Friday, January 11, 2008

Darwins Theory of Diesel Performance!

If Darwin himself were alive today I dare say that he would be driving a diesel. No other engine out there has more perfectly illustrated his theories of evolution than the diesel. Now as true as it might be that diesels were once known for being the “slow and smelly” vehicles on the road car makers as well as several performance companies have set out on a mission to put an end to that reputation. With the additions of a turbo or multiple turbos (i.e. '08 Powerstroke) and intercooler(s) as well as intakes, chips/modules and exhaust systems the reputation once held by diesels is now evolving, Darwin would be so proud.

So why diesel performance? In the past there never really was a question as to which “species” was more dominant when it came to performance. It has not been until recently that there has even needed to be a debate as to which is better, gas performance or diesel performance and even today you will have people try to argue that gas performance is where it is at but I am here to say that not only is there more horsepower available for the money when it comes to performance products for diesels but you will have longer engine life as well as maintain if not increased fuel mileage.

One of the strongest points in the argument for Diesel Performance is the fact that you can add engine mods to a diesel engine and it won’t harm the engine or make it burn hotter to the extent of damaging the engine permanently. Don't get me wrong you can still fry your engine but diesel engines are built much stronger and much more durable. One of the main reasons that diesel engines are so durable or will last longer in general is the way that combustion occurs in the engine. Diesel engines “fire” or “combust” differently than gas engines mainly because of the type of fuel that is used. In gasoline engines a spark plug is used to combust the fuel but in a diesel combustion occurs mainly due to the temperature of the compressed air which causes the fuel to ignite. Because of this diesel engines are built more durable because they have a higher compression ratios (20:1 for a typical diesel vs. 8:1 for a typical gasoline engine) it is being built to withstand this higher compression that makes these engines more ready for performance modifications straight from the factory.

As the diesel engine has evolved over the years turbo chargers have been added to increase power as well as efficiency, this has made way for huge increases in horsepower both stock as well as with the addition of after market products. One of the main reasons that diesel performance is so much more viable is the fact that because the engine is built for a higher compression ratio anyway so it is going to be able to withstand the boost that is created by a turbo much better than a gasoline engine, also allowing the addition of performance modifications without shortening the life of the engine as usually happens with gasoline engines when performance mods are added.

Like it or not diesel performance is here to stay, and whether or not you believe in evolution it's happening and will continue to happen in the diesel performance market. Don’t be surprised when you see good old Darwin himself roll past you on the street in his tweaked out diesel.

Programming the Diesel Performance

Want to squeeze every little amount of fuel in your fuel tanks? Want to gain every last ounce of power from your engines? Want to gain better fuel economy, while saving the last penny in your billfolds? Or want to drive a more powerful car, SUV or truck? Want to achieve all of the above? If you answer yes, then better install a diesel programmer in your car, SUV or truck.

Also known as Diesel Performance chips, Diesel programmers do all the things above.

Diesel performance chips have evolved in the last decade or so that they have been in use, and vastly gained popularity. The reason for their evolution and following is because the diesel performance chips are able to dramatically increase engine power. There are diesel performance chips that can increase power as much as 230 horse power and 400 foot pounds of torque. That is comparable with the power of some bone stock diesel trucks.

There are three ways that diesel performance chips are able to create and increase the power and improve fuel economy.

1. Diesel performance chips are able to increase the power and improve fuel economy through duration. By duration, we mean that the fuel injectors are opened for as longer period of time so that more fuel can be injected into the cylinder. More fuel means more power. Diesel performance chips that use duration are not good choices for a gain of fuel mileage, but it creates a lot of power.

2. Timing. It means that the fuel is injected earlier than usual. Timing, when used correctly, adds a lot greater amount of power and also adds to fuel economy. The goal of fuel timing is that the fuel is injected into the cylinder at a more efficient time. Then more power is extracted form every molecule of fuel.

3. The third way is through pressure. Pressure means that the fuel rail lines pressure is increased, so more fuel is injected (creating more power), but at the same time having more pressure on the fuel when it gets to the injector helps it create a finer mist or atomize, so that the fuel exits the finer holes in the injector tips. The improved atomization also helps the fuel to get mixed even better with the air that enters the cylinder and is able to extract more power out from the fuel.

Most diesel performance chips use two or even three of these techniques. By essentially adding a lot more fuel and improving how the engine burns them, the diesel performance chips can increase both power and economy.

By increasing power out of every molecule of fuel, you get to save on fuel consumption. Better fuel economy means saving a lot on your fuel bill. On the other hand, you also get to contribute less exhaust gases into the atmosphere, as the fuel is burned more cleanly and efficiently. You also get to save the cost of exploring and developing new oil fields, thus contributing a lot into saving the environment.