Do mods which cut down on parasitic power losses have a corresponding decrease in the stress placed on the delicate connecting rods.In other words,is theincrease in horsepower (from mods like UDPs, headers, o/r H pipes, aluminum flywheels,aluminum ds, etc) coupled with a counterintuitive decrease in stress on the engine? How and what would you measure to ascertain if this were the case?

Interesting question.. not that I have an answer or anything.

In theory, by installing something like UDPs you'd be decreasing the load on the engine, thereby reducing stress. But you'd still be using that freed up power, it'd just be going to the driveline.. so I could go either way. On top of that, different engine componenets are stressed by different things - in the case of connecting rods, the major stress they have to deal with is the downward force of the combustion stroke, so freeing up load on the crankshaft may make it easier to turn, but not have as much stress reduction on the rods, the mind boggles... hmm.

It could also be argued that when the parts operate under less resistance, the intitial forces that were stressing the parts would put even more stresses on the parts. For instance, if the connecting rods were somehow moving with less restriction, the energy from combustion would throw the piston andconnecting rod toward the crank faster and with less "braking" due to friction (not breaking, braking)

Same amount of mass moving at greater speed equals more energy. More energy equals greater heat and greater stresses.

But honestly, I have no idea, and I have no idea how you could even measure such a thing. I agree though, interesting question.

ORIGINAL: suoperdave84

It could also be argued that when the parts operate under less resistance, the intitial forces that were stressing the parts would put even more stresses on the parts. For instance, if the connecting rods were somehow moving with less restriction, the energy from combustion would throw the piston andconnecting rod toward the crank faster and with less "braking" due to friction (not breaking, braking)

Same amount of mass moving at greater speed equals more energy. More energy equals greater heat and greater stresses.

But honestly, I have no idea, and I have no idea how you could even measure such a thing. I agree though, interesting question.


What you're sayin makes since, but happens only if you always drive your car like you stole it. I believe in normal driving or cruising the engine will indeed be relaxed and happy because now it has less stress to deal with especially with mods like an Aluminum DS or UDPs.

What about gears? I thought shorter gears made it easier for the engine to turn the tires, thereby causing less stress.

just drive the damn thing!!!

I can't drive right now, just ate, must wait 30 minutes.


ORIGINAL: Dex

just drive the damn thing!!!

ORIGINAL: moosestang

I can't drive right now, just ate, must wait 30 minutes.


ORIGINAL: Dex

just drive the damn thing!!!



30mins only? what did you have? Salad? LOL:D