They look simple enough. They are just half circles of thin metal usually sporting a semi-dull finish. Nowadays, some even sport a coating. In reality, those simple-looking engine bearings are the result of complex sciences and manufacturing processes. Understanding the function, the history and the ways of optimizing the performance […]
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Cylinder Head 101: Getting the Chambers and Ports In Shape
Like the cylinder block, the cylinder head is also responsible for holding a number of other components, namely the valvetrain. The valve guides, valve seats, valves, valve springs, valve retainers, valve locks, buckets, followers, lash caps and camshafts are all fitted to the cylinder head. In addition to this responsibility, […]
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Engine Fasteners 101: Keeping It All Together
The power potential of an engine platform increases as you increase the redline potential of the engine. However, one would assume that doubling the engine RPM doubles the load on all of the reciprocating components. In fact, the actual relationship between engine speed and load is as follows. The load […]
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Head Gasket 101: The Ultimate Matchmaker
Metal. liquid, or composite, the main function of any gasket is the same: seal the deal. Depending on the pressures to be contained, the flatness of the mating surfaces and the fluid being transferred there’s an ideal material and design for the gasket. Nearly all critical sealing surfaces on high-performance […]
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Engine Bearings 101 | Constructed, Crushed, & Clearanced for Max Performance
An engine’s main and rod bearings rarely get the spotlight. They aren’t shiny like pistons or massive like a crankshaft or connecting rods. They are simply a bunch of half- circle shells of metal that get little respect and little attention in most engine builds. In reality, the purpose served […]
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Rotating Assembly 101: Rods, Pistons, and Crank
Imagine accelerating from a dead stop up to a average velocity approaching 5,000 feet-per- minute and back down to a dead stop 125 times every second. Now, imagine doing this in an environment seeing combustion gasses in excess of 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit. Sounds like Hell and that’s exactly what each […]
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Engine Block Tech 101: Go Bigger or Go Stronger the Right Way
Bigger, stronger, or both bigger and stronger? When performance goals require increased engine displacement or projected cylinder pressures and power levels exceed factory block capabilities, the engine block will need to be addressed. The engine block serves as the foundation for the entire engine. Its primary purpose is to establish […]
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TOMEI POWERED Dissects the FA20 | Flat Four
If the Toyota 4AG is a firecracker, the Subaru/Toyota FA20 is a stick of dynamite. Featuring direct injection, high compression, four valves per cylinder, and variable valve timing for both intake and exhaust events, the FA20 showcases today’s latest engine technologies. This compact, all-aluminum, 2.0-liter boxer engine delivers performance through […]
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Car Care 101: Keeping the Shine Alive
As car enthusiasts, we sometimes overlook one important facet of car care. This doesn’t refer to general engine maintenance or being able to perform your own repair work; we’re actually talking about keeping a car’s finish clean and protected from the elements. All too often, a proud owner will be […]
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Surface Rust Removal: Eliminate the Iron Oxide, Bring Out the Healthy Metal
Rust. It’s ugly, it’s a sign of deterioration and it’s never a positive indication of the condition of parts. While hipsters are into the “patina” look, the rest of the population avoids rusty parts, especially since parts being prepared for fabrication or paint do not benefit from this layer of […]
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Performance Fluids 101: Get Your Car On The Right Liquid Diet
For performance enthusiasts, a lot of thinking goes into the parts purchased and installed on their project vehicles. Sometimes it’s tempting to save a few bucks by not using performance fluids on your vehicle so that you can get that new electronic boost controller or strut tower brace. The quality […]
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Why and How to Degree Your DOHC Engine | Proper Camshaft Timing for Peak Performance and Minimal Headaches
Have you decked your block? Resurfaced your head? Installed an aftermarket crankshaft or camshafts? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, your camshaft timing may not be what the camshaft manufacturer specified. Improper cam timing can lead to reduced performance, increased fuel consumption and an increased likelihood of […]
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Aero & Body 101: Using Aero To Cheat The Air
Remember studying aeropalmetics as a kid? This is where you stick your arm out the passenger window while mom is driving. When you would tilt the forward (leading edge) part of you palm-down hand up, your arm would lift up. Tilting the leading edge of your hand down would cause […]
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Learning Curves | Recognizing a Race-Friendly Dyno Graph
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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