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Will changing from a 2 barrel carb. to a 4 barrel carb have any effect on the dynamic compression of an engine?
What is "dynamic compression"? Are you referring to the dynamic compression RATIO of an engine? If so, then NO!. The static compression ratio is the comparison of the cylinder volumes, with the piston at TDC and the piston at BDC. The dynamic compression ratio is a similar comparison of volumes; however, instead of comparing TDC volume to the full, BDC cylinder volume, it is only comparing it to the effective cylinder volume, after the intake valve closes, where compression can actually begin. The comparison of measured physical volumes is not effected by types of induction. Volumetric efficiency (VE) is another topic of discussion.
What is "dynamic compression"? Are you referring to the dynamic compression RATIO of an engine?
The calculated compression ratio (refered to as "static compression"), presumes that the cylinder is sealed at the bottom of the stroke (BDC or bottom dead center), and that the volume compressed is the actual volume.
This is not true: intake valve closure (sealing the cylinder) always takes place after BDC, which causes some of the intake charge to be compressed backwards out of the cylinder by the rising piston at very low speeds; only the percentage of the stroke after intake valve closure is compressed. This "corrected" compression ratio is commonly called the "dynamic compression ratio".
This is also why larger duration cams not only allow, but require more static compression; they "leak" more if the compression back in to the intake than a shorter duration cam.
The calculated compression ratio (refered to as "static compression"), presumes that the cylinder is sealed at the bottom of the stroke (BDC or bottom dead center), and that the volume compressed is the actual volume.
The compression ratios are a numerical comparison of volumes. Whether the cylinders are sealed or not, makes no difference. The compression ratio ("the volume compressed is the actual volume.") doesn't take into account anything actually being compressed. It is (as a ratio is by definition) simply a numerical comparison of the cylinder volumes with the piston in each of two different positions.
Originally Posted by Tom400CFI
This is not true: intake valve closure (sealing the cylinder) always takes place after BCD, which causes some of the intake charge to be compressed backwards out of the cylinder by the rising piston at very low speeds; only the percentage of the stroke after intake valve closure is compressed. This "corrected" compression ratio is commonly called the "dynamic compression ratio".
So what isn't true? That crudely defines dynamic compression ratio. The dynamic compression ratio is also a numerical comparison (as ratios are) of the volumes of a cylinder, but with the larger volume redefined as having the cylinder height starting at the point of the intake valve closing, rather than at BCD. Whether or not, "some of the intake charge to be compressed" is forced "backwards out of the cylinder by the rising piston at very low speeds" is a fluid dynamic discussion and has no effect on either type of "compression ratio".
Originally Posted by Tom400CFI
This is also why larger duration cams not only allow, but require more static compression; they "leak" more if the compression back in to the intake than a shorter duration cam.
The compression ratios are a numerical comparison of volumes. ...It is (as a ratio is by definition) simply a numerical comparison of the cylinder volumes with the piston in each of two different positions.
Which is why it's called "Static" compression. It doesn't change (it's not dynamic) because it IS a calulation based on fixed factors.
Originally Posted by C4Techie
Whether or not, "some of the intake charge to be compressed" is forced "backwards out of the cylinder by the rising piston at very low speeds" is a fluid dynamic discussion and has no effect on either type of "compression ratio".
True enough.
It does have an effect. That is the very basis for the difference between static compression ratio and dynamic compression ratio. The fact that air leaks out at some RPM and air is "packed in" at other RPM (on a well matched combo), is why there IS a term, "dynamic compression". To explain why the actual cylinder pressure is not the same as calculated based on BTC cylinder volume, and TDC cylinder volume -or the same throughout the RPM range. Which you acknowledged in your last sentence.
What is you point besides arguing about the existance of a term that does exist which explains a condition that does exist?
Last edited by Tom400CFI; Jan 21, 2007 at 09:42 PM.
Fact: A compression ratio (static or dynamic) is a comparison of volumes.
Static is. Dynamic isn't. I think from reading your postings that your perception is that "dynamic compression" is a comparison of volumes; the two volumes being the volume of the cylinder when the intake valve closes vs when the piston is at TDC. If that's what you're thinking then I don't agree. To me, the term dynamic compression is referring to the cylinder pressure that is a RESULT of cam timing, volumes and RPM. So to me, the term "dynamic compression" is a term that explains the factors that lead to actual cylinder pressure. If I am wrong about this, and "dynamic compression" truely is a term that describes nothing more that the delta in volumes between intake valve closure and TDC, then you're right. In that case clearly a carb swap isn't going to change engine internal dimensions.
Originally Posted by C4Techie
Fact: Changing the carburetor doesn't affect the dimensions (volume) of the insides of the engine.
No kidding. But it does affect cylinder pressure, unless it's so large that it's not a limiting factor.
Dynamic compression IS indeed a calculation that uses only two factors: volume of cylinder when intake valve closes, and volume at TDC. Obiviously those factors do not change with a carb swap (though cylinder pressure could), so changing a carb doesn't change DCR.
Back in post #41 I asked what VetNutJim meant by the term "dynamic compression", and I continued on after explaining that I was talking about the "dynamic compression ratio". In my last post, I even high lighted, in blue, where I had amended the question to read as I thought it was intended to read. Your statements were (are) correct as to some of the effects that can occur due to changes in DCR. After your second to last post, I was about to point out that it seemed as though you were confusing the terms compression "pressure" and compression "ratio". Then I read that you "got it". Great!
The discussion was interesting to me and I did think that the issue was a confusion regarding compression(lbs/sq.in.) v ratio. One of the reasons I swapped cams was to lower the compression in my cylinders because it was at the level where I felt I could use more overlap. With over 200lbs. in all cylinders, I felt the intake valve was closing too soon and I was losing power due to pumping losses. Now I fully expect that my hypothesis could be inaccurate. But the cam swap has proven to add more power and extend the rpm band 5-600rpms.