Porsche’s Le Mans 919 Hybrid Turbo Four-Cylinder Engine
For the first time Porsche is showing images of the centrepiece of its Le Mans winning Porsche 919 Hybrid. Back in 2014, the company entered the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) with the most innovative drive concept on the entire grid: a turbo charged four-cylinder combustion engine.
Engine Bearings Under Pressure
Today’s hi-flow, aftermarket, CNC-ported cylinder heads, high lift killer cams and induction system power adders (blowers, turbos and nitrous) are making more power than ever before, and really hammering the bottom end of the engine. If the bearings can’t take it, the engine won’t last.
Oiling Systems for Grassroots Racing
Priority one when choosing an oiling system for any type of racing (grassroots or professional) is to establish what the rules allow and prohibit. Somebody has to read the rule book. Whether that’s you or your customer it doesn’t matter. The oiling system has to fit within the framework of the rule book. Period.
Connecting Rods
They say an engine is only as reliable as its weakest link. The connecting rods that join the pistons with the crank can be a strong link or a weak link depending on the rods that are used.
Parts Coatings
Whether it’s more horsepower, better throttle response, or better durability, everybody is looking for an edge when it comes to building a performance engine. Any of these can win races. So what kinds of tricks are winning engine builders using to get an edge over their competitors? Many are using highly specialized coatings.
Insane 12-Rotor Wankel Engine
This 12-rotor Wankel engine built by Tyson Garvin has three times the number of rotors found in Mazda’s Le Mans-winning 787B.
Picking a Racing Oil
How do racing oils differ from everyday motor oils? You might think all racing oils are synthetics, but they are not. Some use conventional mineral base oils, others use PAO and ester synthetics, and some are a blend of conventional and synthetic oils. It doesn’t really matter which way a racing oil is created as long as it meets the criteria for which it was designed.
The Evolution of Surface Treatments
In the never ending quest for better performance, durability and reliability, various types of surface coatings and treatments have evolved as solutions for problems that have vexed engine builders for years. Coatings that were once considered exotic race-only solutions are now being used on a wide variety of stock and performance applications. If you’re not
MSD Performance Spark Plugs
With over four decades of experience in designed and manufacturing high output ignition systems, it should be no surprise to learn that MSD is introducing a line of performance spark plugs. MSD’s new Iridium Spark Plugs are engineered and designed to be used on high performance, high output street engines. MSD used its involvement in NASCAR to
Chrysler Delivers V8 HEMI Hellcat on Wheels
The much-anticipated HEMI Hellcat engine is Dodge and SRT’s first application of V8 supercharger technology, delivering an amazing 600-plus horsepower. This supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 Hellcat engine is the most powerful V8 engine ever produced by the Chrysler Group. According to Chrysler, its breakthrough supercharged engine features a forged-steel crankshaft with induction-hardened bearing
Just in Time – Addressing Timing Component Replacement and Upgrades
The timing components that drive a camshaft affect valve timing, ignition timing (if the engine has a cam-driven distributor), compression, engine performance and fuel economy. Because of this, the timing components must be in good condition with minimal wear and slop, and they must be durable enough to maintain accurate timing for the service life
Pick-a-Part: Selecting Valvetrain Components for a Performance Build
Selecting the right components to make a race-worthy valvetrain is crucial to assembling an engine that will last – and win. The pushrods, rockers and valve springs must be able to handle all of the stresses of the camshaft rotating with high spring pressures and with huge lift. As we all know, weakness in any
Choosing the ‘Right’ Oil
Every engine builder knows the importance of using not only high-quality motor oil in an engine, but also an oil that has the right additive package and viscosity for the application. This is especially important in performance applications where extremes of heat and pressure can push many ordinary motor oils to the brink. Motor oil
Learning To Race Pro Stock
My transition in 1975 from bracket racing a 122˝ wheelbase mid-eleven second, two-ton ’57 Mercury to racing in a low nine-second 99˝ wheelbase, Pinto Pro Stock car, was quite a jump. I was jaded with bracket racing and wanted to run heads up – all out with a door car. So, Pro Stock was it.
Blast From the Past: Learning to Race Pro Stock
My transition in 1975 from bracket racing a 122˝ wheelbase mid-eleven second, two-ton ’57 Mercury to racing in a low nine-second 99˝ wheelbase, Pinto Pro Stock car, was quite a jump. I was jaded with bracket racing and wanted to run heads up – all out with a door car. So, Pro Stock was it.
Ed Pink’s Garage “Open For Business”
Hall of Fame engine builder Ed “The Old Master” Pink is embarking on a new chapter in his storied career, collaborating with long-time friend and associate Bob Brandt to launch “Ed Pink’s Garage” in Newbury Park, CA. The facility will be devoted to doing special projects that range from building and installing unique engines in
Racing Oils
The latest API-certified SN and ILSAC GF-5 motor oils are fine for everyday driving in late model vehicles, but most off-the-shelf motor oils (even many synthetics) come up short in the anti-wear department in a racing application – especially if the engine is running a flat-tappet cam or a radical roller cam with a lot
Racing Oils
Performance engines built for racing deserve the best possible lubrication. Ordinary street oils don’t cut it on a race track. By Larry Carley The latest API-certified SN and ILSAC GF-5 motor oils are fine for everyday driving in late model vehicles, but most off-the-shelf motor oils (even many synthetics) come up short in the anti-wear
BorgWarner Presents Trophy To Indianapolis 500 Winner Tony Kanaan
Following the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500, BorgWarnerPresident and CEO James Verrier presented Tony Kanaan with the Borg-Warner Trophy in Victory Lane. Tony Kanaan ‘s sterling silver imagewill be the 100th added to the prestigious and historic trophy, joiningevery winner of the "Greatest Race in History." "The Borg-Warner Trophy symbolizes a long tradition
Valve Seats & Guides
Most engine builders worth their salt know that with the components and technology available today, it’s not that difficult of a task to make horsepower. With the availability of so many performance parts – whether it’s from the OEM or the aftermarket – engine builders can pull from vast resources to achieve a balance between