EngineLabs

EngineLabs is the top online destination for all things related to performance engine technology. We delve deeper than just the "hardware" that fuels this dynamic community, because engine technology involves much more than just new parts. At EngineLabs, we examine the strategies, reasoning, and creative approaches of those passionate about boosting horsepower. Our focus is on understanding the "whys" and "hows" of engine performance rather than just the "what" and "where."

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Making1,500 Horsepower With The 12-Rotor On Low Boost

2 days ago | enginelabs.com | Greg Acosta

Recently, we brought you Rob Dahm’s naturally aspirated dyno session of the wild 12-rotor engine we first brought to you over a decade ago. Without boost, Dahm has the engine making about what it did in its original carbureted form. However, the main goal of Dahm getting this 960 cubic-inch engine up and running isn’t just to dial in an EFI swap, but rather to add some boost to the engine and really let it eat.
Do Classic Cars Actually Need High-Zinc Oil?

1 week ago | enginelabs.com | Greg Acosta

If you are an avid EngineLabs follower, you know exactly who Lake Speed, Jr. is. If you don’t, let us enlighten you. Speed is a Tribologist, that is he is a devout student of how lubrication affects friction and wear in moving assemblies. It’s not a job title for him, but a description of his passion and mission in life. So much so that he has his own YouTube channel now after a successful career in motorsports and lubricant manufacturing.
GM's Gen-V Direct Injection Fuel Systems Explained

2 weeks ago | enginelabs.com | Jefferson Bryant

Anytime new technologies come out, there are growing pains in the acceptance and operation of said novel systems. When GM released the Gen V LT-series engines, they were not the first to do direct injection, but for most gearheads, this was their initiation into this new world. Direct injection is a giant leap forward in EFI and engine management, but there are some things to consider when swapping into your vehicle, even if you previously had port injection.
Rob Dahm's Wild 12-Rotor Engine Makes N/A Pulls On The Dyno

2 weeks ago | enginelabs.com | Greg Acosta

If you have followed Rob Dahm’s 12-rotor build at all, you know this thing is going to unleash all manner of hell unto the world. Apparently, the engine dyno owner was fully aware, which required some mini tests before the rotary could be rolled into the dyno cell. How much will it make? Dahm’s shop is just a mile or so from the dyno shop, so the first thing they did was strap the run stand down inside the trailer and take it to Vrbancic Bros Racing for the dyno session.
Canton Racing's Answers To Your Questions

3 weeks ago | enginelabs.com | Greg Acosta

In this installment of Ask The Experts, we asked you to submit your questions about oiling and cooling systems, to be answered directly by Canton Racing Products. You delivered en masse, and these are the ten questions that we sent over to Canton, with answers. Horsepower is a useful starting point, but it’s not the only factor. Cooling needs also depend on engine size, RPM range, ambient temperatures, airflow, vehicle weight, and intended use. A rough rule of thumb is about 1.25 to 1.5 sq.
Olsa Tools’ Split-Beam Torque Wrench Tested

4 weeks ago | enginelabs.com | Greg Acosta

This month, our Tool of the Month is a little more than just a product feature. You might remember a few months ago when we showcased the digital torque wrench tester from Intercomp. With that tool in our shop, we went on to test every torque wrench we had in the shop, as well as a couple of loaners, too, just to round out the dataset. However, in that testing, we found a glaring hole in our torque wrench lineup.
1,500 RPM And 400 HP Per Cylinder — 4 Piston Racing's Wild K24

1 month ago | enginelabs.com | Greg Acosta

So, what exactly does it take to get 400 horsepower per cylinder from a Honda K24 engine? Meticulous assembly and attention to detail. 4 Piston Racing’s recent video showcasing the assembly of one of their K24-KT1200 SFWD and Outlaw Class race engines is something that needs to be watched, even if you are not an import fan. The details are intense, from the precision tools used to dial in every parameter to the parts used; this is an incredible feat of engineering.
Making Over 900 HP With A ProCharger P-1X On Our Budget 5.3L

1 month ago | enginelabs.com | Greg Acosta

A while back, we set out to see how cheaply we could make 1,000 horsepower in a reliable package. The goal was 1,000 horsepower for $8,000 (hence the “1K For 8K” name), and while we achieved our power goal, we came up about $1,700 short of the goal. The engine ran great. So great, in fact, we decided to use it as a test mule for another project we had bouncing around in our heads.
Running Ridiculous Compression In A Gas Engine

1 month ago | enginelabs.com | Greg Acosta

Look, understanding the ins and outs of the internal combustion engines is a great skill set to have. Here at EngineLabs, we use that understanding to explain advanced concepts, calculate all facets of an engine’s design, and know the limitations of an engine. But sometimes, it’s fun to throw all that to the wind and just watch someone actually do something that everyone knows is a bad idea, just to see what really happens. Garage 54 is well known for doing just that.
What Nikasil Is And How It’s Applied To Cylinder Bores

1 month ago | enginelabs.com | Jefferson Bryant

Originally developed by MAHLE in the late 1960s, Nikasil is the trademarked name for nickel silicon carbide electroplate coating. Originally designed for the Wankel rotary engine, Nikasil is used on aluminum engine cylinders to eliminate the need for sleeves. A Nikasil-coated cylinder wall is diamond-hard, allowing aluminum pistons to glide inside the aluminum cylinder with matching thermal expansion characteristics with superior heat conductivity.