what is...detuning an engine...and the advantage of ohc? | Ford Explorer Forums

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what is...detuning an engine...and the advantage of ohc?

sloop

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what is 'detuning' an engine? why is it done?

bentley's new engine for its mulsanne is a push rod engine. what are the advantages or disadvantages?
 



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Detuning is done for many reasons. Simply put it is using various means to lower the power output of a motor. One example is a motor making 160hp may need to be detuned through PCM adjustments to 150hp to meet lower insurance premium levels in another country. Or, in racing series, you might detune a motor to be legal for a certain class that has a maximum horsepower restriction.

Push rod engine is another way of saying overhead valve (OHV). There is a lot to get into on this subject so I'd suggest starting on Wikipedia, reading about overhead cams vs overhead valves. If you'd rather the short version, overhead valve generally indicates cam in block design, and benefits include reliability, typically better low-end torque, and lower cost and complexity. Overhead cam engines generally are capable of turning a bit higher RPMs and make more top end power. Of course there are exceptions to the above arguments but when comparing the 4.0 OHV to the 4.0 SOHC, consider the SOHC to have more top end power at the expense of reliability (mainly timing chain and guide wear).
 






thanks arco - i have the ohv v6 and it has been reliable - i was surprised when i heard bentley designed an engine from scratch for a new flagship model car, and it was an ohv - i guess being 6 3/4 liter overcomes the disadvantages - their latest car uses that 6 liter w 12 - i think that is volkswagon's engine
 






Keep in mind the new Chevrolet LS-based V8 motor designs are overhead valve as well, even in their hot Corvettes. OHV is not necessarily inferior, just different. To be honest I wish Ford had continued to develop OHV motors instead of moving to Modular-based designs, but they have refined the design pretty well. Personally I have always liked the instant torque that a OHV motor gives, with that low end powerband - you don't have to wait for it to wind up to make power.
 






well you did get me sucked into spending the night reading about engines - and valves - and and and

on the subject of tuning, i came across this:

In early days, mechanics finished tuning up a performance car such as a Ferrari and would take it around a track several times to burn out any built-up carbon; this is known as an Italian tuneup.
 






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