Archive for October 14th, 2009
Referential Events In The History Of The Chevy 350 Engine
Having a unique, robust design, developing an impressive power and achieving a great overall performance, the 350 (5.7) Chevrolet Engine has quickly entered in history as one of the best and most reliable original car engines ever manufactured. In fact, the entire Chevy 350 Engine series is extremely popular among car enthusiasts, rapidly transforming Chevrolet into one of the most desired and highly respected Hot Rods not only in the United States, but also in many different corners of the world. In only a matter of years, the great features characteristic to the Chevy 350 Engine have rendered Chevrolet a prominent and competitive brand, establishing new trends in designing and manufacturing car engines. Much of today s popularity and prominence regarding the Chevrolet brand in general is strongly related to the initial success of the Chevrolet 350 Engine, as well as its gradual evolution into better performing and more powerful engines. The Chevrolet 350 Engine is almost identical in shape and size with its successor, the 400 HP LS2 Engine, another well-performing engine that is still manufactured today in various places in the world. Although the first small-block was first manufactured and equipped on Chevrolets in 1955, and other later released, improved models in the series were more powerful and performed a lot better than the 350 model, the Chevy 350 Engine has somehow managed to become a lot more desired and respected than both its predecessors and successors. The Chevy 350 Engine is by far the most equipped Chevy small-block, being extensively installed in sports cars, station wagons and even heavy trucks! The first step into history made by the Chevrolet 350 Engine was registered in 1968, when it was first installed in the series models Chevrolet Camaro and Chevrolet Nova, at that time producing at most 300 horsepower for the high performance models. However, the Chevy 350 Engine was successfully embraced by many categories of car enthusiasts, winning the appreciation of both novice and experienced car owners and drivers. Considered to be a success, by 1969 the Chevrolet 350 Engine was also being installed in various other Chevy vehicle lines such as the magnificent Corvette. Around 1969, the Chevy 350 Engine also began to suffer various modifications that would further increase its performance. By 1992, Chevrolet has released the Gen II LT1 350 Engine in models such as Corvette. The Gen II Chevy 350 Engine produced the highest horsepower ever reached by any Chevrolet small-block model. By 1993, the Gen II LT1 350 is modified and also installed in the Fourth-Generation Camaro Z28 and Firebird Trans Am. In 1996, the upgraded Gen II LT1 350 Engine, referred to as the LT4, became available as an option in Corvettes, the upgraded version quickly becoming popular among the series fans. http://www.hiperformer.com/chevy350/ - Visit our Chevey 350 Engine Repair Guide & Availability now. Make sure to check out our GM Chevy 350 Engine Overview.
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Demystifying The Tire Sidewall Code
So, you need new tires for your car or truck, but how do you know what to buy? What do all those alphanumeric codes printed on the tire sidewalls mean, anyway? If you’re in the market for new tires, you may simply want to replace your worn tires with exactly the same tire it came with. But you MAY want to consider an upgrade. If you know how to read the tire sidewalls, chock full of valuable information, you’ve got an advantage over most people and are prepared to make an informed decision. So let’s get underway! Tire Size Markings (example: P215/65R15 89H) Broken down: P = Passenger Other designations are LT = Light Truck T = Temporary (spare tire) 215 is the width (in millimeters) of the tire from sidewall to sidewall. A wider tire has more grip but the bad news is that you lose fuel economy, hear more noise and the tires don’t work as well in the rain. 65 is the aspect ratio The aspect ratio is the ratio of sidewall height to tire width. With regards to aspect ratio, the larger the number, the taller the tire sidewall. Tall (60-75) is great for a quiet ride but causes howling in turns. Short (35-55) is better for handling–more for sports cars. R indicates Radial. This means it is constructed with a series of support belts sideways under the tread. Other designations include B for Belted Bias and D for Diagonal Bias The standard, and what you’ll see most often, is R. 15 is the wheel (or rim) diameter, in inches. 89 is the load index H is the speed rating Speed ratings indicate the top speed under ideal conditions. Higher-rated tires are usually made of softer rubber and will have shorter UTQG tread life. Here are a few of the more common speed ratings: R= 106, S=112, T=118, U=124, H=130, V=149, W=168, Y=186. Along with this speed rating, you have a load index which indicates the approximate weight the tire can carry. Some of the more common load weights are as follows: 85 = 1,135 pounds, 86 = 1,168 pounds, 87 = 1,201 pounds, 88 = 1,235 pounds. UTQG Ratings Passenger car tires are accompanied by a UTQG Rating (Uniform Tire Quality Grading, mandated by the Federal Government) which rates the tread life of tires by looking at tread wear, traction and temperature resistance. The UTQG Rating is usually found opposite the tire size markings and will be in three separate ratings: treadwear, traction and temperature. The treadware grade standard is 100. A grade of 200 means the tread would wear twice as well as a tire graded 100. Traction grades run from AA to C, with AA being the highest grade and C meaning the tire brakes poorly on both wet concrete and wet asphalt. Temperature grades rate the tire’s resistance to and ability to dispel heat. Those grades are A (resists heat well), B (not as good as A) and C (passes minimum safety standards.) Keep in mind that heavy loads, under-inflation of the tires, and high speeds can all affect the tire temperature. You should note that these tire grades rate tires measured under controlled conditions. Factors such as driving habits, road conditions, climate, etc., are not considerations and may affect the actual performance of your tire. DOT DOT (Department of Transportation) indicates the tire is in compliance with applicable DOT safety standards. Next to DOT is an identification or serial number–codes that designate where and when the tire was produced. You’ll also find other information on the sidewall such as the type and composition of the tire, the maximum cold inflation (PSI) and maximum load in pounds. So as you can see, tires carry a huge amount of information. But it’s really not all that complicated once you learn to read the code. Debbie Pettitt is webmaster for Everything Tires, your tire resource. For more information on tires, visit http://everythingtires.com
Source: www.ArticlePros.com