Balance Shafts and Norbert Singer
07-14-2008, 02:17 PM
#1
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Balance Shafts and Norbert Singer
While I was at Parade this year, I sat in on a Q&A session with "THE MAN."
A question was asked about the balance shafts in the original 944 LA MANS car.
Most people think the balance shafts were included due to the anoying vibration of larger 4 cylinder motors. In fact that is true but, as Norbert points out, it wasn't for comfort that Porsche included them.
He stated that they were having significant problems with the pistons wearing out prematurely. They determined the vibrations at high RPMs were causing the pistons to "vibrate" inside the cylinders enough to cause excessive wear.
They added the balance shafts to eliminate the vibrations to prolong the engine. The by product was a smoother road engine.
Just thought it was an interesting discussion that I had not seen in any other books or forums.
A question was asked about the balance shafts in the original 944 LA MANS car.
Most people think the balance shafts were included due to the anoying vibration of larger 4 cylinder motors. In fact that is true but, as Norbert points out, it wasn't for comfort that Porsche included them.
He stated that they were having significant problems with the pistons wearing out prematurely. They determined the vibrations at high RPMs were causing the pistons to "vibrate" inside the cylinders enough to cause excessive wear.
They added the balance shafts to eliminate the vibrations to prolong the engine. The by product was a smoother road engine.
Just thought it was an interesting discussion that I had not seen in any other books or forums.
07-14-2008, 08:42 PM
#3
The other (more significant, in my book) problem is that the oil pick up tube will fracture as a result of the increased vibrations, altho thats likely a concern of age as well, and not one that the LeMans team was worried about.
Regards,
Regards,
07-15-2008, 09:33 AM
#4
Rennlist Member
While I was at Parade this year, I sat in on a Q&A session with "THE MAN."
A question was asked about the balance shafts in the original 944 LA MANS car.
Most people think the balance shafts were included due to the anoying vibration of larger 4 cylinder motors. In fact that is true but, as Norbert points out, it wasn't for comfort that Porsche included them.
He stated that they were having significant problems with the pistons wearing out prematurely. They determined the vibrations at high RPMs were causing the pistons to "vibrate" inside the cylinders enough to cause excessive wear.
They added the balance shafts to eliminate the vibrations to prolong the engine. The by product was a smoother road engine.
Just thought it was an interesting discussion that I had not seen in any other books or forums.
A question was asked about the balance shafts in the original 944 LA MANS car.
Most people think the balance shafts were included due to the anoying vibration of larger 4 cylinder motors. In fact that is true but, as Norbert points out, it wasn't for comfort that Porsche included them.
He stated that they were having significant problems with the pistons wearing out prematurely. They determined the vibrations at high RPMs were causing the pistons to "vibrate" inside the cylinders enough to cause excessive wear.
They added the balance shafts to eliminate the vibrations to prolong the engine. The by product was a smoother road engine.
Just thought it was an interesting discussion that I had not seen in any other books or forums.
07-15-2008, 12:32 PM
#7
Rennlist Member
There are too many people that think they got it all figured out and Porsche goes around adding balance shafts and counter weights to their cars for no reason. I guess only time will tell and hopefully they will learn their lesson.
Raj
Raj
Trending Topics
07-23-2008, 10:30 AM
#8
Instructor
do NOT remove parts, because you believe you are "improving" the car. I have yet to go wrong with any of my cars with this mentality.
