Rick Morrison writes:
> [ I wrote: ]
>
> >Fact: Higher speeds require the brakes to dissipate more energy than
> > lower speeds.
> >
> >Fiction: More powerful engines force you to drive faster.
> >
> >Understand?
> Immaterial;
> Fiction- more powerful engines make cars faster
> Fact - more powerful engines accerate cars quicker
It's bordering on pedantic perhaps, but DRIVERS accelerate cars quicker.
The motor just gives you the means. It's akin to the oft-abused phrase
"Guns don't kill people; people kill people".
> difference being that speed, while dependent on availible power, is also
> a function of gearing. Example (non LBC) My works Moto-crosser was
> extremely modified for power. In fact the versions we rode put out almost
> twice the power of the un-modified version. BUT the top speed was about
> 20 mph SLOWER. Because the purpose was to get there quick, not faster.
I fail to see how your example clarifies anything.
It doesn't matter if you take 2 seconds or 2 minutes to get to 60 mph;
the exact same amount of energy must be dissipated by the brakes.
EXACT.
> As to the need for better brakes with a modified engine, one must
> consider the entire car when making modifications. The thing is a
> system.
No, it's not. The brakes have NO functional or causal relationship
with the engine.
> To look at it another way, suppose you modified and improved your brake
> system. Does that then mean you then must drive at a higher rate simply
> because of better brakes? Of course not. Then just because you have a
> more powerful engine, you are not forced to drive fast.
Right. I thought I said that already.
> But the purpose
> of power is to utilize the quickness, thus under those conditions where
> it is appropiate to take that advantage, then it behooves you to have the
> ability to DE-celerate in a similar manner.
Are you confusing acceleration with speed?
> But electronic ignition are capable of firing a much more powerful coil
> than is a point style system, especially at higher RPM's
Okay. But it's still the coil that makes the spark. Electronic
ignition with a stock coil and plug gap shouldn't make any more
horsepower.
> >And can anybody else tell me why engine modifications require a
> >different needle?
>
> The airflow rates into and/or out of the engine have changed, and not
> necessarily in a linear manner.
Is this solely due to the cam? Something tells me the answer is
probably "no", but it might be nice to find out that at least a few
things in life are simple and predictable...
> Just to keep the pot boiling, I submit my tuppence wortth
Boil, baby, boil!
--
Todd Mullins
Todd.Mullins@nrlssc.navy.mil On the lovely Mississippi (USA) Coast
'74 MGB Tourer with an analytical bent
Atheist #685 "Whatever, baby."
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