Engines: The Power Behind Auto Racing (Part 3)
Aside from increasing displacement or adding cylinders, there are also many other affordable and easy ways to boost an engine’s power.
One way is to increase the compression ratio. The more compressed the fuel and air mixture inside of the engine, the more power it will give when it combusts. However, the highly compressed mixture has the tendency to spontaneously combust. This results
in wasted fuel and power, along with chances of damaging your engine. If the compression ratio is to be increased, then it is suggested to use high-octane petrol. This petrol has a higher compression ratio and does not spontaneously combust. Typical high performance
sport car engines require using high-octane, because they have a higher compression ratio than normal engines.
Another way to increase an engine’s performance is to cram more air into the cylinders. This can be achieved by utilizing a turbocharger or supercharger. A turbocharger bolts onto the car engine’s exhaust outlet. Their exhaust fumes turn a fan in the turbo
that suck air in and compress it. The compressed air is then thrust into the cylinder resulting in a larger combustion. A supercharger has the same purpose, but instead of using exhaust fumes to power the fan, it utilizes a belt. For most enthusiasts, a turbocharger
is easier to install, but most race cars use superchargers, since they produce significantly higher compressed air.
Cooling the air that goes into the engine also increases power. Since hot air expands less during combustion, cooler air should be used since it will expand much more. Those using a turbocharger or supercharger should definitely install a device known as
an intercooler. This radiator-type device cools the compressed air that goes into the engine and is a must for those with turbo or superchargers, since compressing air drastically increases its temperature.
Aside from compressing or cooling the air, one could allow air to come into the engine more easily. This can be accomplished by installing a larger air filter. Newer vehicles have polished intake manifolds that move easily, creating less air resistance.
Air resistance also makes your engine work harder and does not produce as much power. This can be understood by thinking of a stuffy nose. A vehicles air intake is what a nose is to a human. When one is sick, their nose is stuffed and it’s difficult for them
to breathe through it and they feel weak from a deprivation of oxygen. The same idea applies to engines. If an engine does not get enough air, then it has to work harder to produce power, and yet will not produce to its maximum potential.
Another form of air resistance can also take place in the engine. Instead of the air taken in, the exhaust fumes given out can also cause reduced power. Standard exhausts on cars are designed more for noise-reduction and reduced emissions that performance,
so a good way to increase performance by increasing exhaust flow would be to install an aftermarket exhaust. An aftermarket exhaust allows air to flow out of the manifold easily and dramatically increases performance. “Dual exhausts” can also be used, since,
instead of one, there are two exhausts leading the fumes out of the engine.
Another way to deal with the exhaust air resistance would be to add a second exhaust valve to each cylinder. A typical engine has two valves, one for air to come into the cylinder and one for the exhaust. Most people have heard car ads saying that the vehicle
is a four cylinder with 16 valves, or a 24-valve V6. This means that each cylinder has four valves, two for air intake and two for exhaust output.
Weight is another major factor that can change the performance of an engine. Changing parts of the engine to lighter, yet still sturdy, material produces more power since each time a piston stops and moves again in the other direction, it robs the engine
of potential energy that could be transferred into performance.
Just one easy way to increase the performance of an engine remains, which will be discussed in the next article. Also, we will take a look at common questions that people have about engines.
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