Engine Performance Quiz

Bolt-on accessories that make it easier for your engine to push exhaust gases out of the cylinders are called:

headers

Headers improve engine performance by making the exhaust stroke less power intensive.

footers

mufflers

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If you're using an exhaust header with a four-cylinder engine, how many exhaust pipes will you have?

one

two

four

Exhaust headers eliminate back pressure by giving each cylinder its own exhaust pipe.

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Why do properly inflated tires improve fuel efficiency?

they decrease the force of friction

Since well-inflated tires have less contact with the road, they encounter less friction and the engine doesn't have to work as hard to move the car.

they counteract the force of gravity

they're lighter

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During the exhaust stroke, many engines lose power through:

exhaust manifolds

back pressure

Engines tend to waste power during the exhaust stroke when they come up against the resistance of back pressure.

exhaust headers

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Nitrous oxide improves engine performance by providing more what?

nitrogen

oxygen

When nitrous oxide is heated, it splits into nitrogen and oxygen, making more oxygen available to the engine during combustion.

hydrogen

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What other benefits does nitrous oxide provide?

a cleaner-burning fuel

a cooling effect

When it vaporizes, nitrous oxide provides a cooling effect on the intake air, which increases the air's density and provides even more oxygen inside the cylinder.

a quieter performance

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Why do cars normally carry only a few minutes worth of nitrous oxide?

it's difficult to find

it's expensive

it's fairly bulky

Due to the bulk of nitrous oxide, it takes up a significant amount of space even when compressed into a liquid. Drivers tend to carry only a small amount and use it selectively by pushing a button.

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How much faster can the turbine in a turbocharger spin when compared to a regular car engine?

10 times faster

20 times faster

30 times faster

Using the exhaust flow from the engine, turbines in a turbocharger can spin the air about 30 times faster than a regular car engine can -- at speeds of up to 150,000 rpm.

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How many valves per cylinder do dual overhead camshafts typically have?

just two

at least four

Dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) produce more power and can run at higher speeds since they allow an engine to have at least four valves per cylinder.

six or more

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Three fundamental causes can keep your engine from running. Which of the following is not one of them?

bad fuel

lack of compression

worn-out ball bearings

Although thousands of minor things can create engine problems, the big three include a bad fuel mix, a lack of compression and a lack of spark.

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Which of the following is considered an improvement in engine performance?

better fuel economy

Not all performance improvements boost horsepower or increase speed. Fuel economy is one such sign of a better-performing engine.

louder exhaust sounds

more impressive revving noises

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What does the engine need to go faster?

more nitrous oxide and a better turbocharger

less air and more fuel

more air and more fuel

To become more powerful, the engine needs to be modified to accept more air and more fuel.

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How much power does a supercharger add?

25 percent more

50 percent more

A supercharger improves a car’s power output by about 50 percent.

200 more horsepower

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How fast does a supercharger spin on its own?

25,000 rpm

50,000 rpm

A supercharger spins at at least 50,000 rpm.

150,000 rpm

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Which of the following projects can be a DIY job for a beginner?

installing a supercharger

Installing a supercharger is a fairly straightforward bolt-on procedure requiring basic tools.

machining the valves

performing a drivetrain swap

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How does an air filter improve performance?

It heats the air.

It adds special chemicals to the air.

It improves air flow.

An upgraded air filter improves airflow into the engine, allowing better combustion.

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Which of the following aftermarket performance parts are designed to be washable and reusable?

bearings

air filters

Air filters can easily be removed and washed to keep the engine’s air clean.

nitrous injectors

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How does a cold air intake kit improve performance?

It improves the air-fuel mixture.

Cold air is denser than warm air, so it can be mixed with more fuel.

It helps the engine spin faster.

It takes pressure off the radiator.

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Which of the following projects is the easiest?

installing a turbocharger

installing a hood scoop

installing a performance chip

Installing a performance chip is a simple plug-and-play project.

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What does a performance chip do?

adds more memory to the car’s computer

helps the engine run without as much gas

alters the engine programming in the car’s computer

Most cars have computer chips that control engine function, and thus, engine power. Performance chips change the factory settings to improve power.

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What’s a free way to improve a car’s performance?

take out the headliner and interior door panels to save weight

Weight reduction can be as simple and inexpensive as removing unnecessary parts, such as upholstery and trim, but it’s only recommended for drivers who don’t really care about comfort.

make a spoiler out of junkyard scraps

trade your car for someone else’s

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Which of the following parts are easy to swap for lighter-weight alternatives?

subframe

transmission

wheels

Switching to lightweight alloy wheels can help improve performance as well as style.

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Which of the following statements is true?

Glass windows are lighter than acrylic windows.

Disc brakes are lighter than drum brakes.

Disc brakes are a popular upgrade, in part because they are lighter than drum brakes.

Original body panels are lighter than carbon fiber body panels.

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What is drive line lash?

hitting the gas so hard that the driveshaft cracks

hitting the gas so hard that your head snaps back

wasted torque from natural engine movement

Drive line lash is the torque that’s wasted as the engine shifts around.

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How can drive line lash be improved?

Install firmer motor mounts.

Most factory motor mounts are soft, which increases ride comfort but also wastes some of the engine’s energy. Performance motor mounts, which are firmer, help reduce wasted torque.

Install softer motor mounts.

Install racing harnesses.

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