One of the best things about learning from Smitty is how he intuitively approaches engineering topics. One essential topic of conversation is the fundamentals of increasing horsepower. To keep it simple, horsepower all comes down to:
- How much air the engine can inhale,
- How much chemical energy the fuel provides,
- How much physical force the engine components can withstand, and
- How much thermal energy the engine can dissipate.
During World War II, the horsepower – and dominance – of fighter bomber aircraft was limited by #4. More specifically, the fighter bombers of the USA, Great Britain, and Germany were each overheating their poppet exhaust valves, ultimately limiting the horsepower they could produce.
Start with a dance, and learn about the essentials of power and the exhaust valve developments of World War II with Smitty!
Previously posted on Valves:
What are valves and why do they matter?
In the first series of Turn 4 Academy videos, Smitty gives a quick introduction to the poppet valve design that is nearly ubiquitous in internal combustion engines. What are valves? (Doors!) Anatomy of a Poppet (Mushroom or Tulip) Valve Intake & Exhaust Valves: Materials & Trade-offs
