Author Archives: Tiger Core

Chrysler 426 Hemi in depth dyno test and analysis using modern empirical and simulation techniques

It was on the 23rd of February when four Hemi-powered Mopars swept the Daytona 500 and finished finishing first, second third and fourth. This single event took the racing world by storm and ultimately led NASCAR to impose stricter production rules on Chrysler. But just how much power did those ‘King Kong’ Hemis make by todays standards?To go further we would like to introduce to you the concept of a 1 dimensional fluid dynamics engine performance prediction code. They’re not a new concept and quite a few exist. It’s important NOT to take the dyno figures (even engine dynos) automatically as gospel without question: even methodically calibrated dynos show variance and several OEMs use this to their advantage (notice we didn’t even touch upon the minefield of after market dynos and chassis dynojets). Usually dynos are still very valuable when evaluating changes against an established baseline. The same level of healthy cautiousness should be used when reviewing the simulation data where the results are highly dependent on the assumptions and the code itself employs certain assumptions in its theory. This level of healthy pragmatism combined with an empirical database of what is realistic and what falls outside what is plausible will allow us to really get a good feel and understanding of the engine. We correlate the 1 D code model, fastidiously going over every engine system on a component by component basis. It’s a relatively easy task to get the simulation model to match a fixed set of dyno data. What is more useful is to see if the model can track changes in cam profiles/timing, exhaust system and intake geometry and still predict faithfully. Continue reading

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Our new arrival

Bought a new car – an old Mercedes Benz “W124″ recently.It’s a cliche but they certainly don’t build them like this anymore.I work with quite a few Germans and have contacts who work or have worked as engineers as Daimler Benz in Stuttgart and they are all unanimous: The W124 was the last of the over engineered cars with alot of money thrown at it’s development and execution that you simply wouldn’t get on a your common garden cars. Continue reading

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Car Styling, DNA and “Design Language”

There seems a fine line as to what feels innately ‘right’ and what looks wrong. It’s what some would call “Taste” or discerning taste. To further elaborate we need to look into the difference between fashion and style. Fashion comes from outside and follows zeitgeist or the spirit of the moment. Style, on the other hand, is almost an innate visceral quality that comes from within. A well styled design is more to do with form , balance and proportion. A well styled car is more likely to be elegant-even in years to come. Typically we’ll call these designs timeless thoroughbreds. A fashionable design that captures the mood of the moment won’t and is less likely to be timeless. Fashionable design will follow and conform to the mood of the moment. Short termism to be forgotten next season. Continue reading

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Test Drive 2011 Dodge Charger with 3.6 litre pentastar V6

Everything depends on ones expectations and in the past, from an enthusiast perspective at least, we’ve come away less than impressed by modern American car offerings…until now. Little did we know how impressed we would come away with this full size 292 Bhp American Muscle car. The exterior style of the car is imposing and captures enough cues to nod back to the 1968 original without being engorged in contrived retro heritage. This is what we like to see: A modern American car that doesn’t shy away from an aggressive stance and an individual look. It is a rear wheel drive enthusiasts sedan/saloon with an unmistakable American muscle car look. The interior is well detailed and a fine place to be, the performance is adequate, while the fuel economy for the size of car is outstanding and quite frankly, exactly what Chrysler needed. Continue reading

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1998-2003 Jaguar X308 XJ8(R)- An under rated scorching luxury Saloon

The X308 combines the timelessly beautiful low slung body style with a very efficient and characterful V8. The proportions of the car are wonderfully balanced. In true Jaguar tradition this style of saloon is form over function, as low as most coupes (if not lower than todays over bloated current crop), wide, with an imposing front but without being vulgar and the trade mark tapering rear end. Understated and very fluid. Outside there is subtle dechroming but just enough bright work to compliment and highlight the svelte lines. It was this style of Jaguar that lead to a Milanese panel of experts voting it LAutomobile piu Bella del Mondo or The Most Beautiful Car In The World, surely a testament to its stylist, the late Geoff Lawson. It was the first year that this accolade was awarded to a non- Italian automobile. Continue reading

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So Long S2000 (Gone but Never Forgotten)

The last Honda S2000 rolled off the production lines in June of 2009. In Europe Honda commemorated this occasion with the S2000 Ultimate edition. These last of the line Ultimates feature Grand Prix white paintwork and snazzy looking dark graphite … Continue reading

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2 valve and 4 valve gasoline engines

I often get asked about the merits of a two valve cylinder heads relative to a four valve. A two valve configuration cylinder head in gasoline engines doesn’t necessarily represent a viable alternative to a 4 valve cylinder head design … Continue reading

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Chrysler Big Blocks

In the middle of a major refurbishment of the Chsyler Big Block in my 1970 E body Dodge (That’s a Dodge Challenger to the uninitiated) I thought I would share the fruits of my resserch on the subject here in … Continue reading

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