Geek Theory
Picking a manufacturer like Cosworth means that we suddenly have a wealth of engineering resources available such as engine simulation software, flow bench data and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) head flow analysis. These guys are real engineers and possess the same tools OEMs use to design an engine from the ground up. This way, in theory, we could run engine simulations of how different bore, stroke, rod length, piston, compression ratio, and displacement combinations would be offer optimal power, torque, flow and engine speeds.
Our hope was to be able to reverse engineer the VQ and analyze the engine from the bottom up to realize why Nissan made certain choices in its design and what could be optimized without sacrificing wear, durability or the innate character of the VQ. At least that's what we hoped. And while Cosworth does have the technology to completely design and manufacture motors from a clean sheet, the labor involved would be beyond the scope of this project. After all this isn't an IRL or F1 engine we're talking about here.
As powerful as all these analysis and modeling tools are, they are still only a guide to be used in conjunction with practical and real world knowledge. So we went with a much more conventional method of design and tuning, and worked around the basic architecture of what Nissan gave us in the VQ.
Real World Tuning
Our high output VQ will be based roughly on Cosworth's concept for a drop in crate motor, which will feature an assortment of parts that have already been released or are already in testing for the VQ. The Top Shop motor will just take it up another notch.
Obviously, since we're using a stock block, our engine design would be constrained by some basic physical limitations. Since the Castrol Syntec Top Shop Challenge makes no restrictions on displacement or flow, we would want to start from the bottom end and maximize our total displacement to take advantage of the lack of a displacement modifier for NA engines.
To read the full article, go out and pick up the July issue of Sport Compact Car.
CASTROL SYNTEC TOP SHOP CHALLENGE
www.SyntecTopShop.com