FORGED ENGINE BUILDS
You know you want a fully-built engine.
The only problem is you’re not exactly sure what that fully-built engine should be made up of.
The guy with the slicks on the front of his GTI tells you it’s got something to do with all sorts of expensive moving bits above that oil pan.
The guy with the Supra says it’s also got something to do with how big that turbo is and what sort of ECU you’ve got, and the guy with the tight pants and the vape pipe says it most definitely has something to do with you having a colour-coordinated valve cover.
Historically, the term’s been used to describe the degree to which an engine’s been strengthened by way of stronger internal components, and historically, it’s got nothing to do with horsepower, turbos, or even colour-coordinated valve covers.
Today, though, for some, the term isn’t just limited to strength.
For some, it represents power output; for others, certain key engine bits that have no bearing on durability have been replaced or modified; and still for others, whether that valve cover matches those lug nuts.
The interpretations are many, which means you were listening to what a few industry experts think it means might do you some good.
WHAT PRESHEN SAYS IT MEANS
“The definition of a fully built engine is subjective, but it almost always comes down to making everything more robust.
Unless you’re the guy with the tight pants, that’ll almost always consist of forged pistons and rods that are beefier than the cast factory ones.
Along with ductile-iron cylinders that won’t crack under high pressure and a valve train capable of lofty engine speeds.
Then it would help if you had ductile iron hardware that can hold it all together and the machining that’ll make everything happy.”
BUILT WITH PURPOSE
DRAG
Drag engines use more heavy-duty components, like thick-wall wristpins, custom pistons, and high-tension piston rings, Preshen says when comparing those sorts of internals to something you might find on a street-based engine.
Aluminum connecting rods are also prevalent as are bearing clearances that tend to be slightly looser, he says, both of which won’t bode well for engines that have to endure more than a quick burst down the strip.
CIRCUIT
In Time Attack, we all want an engine that can do it all: make massive horsepower like a drag motor, combine that with the driveability of a road racing engine, and throw in the reliability of a street car.
Striking the correct balance is the trick, though, as each has its strong and weak points.
Endurance and road race engines will use steel connecting rods rather than aluminium and will be using lightweight components.
Clearances will also be on the tight end.
DRIFT
According to Preshen, when it comes to putting something together with drifting in mind, it’s all about the powerband.
““Powerband”, the location of that powerband, and how broad that powerband is, is in my opinion, the pinnacle of what dictates the components as well as characteristics of those components.”
THE RIGHT PARTS FROM THE START
You already know the general consensus says to upgrade those pistons, rods, and cylinders as well as most of the moving bits up top, but there are still two ways things can go terribly wrong for you: picking inferior parts or going overkill.
“Cheaper, obscure manufacturers often compromise on quality control and precision engineering, buying these parts will save you money at the checkout, but often lead to engine problems and/or compatibility issues soon after.
We’ve found most customers feel they need big, bad, bulky, closed-deck sleeves in their blocks because they appear stronger.”
COMMITTED TO PERFORMANCE
Our top priority is customer satisfaction, which is at the forefront of our operations. We strive to ensure your car is reliable, drivable and makes you happy. We aim to make your car faster, turn better, and stop quicker.
CONTACT US
UNIT 14
DIRK SMIT INDUSTRIAL PARK
14 JAKARANDA STREET
HENNOPSPARK EXT 35
CENTURION
0157
TEL: 072 380 9078 | 084 577 2283
info@upcenturion.co.za