Does ZFG Recommend Engine upgrades?
Aftermarket Part:
Parts Category:
Other Names / Types:
Engine
Engine
con rods, connecting rods, cylinders, cylinder sleeves, pistons, valves, valve springs, heads, head gaskets, head gasket, lid, cam, cams, camshaft, short block, long block
The Basics:
Providing Support:
Engines are 'built' to support or enable the production of power. Building an engine takes many forms and usually involves replacing stock components with high-performance versions of those parts. In most cases, upgraded components for building engines are not developed until a specific weak point has been identified. The process for manufacturing and releasing engine build parts requires a substantial investment in terms of time and money, as well as extensive research, development, prototyping and testing.
Common examples of built engine components are forged connecting rods, pistons, valve springs, and cam shafts.
Recommended Modifications & Tune-Related Impact:
Recommended vs Required:
Upgrading the engine is strongly recommended for certain builds / goals.
Building the engine provides support for max effort builds.
Please reach out to us directly with any questions about these upgrades - sales@tunedbyzfgracing.com
How it Works:
How Combustion Works
An internal combustion engine (ICE) is a type of heat engine that is widely used in various applications, particularly in transportation. This engine acts as the primary power source for automobiles, motorcycles, airplanes, boats, and many other machines. The engine works by turning the stored energy in fuel into useful energy that makes these machines move. It does this by carefully controlling explosions that create force, which then powers the engine's parts and makes everything work together.
Key Components of an Internal Combustion Engine
Cylinder: Provides a sealed chamber where combustion actively occurs.
Piston: Moves up and down with a reciprocating motion within the cylinder.
Connecting Rods: Link the pistons to the crankshaft. Crankshaft: Converts the piston's linear motion into rotational motion.
Valves: Control the flow of the fuel-air mixture into the cylinder and the expulsion of exhaust gases.
Spark Plug: Generates a spark to ignite the fuel-air mixture, initiating combustion.
The Four-Stroke Cycle
Most internal combustion engines use a four-stroke cycle to convert fuel into mechanical power efficiently. The four strokes are:
Intake Stroke: The piston moves downward, creating a vacuum that draws the fuel-air mixture into the cylinder through the intake valve.
Compression Stroke: The piston moves upward, compressing the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder.
Combustion Stroke: The spark plug ignites the compressed fuel-air mixture, causing an explosion that forces the piston downward, producing power.
Exhaust Stroke: The piston moves upward again, expelling the exhaust gases through the exhaust valve.
Combustion Process
Combustion, also known as burning, is the basic chemical process of releasing energy from a fuel and air mixture. In an internal combustion engine, the ignition and combustion of the fuel occur within the engine itself. The engine then partially converts the energy from the combustion to work.
Fuel Injection: Fuel is injected into the cylinder, mixing with the air.
Ignition: The spark plug ignites the fuel-air mixture, causing a controlled explosion.
Expansion: The explosion forces the piston downward, converting chemical energy into mechanical energy.
Exhaust: The exhaust gases are expelled from the cylinder, making room for a new fuel-air mixture.
Benefits of Internal Combustion Engines
High Power Output: Internal combustion engines can produce a significant amount of power relative to their size.
Versatility: They can be used in a wide range of applications, from small handheld tools to large industrial machines.
Efficiency: Modern internal combustion engines are designed to maximize fuel efficiency and minimize emissions.
Explorer-Specific Recommendations:
F150-Specific Recommendations: