieved December 22,
gggg 2020, from https://bit.ly/3oyUW5n.

Kostuchowski, J. (2018, August 31). DIRECT INJECTION VS PORT INJECTION

ddcccREMANUFACTURED ENGINES. Retrieved December 22, 2020, from
ddccchttps://bit.ly/33Qx59y.

Singh, S. (2018). Comparison of Fuel Economy and Gaseous Emissions of Gas-Direct Injection
gggg versus Port-Fuel Injection Light Duty Vehicles Based on Real-World Measurements.
fffffffffRetrieved December 22, 2020, from https://bit.ly/3mZctTO.

Turner, B. (2016, November 10). Does direct injection cause more problems than it solves?.
fffffffffRetrieved December 22, 2020, from https://bit.ly/2JWZF1M.