We’re really pleased to report that the Academy of Motorsport Sciences has just been recognised as being one of only four officially Recommended Motorsport Industry Training Providers by the Motorsport Industry Association! The other three providers are in “soft” industries such as sales and management.

This is quite an accolade and dove-tails nicely with our other strategic partners such as the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), Ford Motor Co Dunton Research & Development Centre, Northbook College etc. You can read more about the Academy and the training courses in engine management systems and dyno tuning here

 

Following on from some on-line chatter regarding which oil viscosity best suited a particular engine in relation to power, we were curious too so decided to undertake some testing in order to have certainty on this matter.

The test results certainly surprised us and dispelled some myths and assumptions.

The test method used our Rototest chassis dyno which is accurate to <1%, measurement repeatability to <0.05%, zero tyre/grip/camber/toe interference, correcting to DIN 70 020 making the data sets entirely representative.

We wanted to ensure testing parity between the oils so endeavored to equalise the oil temperature to an operating window of 75-76 degrees, engine coolant temperature window of 90-95 degrees, taking 6 test runs then taking the average power (not peak power) of the runs in order to gather accurate and representative data.

Note that we were exclusively looking for the impact on engine output, not engine life/wear or temperatures etc, and that the testing is confined to HKS, Millers, Joe Gibbs and a cheap “off the shelf” Carlube oils. There are many other brands of oils that may perform better, worse or similarly.

Out of interest we also tested ZX1 oil additive which claims to be the ultimate friction eliminator, to assess it’s impact on performance.

The methods and results are shown on the linked attachment. Oil Testing – Analysis

Conclusions:

1. Whilst it may seem intuitive to assume that higher viscosity oils will reduce engine output due to higher parasitic losses, that actually isn’t the case among the oils tested.
2. Price isn’t always the determinant of performance among the oils tested, although it may have other beneficial attributes.
3. There is a significant variation on cooling effectiveness between the oils.
4. ZX1 is effective by yielding approximately 2% more power.

 

Cosworth, the world famous Formula 1 engine designer and builder is having a special sale on some of their fantastic Subaru engine components.

Available are the following:

Cosworth EJ25 and CS400 EJ25 Short Engines.

High Performance 2.5 Short Engine available at only £2942.63 plus vat (normally £3546.25 plus vat), saving you £724.34! These feature new cylinder block casings, OEM 2.5 litre crankshaft, forged connecting rods, forged 8.2:1 pistons, racing bearings, blue-printed and assembled by F1 engine Technicians.

High Performance CS400 2.5 Short Engine available at only £3135 plus vat (normally £3995 plus vat), saving you £1032! The CS style engines are distinct from the other Cosowrth short engines as they feature a different design of piston having stronger skirts and larger pins as well as the usual specifications of new cylinder block casings, OEM 2.5 litre crankshaft, forged connecting rods, forged 8.2:1 pistons, racing bearings, blue-printed and assembled by F1 engine Technicians.

 

Cosworth 2.5 Litre Stroker Kits

Subaru 2.2 litre stroker kit featuring billet crankshaft, forged steel connecting rods and forged pistons available at only £3027.77 plus vat, normally £3855.53 plus vat, saving you £993.31!

Subaru 2.5 litre stroker kit featuring billet crankshaft, forged steel connecting rods and forged pistons available at only £3177.27 plus vat, normally £3855.53 plus vat, saving you £813.91!

These are in limited supply and available at  these prices until 30th April 2013.

They are not available to buy at this price via our web site so please contact us directly to order.

 

 

Toda Racing has introduced a new range of forged pistons for the Suzuki Swift ZC31S and ZC32S using the M16A engine, that’s specially designed to cope with the increased stresses imposed by racing activities and turbocharging, and also increases the engine displacement to 1884cc.

The Toda Racing forged aluminium pistons feature an anti-scuff coating and are 85mm diameter which increases the displacement from 1586cc to 1884cc.

Available in the following various compression ratios to suit different application:

• Toda Racing low compression 9.5:1 pistons
• Toda Racing high compression 12.2:1 pistons
• Toda Racing ultra high compression 13.2:1 pistons

Please note that the Toda Racing Power Liner kit and cylinder gasket is required for these pistons.

Toda Racing has introduced a new cylinder liner kit for the Suzuki Swift ZC31S and ZC32S using the M16A engine, that’s specially designed to cope with the increases stresses imposed by racing activities and turbocharging.

The cylinder block operates under both mechanical and heat stresses. TODA’s special high power cylinder liner kit is made from heavy duty material to withstand high cylinder pressures, and the installation and honing process heats the block and along with the use a dummy head, recreates the forces found in the block under normal operating conditions. This process helps to improve piston to bore sealing therefore providing more power and for longer.

The Toda Racing High Power Cylinder Liner kit can be reviewed and purchased here.

Using it’s vast experience of developing flywheels for TODA race programmes, Toda Racing has come to fully understand the most desirable characteristics required for the ultimate flywheel.

Along with a wealth of racing experience, Toda uses CAD solid modelling work stations to further reduce stress and to improve weight distribution and inertia.

The production of a Toda chrome moly flywheel is broken down into several sections. Firstly the basic flywheel shape is machined out, then the 1st of the two heat treatment processes is carried out, which hardens the chrome moly, it is then slowly cooled to restore flexibility, after which the final detail machine work is carried out. With finally the 2nd and 3rd heat treatment giving the clutch face and ring gear greater wear durability and rust prevention.

Weighing in at a only 3.5kg with 0.31 inertia, the Toda racing flywheel provides better engine acceleration and response.

The Toda Racing flywheel for the Suzuki Swift can be reviewed and purchased here.