The term “Cylinder Index” (CI) was coined by Joe Soucheray, a columnist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and a radio talk-show host here in the Twin Cities. ( http://www.am1500.com/gl/index.shtml , check it out) He hosts a show called Garage Logic. Here is a quote from the Mayor of Garage Logic:

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"It's a place where common sense prevails, the 2-car garage is revered and cigar smoking is allowed (and lawyers aren't).

When you visit G.L., you'll be greeted with the melodic harmonies of power tools at work and the sweet, aromatic blend of cigars and motor oil. For recreation, you can tee it up on Creature Path™ golf course, go fishing in Spoon Lake, or catch a Fighting Stogies game at the University of Garage Logic (where you can also enroll in a course on personal responsibility)."

Back to the CI.

You calculate it by adding up all the cylinders of internal combustion engines that you have in your household. That includes cars and trucks and other fun rides that you don’t drive every day; original engines for those car/other rides, any other crate engine, other car/truck engines that you have the parts to build, motorcycles and ATVs, tractors, lawnmowers, boats, snow blowers, Roto-Tillers, leaf blowers, chain saws, ice augers, gas-powered generators and other powered tools, even those old Cox gas-powered scale model C2 split-window coupes with .049-cubic-inch single-cylinder engines. Pretty any item with an Internal Combustion Engine.

Having a large CI is just like having a lot of tools…or a lot of anything that’s considered “guy stuff,” even though the CI is something that can be calculated by anyone, anywhere, any time.

The way Joe explains it is that an acceptable CI is equal to or greater than your age.

I am 43 and my cylinder index should be 43. It is only 26,:disappoin but I will be adding to it soon. Looking for a 84 Mustang GT and a 78 Fiat spider.

What's your CI?

I fell short of where I should be at. I was surprised that I came up with 57, thinking it would have been less. I've been cutting back for a while now and was well over a hundred a few years ago.

I've actually been cutting back for years. I'm currently at 17, my lowest total since I got married over 30 years ago. I don't even own a gas-powered lawn mower any more. these days I save my cylinders for the things that count.

3 cars and a spare V8 puts me at 28. I guess I'm doing okay for a 25 year old guy.

Nowhere near what my dad has though, at least 71 that I can think of while not counting any motors he has laying about (another 28).

Another idea would be to calculate your combined amount of displacement. Mine'd be 1,229 cubic inches.

I wonder if Joe has an allowance for air compressor pistons?

Edited December 13, 200816 yr by blue 72

  geezer said:

I was surprised that I came up with 57, thinking it would have been less..

57 is not a number to be ashamed about. Good work.

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I don't even own a gas-powered lawn mower any more.

Arne, tell me it's because you live in a condo....

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3 cars and a spare V8 puts me at 28. I guess I'm doing okay for a 25 year old guy.

Your doing great! Just be sure to keep ahead of the curve, it's very easy to get caught behind the eight ball.

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Nowhere near what my dad has though, at least 71 that I can think of while not counting any motors he has laying about (another 28).

If you live in the same house you can "claim" those cylinders then divide the total in half. (It's a rule)

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Oh, and do air compressor pistons count?

Only if they are gas/diesel/kerosene powered. Internal Combustion Engines only.

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Another idea would be to calculate your combined amount of displacement. Mine'd be 1,229 cubic inches.

I'm pretty sure I have seen an index like that before. Not sure how you would calculate an appropriate ratio of age/cubic inches.

Blue, you changed your post a little, my reply may confuse some people but I'll leave it for now.

Edited December 13, 200816 yr by JohnnyO

4 V8 vans

3 Honda motorcycles

2 Datsun z's

1 Mower

1 Stihl chainsaw

1 Weedeater

1 Br500 leafblower

1 Powerwasher

1 3000 Watt generator

1 Corvette

= 70 cylinders , I'm 42

More interesting would be a reference to average horsepower per cylinder!

Edited December 13, 200816 yr by Unkle
missed age

That's quite an impressive collection there Unkle. Not sure how you could come up with an age/horsepower ratio. Divide your age by the total horsepower you own, but what would be a good number.

Joe would say "that's way too much math" I'd agree with Joe....

240Z 6

Alpha1 GTO Replica 6

300ZX 6

Datsun Roadster 4

280zx 6

Volvo 6

Dodge truck 8

2 spare L28Ets 12

Riding Mower 4

chainsaw 1

Weedwhacker 1

RC Z (Nitro?) 1

Generator 4

13 Zs at the farm 108

11 Roadsters at the farm 44

Farm Tractor 8

Total 233

I think I reached the point where CI may stand for Cholesterol Index...and my age is seriously overshadowed...

Will

PS, Don't you just hate Proportional spacing for lining things up?

Unless there is a member who is a car dealer , Will wins ! Oh , I would

have left the Volvo out .....:laugh:

Hmm, let's see.

280Z 6

Toyota 4x4 6

Toy 4Runner 6

Parts car Z 6

Spare engines(3) 18

Lawnmower 1

String trimmer 1

Leaf blower 1

Power washer 1

Snow blower 1

Dirt Bikes (3) 3

model planes(3) 3

Total 53

I'm pretty low at only 21...

I'm a 34.....

But deep down I think there should be a multiplier for engines that are multi-use.

Not just a Z - zdisease