Building an engine

[Styria]

The internet has many videos depicting the assembly and building of an engine. In this instance, we are dealing with the Ferrari V12 - not the flat horizontically opposed 12 cylinder as in the Testa Rossa.

I unashamedly admit that I love the classical music that accompanies the video - particularly the first featuring a Verdi (?) chorus - can anyone confirm one way or the other. Additionally, when one looks at all the components etc. etc., you have to ask yourself where is the power coming from - say the difference between, in this instance, maybe 200 horses or the more appropriate figure of perhaps 450 or thereabouts.

I mean, a crankshaft is a crankshaft, like any other. The same applies to cams, whether single, double or quads. Many engines have four valves, and two heads, thus the question is this: How does one get additional horsepower from one engine to the next. Anyone care to elaborate ? Regards Styria

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdcoVurVY30

 

[abl567]

It's a bit like the the old adage, Quality, Service, Price. Choose any two
Horsepower, Refinement, Reliability. Choose any two

 

[BenzBoy]

Not all crankshafts were born equal and that is where it begins but does not end ...
Regards,
B

 

[Michel]

I mean, a crankshaft is a crankshaft, like any other. The same applies to cams, whether single, double or quads. Many engines have four valves, and two heads, thus the question is this: How does one get additional horsepower from one engine to the next.
Regards Styria

A small explanation for you Godfather... specifically about the parts you mentioned. I really don't want to break down how an engine works with every item (I am sure you know how).

Camshaft:
The two important aspects of a camshaft, in terms of engine performance, are camshaft duration, or cam duration, and valve lift.
Both cam duration and valve lift are determined by the camshaft lobe.
Cam duration is the time that at least one valve of a cylinder remains open, measured in degrees rotation of the crankshaft, while valve lift is the maximum distance the valve head travels.

Crankshaft
The crankshaft is the working arm of the engine. All the force generated by combustion and the downward motion of the pistons is focused on the crank throws.
The leverage effect of the force exerted on the crank journals twists the shaft and converts the up-and-down reciprocating motion of the pistons into rotational motion of the crankshaft.
This creates torque that the crankshaft uses to turn the flywheel and rest of the drivetrain.
The rotating mass of the crankshaft combined with that of the flywheel and harmonic balancer also creates inertia and momentum that keeps everything spinning.
This gives the crankshaft enough energy to push the pistons up on the compression and exhaust strokes, and to pull air and fuel into the cylinders on the intake stroke.
By requiring more power, you are placing more pressure on the crankshaft, thus requiring a stronger crank made of different material (forged or billet steel vs. cast steel).

Valves
A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher RPMs than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.
Typically four-stroke internal combustion engine need at least two valves per cylinder: one for intake of air and fuel and another for exhaust of combustion gases.
Adding more valves increases valve area and improves the flow of intake and exhaust gases, thereby enhancing combustion.

Hope that helps

 

[sean sherry]

Rev it.... 18000 RPM equals a lot of power strokes , better still 24000RPM from 250cc Grand prix Honda Bikes. Not much Torque I grant you but a lot of H. P.
The 50cc G.P. two stroke Bikes that pulled out and past the 125cc Racing Bultaco's had very high Revs , plus 13 gears. ( no torque.) Just keep them on the Power Band, probably about 200RPM wide !

 

[Styria]

Rev it.... 18000 RPM equals a lot of power strokes , better still 24000RPM from 250cc Grand prix Honda Bikes. Not much Torque I grant you but a lot of H. P.
The 50cc G.P. two stroke Bikes that pulled out and past the 125cc Racing Bultaco's had very high Revs , plus 13 gears. ( no torque.) Just keep them on the Power Band, probably about 200RPM wide !

Sean, back in the '70s, I used to race a Honda 125cc Elsinore. That bike was really the beginning of perceived Honda supremacy in the Moto Cross world. As referred by you to torque figures, that Elsinore had no torque, but a power band probably starting from 9000 rpm. It was either all, or nothing. Regards Styria

 

[Styria]

Talking of building an engine, I found this video about the AMG variety quite interesting. I must admit that I don't see a lot of skill in the assembly of this engine - everything is done for the guy BEFORE he gets his hands on any of the components. In fact, it's all machinery, but I was surprised that he did actually carry a couple of components. Look out for that part of the video. As I said, all the work is done beforehand.

When I think back putting together partially rebuilt Rover V8 and 6 cylinder engines, I tend to think that my task was three times harder, and took ten times as long. Regards Styria

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xuc8sVERy6Q