Whether you call it biting the bullet, or making the commitment, if you’re going to build high-performance engines you’re going to have to invest in tools.
Where did the term “hot rod” come from, anyway? One etymological theory for its source holds that a “rod” was a nickname for a camshaft, while another says it came from “hot roadster.”
In order to maintain emissions compliance, Mercedes-Benz engineers have to control the temperature range the engine will operate in and develop engine management parameters within this range. This may sound simple enough, but how do you accomplish this when the car might sit for an hour of traffic on a hot summer day, or cruise at highway speeds in the dead of winter?
Bill McKnight dispels any misconceptions you may have about multi-layer steel gaskets. This tough, high-precision type of gasket makes the old composite variety look downright primitive.
We’ll cover the highlights of crankshaft design and then we’ll discuss all the things you need to check before you load it in the block for the first time.
Providing our readers (professional auto service technicians who engage in high-performance pursuits) with more helpful and interesting information than they’ll find anywhere else.
Before Continuous Valve Timing Systems, engineers had to make a choice – optimize valve timing for a smooth efficient idle; optimize for top end power; or, most often, compromise somewhere in the middle, losing some efficiency on both ends.
Valve diameter, lift, and overlap are all contributing factors to the volumetric efficiency of an engine. If you can vary the relationship between the intake and exhaust valves you can broaden the power band and still have a smooth, clean idle. Variable valve timing is a great advance — as long as we can keep it working.
