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Author Archives: Kevin Gertgen

When a Pound weighs more than a Pound

Sir Issac Newton in the 1700s developed the most important equation in all physics and dynamics, Force = Mass x Acceleration. 

Posted byKevin GertgenOctober 2, 2008Posted inCircle Track / Road Racing, Drag Racing, Engine Building, Street PerformanceTags: Acceleration, Rotating Inertia, Vehicle Performance, Vehicle Weight

Torque vs Horsepower, which is more important?

You’ve probably heard various racers and engine builders/tuners talk about torque vs HP. 

Posted byKevin GertgenSeptember 5, 2008Posted inCircle Track / Road Racing, Drag Racing, Engine Building, Street PerformanceTags: Drag Racing, engine performance, optimum gear ratio, shift RPM

Something for Nothing (power gains from reducing engine friction)

Most engine builders only think of producing more power by making modifications which allow the engine to “breath better”. 

Posted byKevin GertgenAugust 17, 2008July 8, 2011Posted inEngine BuildingTags: Efficiency Engine Analyzer, Friction, Mechanical Efficiency

Cam Test Stand: What follower to use?

I had a question from a potential customer for the Cam Test Stand.  He asked, “Do I need to use a different follower for each type of cam I measure?”

Posted byKevin GertgenAugust 6, 2008Posted inEngine BuildingTags: Cam Test Stand, camshaft measurement, flat tappet, roller follower

Engine Analyzer Pro’s Valve Train Dynamics vs SpinTron

The higher you can rev the race engine (providing it can breath well) the higher the power output.   The valve train has been one of the major roadblocks

Posted byKevin GertgenJuly 18, 2008July 20, 2008Posted inEngine BuildingTags: Valve Bounce, Valve Loft, Valve Motion, Valve Toss, Valve Train Dynamics, Valve Train Simulation

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

The hot rodders and racers of today have a pretty easy time building 1 HP per cube or more. 

Posted byKevin GertgenJuly 14, 2008June 22, 2010Posted inEngine Building

Oversquare, Undersquare, and Bore/Stroke Ratio

Oversquare vs undersquare referrs to the Bore/Stroke ratio of an engine.  If the bore is larger than the stroke, the engine is considered to be oversquare. 

Posted byKevin GertgenJuly 2, 2008September 22, 2010Posted inEngine BuildingTags: Bore Stroke Ratio, Bore/Stroke Ratio, Oversquare Engine, Undersquare Engine

Boy, gas is high!

With gas approaching $4 a gallon and diesel well north of that, everyone is interested in squeezing every last mile out of every fillup.  

Posted byKevin GertgenApril 30, 2008July 8, 2011Posted inStreet PerformanceTags: fuel economy, gas mileage, MPG

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