Header design

Jump to: navigation, search
Line 19: Line 19:
 
The main advantage gained in equal length, independent primary header tubes is from the strong negative pressure pulse that is reflected from the tube end when the strong positive pressure pulse form the exhaust valve reaches the collector. Other pulses from other header tubes are of much smaller magnitude in the tube of interest and can be ignored. Thus tuning length is very easy to determine once you have an estimate of the speed of sound in the hot gasses. A useful equation is  
 
The main advantage gained in equal length, independent primary header tubes is from the strong negative pressure pulse that is reflected from the tube end when the strong positive pressure pulse form the exhaust valve reaches the collector. Other pulses from other header tubes are of much smaller magnitude in the tube of interest and can be ignored. Thus tuning length is very easy to determine once you have an estimate of the speed of sound in the hot gasses. A useful equation is  
  
L = 120V/rpm
+
L = 120V/N
  
For
+
where
L = pipe length, less port length in head, in inches
+
  
and
+
L is the pipe length, less port length in head, in inches;
  
V = velocity of sound in hot gasses. Values of 1300ft/sec to 1700 ft/sec are common.
+
V is the velocity of sound in hot gasses, in feet per second (ft/sec). Values of 1300 ft/sec to 1700 ft/sec are common;
  
Using V = 1700ft/sec the equations simplifies to
+
and,
  
L = 204,000 inches/rpm.
+
N is the engine rotational speed, in rotations per minute (rpm).
 +
 
 +
Using V = 1700 ft/sec the equations simplifies to
 +
 
 +
L = 204,000/N.
  
 
There have been various permutations on this basic design like tri-Y headers, stepped tubing size, etc. Each takes advantage of modifying the pressure pulse arrival time at the instant the exhaust valve closes to achieve a scavenging/ higher volumetric efficiency/ more torque result. The good is that you can achieve a very significant torque increase at the design rpm. The bad is that you likely will also achieve less torque at other RPMs.
 
There have been various permutations on this basic design like tri-Y headers, stepped tubing size, etc. Each takes advantage of modifying the pressure pulse arrival time at the instant the exhaust valve closes to achieve a scavenging/ higher volumetric efficiency/ more torque result. The good is that you can achieve a very significant torque increase at the design rpm. The bad is that you likely will also achieve less torque at other RPMs.

Revision as of 03:55, 8 July 2008

Personal tools
Namespaces
Variants
Actions
Navigation
Categories
Toolbox