Cars 101

[HEMIwoman]

I need help....lots of it.

I am an educated woman, or at least would like to think I am. I have knowledge of many things, and when I can, I attempt to impart my wisdom (when asked) to my fellow forum members.

But I have a terrible truth to admit....

I do not know a THING about cars. Seriously, nothing.

I recently bought a catback exhaust system....and other than knowing it will make a growling sound for me...I have no idea how it works, or why.

I know that I put gas in the car, and I know how to check my oil to be sure it doesn't get low (I think I may do that b/c it will keep the engine from dying).

I feel so clueless as I try to read some of these threads about mods and car stuff...because I have no idea what everyone is talking about.

I am open to learning...I really am. I think I can catch on with things...

Will you all help me with Cars 101? Please???

Sue

[moparman53]

What would you like to know in particular?

[HEMIwoman]

I want to understand everything....maybe I need to take courses or something. I seriously don't understand how a car works! What does a muffler do, what does an air intake do....

Not trying to be silly.....just would like to understand the basic workings of a car so I can understand why these mods work.

[wheelife]

We all gotta start somewhere, try this.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm

[moparman53]

A muffler makes the car quieter than it would be if you didn't have one; just as it's name implies. An internal combustion engine needs 3 things to operate (like a fire), air, fuel, and air (oxygen). The air intake is the device that introduces air to the fuel which is then mixed in the proper ratio for proper combustion (when the spark plugs ignite the air/fuel mixture and produce power). This sort of condensed, but I hope it helps some. Maybe I can find you a link that explains it better.

Hee's one. Click this.

[da BoMM]

I want to understand everything....maybe I need to take courses or something. I seriously don't understand how a car works! What does a muffler do, what does an air intake do....

Not trying to be silly.....just would like to understand the basic workings of a car so I can understand why these mods work.

Real simple:
The AIR INTAKE is on the INPUT side of the engine -- modifying the air intake can affect how the engine performs and/or sounds.
The engine needs a mixture of gas and air to run --
when the gas/air mixture is burnt (exploded) it moves the pistons which makes the motor run.
The turning motor transfers it's power to the wheels through the TRANSMISSION, the DRIVESHAFT, the DIFFERENTIAL and the AXLES.

On the OUTPUT side of the engine, the burnt gas/air mixture has to be exhausted and that's where the HEADERS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, MUFFLERS, TAILPIPES, RESONATORS and TIPS come into play.
Everything just mentioned is the conduit for getting the burnt gas/air mixture EXHAUSTED to the atmosphere.
Like a musical instrument which makes NOTES when air passes thru it (a trumpet, a flute, an oboe, a tuba, etc) by modifying the EXHAUST SYSTEM one can achieve different sounds, and possibly even alter the car's performance.
(The performance altering part is probably past CARS101 -- just accept the fact that changing exhaust components may improve or degrade performance).

Are we getting anywhere? Hope this helps.

CARS 101 Glossary:

Air Intake -- just as it says, the assembly that brings AIR in to the engine to mix with the gasoline
Catalytic Converter -- a filter required by law through which exhaust flows -- it removes some contaminants from the exhaust so they do not pollute the air
Muffler -- just as it sounds, a chamber which "muffles" the exhaust note of a car
Catback Exhaust system -- a retrofit exhaust system from the Catalytic Converter back to the Tips -- could be as simple as just pipes and tips, or as sophisticated as pipes, mufflers, resonators and tips.

[Drew's RT]

ask.com is a good site to go too also. Look up Idiots guide to repairing cars also.

[BUTWEET]

Hey Sue......Anytime you're reading a post about the mechanics of the car, and you feel clueless......just ask for an explanation. Any one of us would be willing to help you out. If anyone tries to seriously ridicule you....we'll back you up with a flaming that they'll never soon forget. BTW....there's a lot of high tech info going around here sometimes that I don't understand either. Heck, I always called the radio/CD player a "deck." Now I hear that it's called a "head unit." You are not alone. You're a big girl to publicly announce your automotive inadequacy.
(Go Seahawks)

I want to understand everything....maybe I need to take courses or something. I seriously don't understand how a car works! What does a muffler do, what does an air intake do....

Not trying to be silly.....just would like to understand the basic workings of a car so I can understand why these mods work.

[pigpen]

howitworks.com also.

Ask a question no question is dumb in life, if people make fun of you then ask them a question that they don't know then! What wheels? Rims or shoes?

[HEMIwoman]

Thanks guys!!! I went through most of the one website before I went to bed last night...and I really learned a lot! And all of your explanations are great..I appreciate you using layman's terms and helping me to understand.

(GO STEELERS!! )

OK..one question...why would 2 mufflers (like I have for the hemi and with the system we just got) be necessary? Just because of the power of the engine needing more exhausting, or is it more performance related?

[HEMIwoman]

OK...after reading more about air intake too...so, if I am understanding it right, some people are doing cold air intakes (kinda like what Irock put in) because the colder air makes a more powerful spark for the engine to put out more energy?

[da BoMM]

Thanks guys!!! I went through most of the one website before I went to bed last night...and I really learned a lot! And all of your explanations are great..I appreciate you using layman's terms and helping me to understand.

(GO STEELERS!! )

OK..one question...why would 2 mufflers (like I have for the hemi and with the system we just got) be necessary? Just because of the power of the engine needing more exhausting, or is it more performance related?

Most "performance cars" have "dual" exhaust -- that is, 4 cylinders (half of the V8) exhaust thru one set and the other 4 thru the other set.

It has to do with less "back-pressure" on the motor, which makes it perform better (and plus it LOOKS COOL!).

[HEMIwoman]

Thanks Bragon....that makes sense to me!

We didn't get the clamps and instructions with our demolished box when we got the catback system delivered on Monday...so now we have to wait another week for the rest of the stuff to come in so we can install...I am kinda bummed...hubby was going to install tomorrow!

[da BoMM]

OK...after reading more about air intake too...so, if I am understanding it right, some people are doing cold air intakes (kinda like what Irock put in) because the colder air makes a more powerful spark for the engine to put out more energy?

Don't get thrown off by the word "Cold" -- it's virtually impossible to control the temperature of the air that the car takes in from outside. Air Intake and Cold Air Intake are virtually the same name for the same part(s) on a car -- it's where outside air is "breathed in" to mix with the gasoline. The outside air, though, is relatively COLD versus the temperature of the engine.

Differences in Air Intakes are simply differences in how the air flows into the engine -- less obstruction, means better, faster airflow into the motor.
I think from a lot of the tests that CV et al performed, most Cold Air Intakes are purely cosmetic and provide little if no change in performance.

Now, if the outside air happens to be cold, let's say 32 degrees, an engine will probably run better, because cold air is more DENSE, and the gas/air mixture gives more powerful COMBUSTION or POWER.

Hope I'm not confusing.

[HEMIwoman]

No, not confusing at all...I have definitely noticed a difference in performance in the morning when it is colder, versus the afternoon when it is warmer...now I know why. And improving the filtration, etc with a different air intake makes sense...thanks so much for the information!

I will continue to learn...what should I focus on next Sensei? hehe