You are here:
- Home
- Sports
- NASCAR Racing
- Auto Racing
- About altering a carburetor
Auto Racing/About altering a carburetor
Advertisement
Question
If I increase the pressure in the intake vent of a carb. , which otherwise runs on gravity, will the power increase?.... due to letting in more fuel eventually?
Hello:
All internal combustion engines depend upon both air and fuel to create the power we desire.
First, a carburetor relies on vacuum rather than gravity to feed fuel to the engine. Accordingly, any increase in the air intake will increase power so long as there is additional fuel to mix with the air.
The answer to your question is 'yes', and that is the primary reason for turbocharging, and supercharging of various engines.
Many gas (piston) driven aircraft engines also use turbocharging or supercharging, not so much for added horsepower, but to allow them to operate at higher altitudes. The supercharging creates higher internal pressure, allowing the engine to run on compressed air. Some World War II airplanes were able to operate above 30,000 ft. (11,800 m ) because of this.
I hope this answer is a help. Most people start out by adding a performance air filter to thier car for added power. After that, the sky is the limit.
Good luck !
Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida USA
- Add to this Answer
- Ask a Question
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | This tech should be given an 11 in all categories!!! His answer was in line with many of the performance write-up I've read on cold air intakes and he explained the answer with detail and in easy to understand terms for the beginning performance enthusiast (plus a place to buy the best system). Awesome and he answered on a saturday!!!! Got my vote for Tech of the Year. | ||
Related Articles
Dan Liddy
Expertise
Anything concerning race cars, 20 years competition experience, Senior Competition Driver Instructor , car builder, mechanic, welding, fabrication, tuning , engine modifications, set up, suspension design. Specializing in Datsun/Nissan products. Please submit questions about RACE CARS ONLY. No street cars, no video game scenarios Thank you.
Experience
I have been racing for 20 years, I have been the Central Florida SCCA Regional Championship points for 5 years running, and won the championship in my class 2 times. During my first start in the 60's I won many solo awards and the State Championship Drags. I serve as a senior instructor for SCCA, and have taught in Mercedes AMG events at Daytona, and Dodge Viper Days at Sebring International. I have been in the thick of the competition for all of my career. At one time or another I have driven race cars at speeds nearing 195 MPH. It's quite a ride !
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.