When you see the horsepower numbers on an engine, you need to remember that number is just from one point on the power curve of an engine. When you are talking an engine that operates over a broad RPM range, … Continue reading
Category Archives: Technical
If you have been around cars, or people who like cars, you have probably heard the term compression ratio. In the most simple terms, an engines compression ratio is the ratio between the volume of the cylinder with the piston … Continue reading
I have been thinking about upgrading transmissions. Since I have a 1966 Impala sitting in the garage that we are not ready to start on yet, it is fun to think about what I would want to do with it … Continue reading
I was reading an article in a car magazine over the weekend, and they were reviewing a new car that was available with continuously variable transmissions as an option. It seems that continuously variable transmissions have a bad reputation, at least with the automotive … Continue reading
Today I thought I would talk about how differentials work. I realize that for the most part, differentials are not the most glamorous part of a car. In fact, on most cars, you can hardly even see them. How ever … Continue reading
After taking about transmissions yesterday, I thought I would take a step back and look at gearing in a car. In this case (with muscle cars) the gearing in the rear end. The gearing in the rear end directly affects … Continue reading
Modern cars have transmissions with more gears than muscle cars did. In the 60’s, cars came with a two or three speed automatic, or a three or four speed manual. Modern cars have at least a four speed if they … Continue reading
I have been thinking about E85 since I recently bought a Dodge Grand Caravan that is a flex fuel vehicle. I won’t get into the politics of E85, and if it is good or bad, just from an objective view. … Continue reading
After yesterdays post about turbochargers, I thought I would write about adding a turbocharger to your muscle car. This will just be an overview, since the needed parts and steps would be different for each case. The first thing you would … Continue reading
After writing about Oversteer Vs Understeer yesterday, I thought I would write about some basic handling upgrades for your muscle car. Like I said yesterday, with most muscle cars, going around corners was not a priority when the suspension was designed. … Continue reading