You don’t race dyno graphs, however, dyno graphs can provide the roadmap to go faster than the competition. By understanding how peak horsepower, the powerband, area under the horsepower curve and the actual shape of the power curve affect performance, the engine can be tuned to produce a curve that […]
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Braking 101: The System, Physics and Science of the Motion Management
For a car to be of use, it must be able to start, steer and stop. The purpose of an automotive braking system is to allow the driver to be able to decelerate or slow the vehicle as they see fit. Road conditions, speed limits and obstructions make the braking […]
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Sonic Clarity: Putting the Plus into OEM Sound Systems
Who buys aftermarket car audio equipment these days? Many of today’s factory installed audio systems come integrated into the dash and include many desirable features straight from the manufacturer. Some automakers enlisted the help of boutique audio system manufacturers to design and deliver a premium, enhanced sound system. However, not […]
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Differentials 101: Solving the Differential Equation
Many people assume that at least two wheels receive power from the drivetrain. Their logic assumes both front wheels pull a front-wheel-drive vehicle or both rear wheels push a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. In about 95 percent of all vehicles, this is an incorrect assumption. In actuality, almost all vehicles on the […]
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Clutch 101: Getting a Grip on Performance Clutches
The clutch is arguably one of the most important components to any manual transmission vehicle. It modulates the energy at the spinning flywheel and transfers it through the driveline to propel your car forward. For most vehicles, there are many clutch system upgrades. To select the most ideal clutch for […]
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Transmissions 101: Upgrades for Increased Torque Capacity and Optimized Performance
In the U.S., most enthusiasts don’t think about upgrading their vehicle’s transmission until it becomes absolutely necessary. By absolutely necessary, we mean the point at which the engine produces more torque than the transmission can handle. The end result is often broken shafts, bent forks and worn synchros. In Japan […]
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Turbocharger vs Supercharger – Forced Induction and Big Power Explained
More power. We all want it and there is usually more than one way to get it. Serious solutions will involve a “power adder” in the form of a supercharger, turbocharger or nitrous-oxide injection system. These power adders can add anywhere from 30-to-300-percent more power. Since the previous section was […]
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Ignition 101: Understanding Ignition Systems for Maximum Performance
In the 4-stroke symphony performing in your engine bay, when a spark plug misses its cue and doesn’t fire, the results are definitely not harmonious. There is a loss of power and fuel is sent through the engine without ever extracting any of its energy. All of your attempts to […]
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Nitrous Oxide 101: The Last Laugh
More power at the push of a button. We’ve all been in a situation where we wished we could just floor the throttle, hit a button and have an extra 50, 100 or 150 horsepower to break-off an opponent while our car accelerates quicker than ever before. What sounds like […]
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ECU 101: Engine Management Systems Explained
In many modern vehicles, more and more systems are controlled by microprocessors. As technologically advanced sensors are able to measure various engine and driving conditions on- the-fly, the input from these sensors is collected, analyzed and submitted to a master computer. This master computer, the engine control unit (ECU) or […]
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Camshaft Tech 101
While performance camshafts are the most important component selection on an “All-Motor” build, many underplay the importance of proper camshaft selection on forced-induction applications. However, the reality is that a proper set of cams might easily add 100 horsepower or more at the wheels without changing boost pressure. With or […]
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FUEL SYSTEMS 101: Ensuring Your System is Well-Fed
Your car’s fuel system encompasses the following components; the gas tank (or fuel cell), the fuel pump(s), the fuel rail(s), and the injectors. There are two main types of fuel delivery found in modern engines: the return system and the non-return fuel system. In a return-type system, the fuel not […]
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ENGINE 101 PART 2: Engine Basics for Dummies
Now that you know all of the basic parts of an engine and what they do, it’s time to understand how they work together in a system. Almost all cars use 4- stroke engines to turn the chemical energy of gasoline into power. Manipulation of the 4-stroke cycle is essential […]
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ENGINE 101 PART 1: Engine Basics for Dummies
DO YOU FIND THAT YOU’RE ADDICTED to the thrill and speed of driving fast, but don’t know the first thing about what’s actually going on under the hood? Do you want to know more about what’s happening without having to attend Auto Shop 101? Are you intimidated by the tech […]
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SUSPENSION 101: Everything You Wanted To Know About Vehicle Handling
Making your car handle well is a really complicated task if you overthink it. Ride frequencies, roll centers, camber curves, scrub radii; it’s enough to make you build show cars instead. So, I have an easy solution for you: ignore all of that stuff. Odds are that you can make […]
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