Engine power - history and practical recommendations

With the advent of an internal combustion engine, manufacturers faced the question of how to increase engine power. The first motors were constructed very irrationally. Virtually all the parts were made of steel or cast iron, which made the mechanisms heavy, inert and short-lived. For example, in the middle of the 20th century an automobile engine with a capacity of 100 horsepower weighed almost half a ton. For comparison, in modern cars the motor of similar capacity weighs less than 150 kg.

To achieve this, manufacturers first of all improved the mechanical component of the engine: they selected materials, alloys, developed and introduced technological innovations, in which the advanced achievements of metallurgy and chemistry were embodied. For example, the use of aluminum pistons could increase engine power by more than 20 percent due to a reduction in its weight and frictional force. It should be noted that aluminum in its pure form in the car is not used, but its alloys with magnesium, silicon, manganese and chromium are used.

Improvements in the fuel system and ignition system also allowed to significantly increase engine power. Carburetors of the surface type replaced the float, which were first single-chamber, then multi-chamber. And then came the era of injector systems, which went a long way from mechanical monoinjectors to modern multi-point direct injection systems.

In passing, the ignition system was also improved: from a simple breaker to electronic microprocessors. No modern motor can do without electronic control systems that take into account all the parameters relating to the engine's operation - air temperature and density, vehicle speed, the position of the gas pedal, the crankshaft, the camshaft, the chemical composition of the exhaust gases, etc. As a result of processing the received data, the electronic system determines the optimum amount of fuel to be supplied to the engine and the moment of ignition of the fuel-air mixture. Thus, the most efficient operation of the gasoline engine is achieved .

Increasing the power of a diesel engine is most often achieved by using a turbocharger that pumps a larger volume of air into the cylinder due to the energy of the exhaust gases. Also, to improve the efficiency of fuel combustion in modern diesel engines, the "Common Rail" system is used.

There are many ways to boost the power of the internal combustion engine. However, we should not forget that interference in the design of the engine is not only a fairly complex and time-consuming process, but also very costly. We need high-precision machines, special alloys and materials. Obviously, not all motorists will be able to spend on the engine forcing an amount comparable to half the cost of the car.

What can you do to ensure that the engine's power is always at an altitude?

First of all, it is necessary to check that all factory settings are normal. The oil that is used in the engine must match the viscosity and qualification.

To reduce losses at the air intake, it is recommended to use zero-resistance filters - the so-called "zeroes" - good, now there is a huge selection of such filters. They can vary in form, size, mounting methods, recommended engine capacity. Due to the fact that the manufacturers of filters produce adapters for the most common types of engines, installing such a filter will not require significant effort and cost.

The increase in engine power also directly depends on the modernization of the exhaust system. It should be noted that if there is no ready-made system for your car, then it's best to apply to SRTs that specialize in exhaust systems.