When I’m running, I get lots of weird ideas. Today, I thought, why not use torsion bars for valve springs in engines, instead of the usual coil spring? Benefits should include- less moving mass, adjustable pre-load, and… well that’s all.
So, this falls into the “new-old” ideas category – apparently was done as far back as the 50’s- even this clunker had them – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panhard_Dyna_Z
And some F1 cars and bikes have used them with good effect. So, good new-old idea 😉