Why run it hot?

[Dirk Wright]

On Mon, 16 Sep 1996, Thor Johnson wrote:

> 
> A lot of traffic relating to ceramics/keeping exhaust hot has been 
> passing through...  Why would I want to do this?  Is it just for 
> TurboCharging, or is it useful in other respects?I thought gas blew up 
> best when cold... enlighten me f I'm wrong.
> 

Hotter exhaust gas translates to higher gas velocity, which aides 
scavanging during the exhuast stroke. It's a racer trick to get a little 
more power out of the engine. Also, using an insulating header wrap 
reduces temperatures under the hood, which also helps to make a little 
more power by keeping fuel lines cooler. As Todd has pointed out, things 
aren't always what they seem, and a good idea can lead to serious 
consequences depending on the application.


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Dirk Wright 					            wright at uspto.gov
"I speak for myself and not my employer."               1974 Porsche 914 2.0
"A real hifi glows in the dark and has horns."            1965 Goodman House
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