Car Tuning Car Trivia 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'stroking' an engine mean in the context of car tuning?
- Increasing the crankshaft stroke to boost displacement (Correct answer)
- Polishing the cylinder walls for smoother operation
- Reducing piston weight for faster revving
- Adding a supercharger to the intake manifold
Correct answer: Increasing the crankshaft stroke to boost displacement
Stroking an engine involves using a crankshaft with a longer throw, increasing the piston stroke and thus total displacement for more torque.
Question 2: Which type of differential is most commonly used in high-performance rear-wheel-drive tuner cars?
- Open differential
- Limited-slip differential (LSD) (Correct answer)
- Torsen differential
- Viscous coupling differential
Correct answer: Limited-slip differential (LSD)
Limited-slip differentials (LSD) are preferred in performance tuning because they distribute torque more evenly between rear wheels, improving traction during hard acceleration.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a blow-off valve (BOV) on a turbocharged car?
- To release excess boost pressure when the throttle closes (Correct answer)
- To increase turbo spool speed under load
- To cool the intercooler during high-boost runs
- To recirculate exhaust gases back to the intake
Correct answer: To release excess boost pressure when the throttle closes
A blow-off valve vents pressurized air from the intake tract when the throttle plate closes, preventing compressor surge and protecting the turbocharger.
Question 4: What was the factory horsepower rating of the original 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona's 426 Hemi engine?
- 375 hp
- 425 hp (Correct answer)
- 450 hp
- 500 hp
Correct answer: 425 hp
The 426 Hemi engine in the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona was factory-rated at 425 horsepower, though actual output was widely believed to be higher.
Question 5: In drag racing, what does the term 'Christmas tree' refer to?
- The starting light sequence on the drag strip (Correct answer)
- A type of intake manifold with multiple branches
- The exhaust system layout on funny cars
- A nitrous oxide injection pattern
Correct answer: The starting light sequence on the drag strip
The 'Christmas tree' is the vertical light system at the start of a drag strip that sequences amber staging lights before the green go signal.
Question 6: What is 'valve float' and why is it a concern for high-RPM engines?
- When valves fail to fully close at high RPM due to weak valve springs (Correct answer)
- When valves stick open due to carbon deposits
- When the valve stem seal leaks oil into the combustion chamber
- When valves warp from excessive heat
Correct answer: When valves fail to fully close at high RPM due to weak valve springs
Valve float occurs when valve springs cannot close the valves fast enough at high RPM, causing power loss and potential engine damage from valves colliding with pistons.
Question 7: Which car is credited with popularizing the JDM tuner culture in the United States during the late 1990s?
- Honda Civic EG/EK
- Toyota Supra MK4
- Mitsubishi Eclipse 2G (Correct answer)
- Acura Integra Type R
Correct answer: Mitsubishi Eclipse 2G
The second-generation Mitsubishi Eclipse, featured prominently in 'The Fast and the Furious' (2001), became a cultural icon that popularized JDM tuning in American mainstream culture.
Car Tuning Car Trivia 2
What does 'stroking' an engine mean in the context of car tuning?