Design of Racing and High Performance Engines

Book excerpt: This book presents, in a clear and easy-to-understand manner, the basic principles involved in the design of high performance engines. Editor Joseph Harralson first compiled this collection of papers for an internal combustion engine design course he teaches at the California State University of Sacramento. Topics covered include: engine friction and output; design of high performance cylinder heads; multi-cylinder motorcycle racing engines; valve timing and how it effects performance; computer modeling of valve spring and valve train dynamics; correlation between valve size and engine operating speed; how flow bench testing is used to improve engine performance; and lean combustion. In addition, two papers of historical interest are included, detailing the design and development of the Ford D.O.H.C. competition engine and the coventry climax racing engine.