Tech Artciles

  • OCTANE RACING

    The octane rating is a measure of the autoignition resistance of gasoline (petrol) and other fuels used in spark-ignition internal combustion engines.

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  • HEADERS

    This article should give you a basic understanding of how a header works, what the terminology means, and how it plays a part in the header's performance gains.

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  • COMMON ACRONYMS

    This article should give you a basic understanding of how a header works, what the terminology means, and how it plays a part in the header's performance gains.

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  • MAFLESS TUNING

    The MAF is a component in a vehicle's intake system through which air flows past a wire that is heated by an electrical current. The airflow cools the wire, enabling the MAF to calculate the volume of airflow into the engine.

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  • CHIPPING

    Chipping refers to replacing or modifying an EPROM chip in the vehicle's electronic control unit (ECU) to achieve better performance, whether it be more power, cleaner emissions or better fuel economy.

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COMMON ACRONYMS

2WD - Two Wheel Drive
4WD - Four Wheel Drive

A3 - 3-speed automatic transmission
A4 - 4-speed automatic transmission
A/F - Air Fuel Ratio
APHR - Adjustable Panhard Rod (Suspension)
ATF - Automatic Transmission Fluid
AWD - All Wheel Drive

BBC - Big Block Chevy engine
BBDC - Before Bottom Dead Center
BDC - Bottom Dead Center
BHP - Brake Horsepower
BOV - Blow Off Valve (turbo related)
B/O - Bolt-On Modifications
BTDC - Before Top Dead Center
BTW - By The Way

CATS - Catalytic Converters (emissions/exhaust system)
CAI - Cold Air Induction
CI - Cubic Inches (engine displacement)
CKP - Crankshaft Position (sensor)
CMP - Camshaft Position (sensor)
CR - Compression Ratio

DEG - Degrees (timing or temperature)
DR's - Drag Radial Tyres
DSL - Driveshaft Safety Loop
DTC - Diagnostic Trouble Code

ECM - Engine Control Module
ECL - Exhaust Lobe Center Line (camshaft)
ECT - Engine Coolant Temperature (sensor)
EGR - Exhaust Gas Recirculation (emissions system)
EGT - Exhaust Gas Temperature
E/T - Elapsed Time (drag racing time measurement)

FI - Forced Induction (turbos, superchargers)
FMIC - Front Mounted Intercooler (turbo)
FPR - Fuel Pressure Regulator
FPSS - Fuel Pressure Safety Switch
FRC - Fuel Rail Covers
FWD - Front Wheel Drive
FWIW - For What Its Worth

H/C - Heads and Camshaft
HO2S - Heated Oxygen Sensor
HP - Horsepower

IAC - Idle Air Control (solenoid)
IAT - Intake Air Temperature (sensor)
ICL - Intake Lobe Center Line (camshaft)
IGN - Ignition
IMHO - In My Humble Opinion
IRS - Independent Rear Suspension

K&N - Brand name of air filter
KR - Knock Retard (tuning)

LCA - Lower Control Arm (suspension)
LMAO - Laughing my ass off
LOL - Laughing out loud
LT1 - Generation 2 GM smallblock V8 engine (introduced 1992)
LT4 - Generation 2 GM smallblock V8 engine (introduced 1996)
LT5 - GM/Lotus/Mercury Marine joint collaboration project, DOHC 5.7L V8 engine found in the Corvette ZR-1 (introduced 1990)
LS1 - GM 5.7L small block
LS2 - GM 6.0L small block
LSA - Lobe Seperation Angle (camshaft)
LT - Long Tube Headers
LTFT - Long Term Fuel Trim (tuning)
LTRIM - Long Term Fuel Trim (tuning)

M6 - 6-speed transmission
MAF - Mass Air Flow sensor (measures amount of air entering intake)
MAP - Manifold Absolute Pressure (sensor)

N/A - Naturally Aspirated (all-motor)
N20 - Nitrous Oxide
NOS - Nitrous Oxide Systems (brand name)
NWS - Not Work Safe (do not click link if you are at work, unsuitable material inside)

O2 - Oxygen Sensor

PCM - Powertrain Control Module (your vehicles engine/tranny computer)
PCV - Positive Crankcase Ventilation (emissions system)
PE - Power Enrichment (tuning)
PHR - Panhard Rod (suspension)
PITA - Pain In The Ass
POS - Piece Of ****
P/P - Ported And Polished

ROFLMAO - Rolling On Floor Laughing My Ass Off
RPM - Revolutions Per Minute (engine speed)
RWD - Rear Wheel Drive
RWHP - Rear Wheel Horsepower
RWTQ - Rear Wheel Torque

SAE - Society of Automotive Engineers
SBC - Small Block Chevy engine
SC - Super Charger
SES - Service Engine Soon lamp (on dash)
SFC - Subframe Connectors
SOTP - Seat Of The Pants
SS - Super Sport
STB - Strut Tower Brace
STFT - Short Term Fuel Trim (tuning)
STRIM - Short Term Fuel Trim (tuning)

T56 - actual part name for the M6 transmission
TB - Throttle Body
TBODY - Throttle Body
TC - Torque Converter
TDC - Top Dead Center
TFP - Transmission Fluid Pressure (switch/valve)
TH350 - Turbo Hydromatic 3-speed automatic transmission
TH400 - Heavy Duty Turbo Hydromatic 3-speed automatic transmission
TP - Throttle Position
TPS - Throttle Postion Sensor
TQ - Torque
TT - Twin Turbo
TTOP - T-Top roof
TTT - "To The Top"

UCA - Upper control arm (front suspension)

VATS - Vehicle Anti-theft system (coded chip in ignition key)
VERT - Convertible
VSS - Vehicle speed sensor

WB O2 - Wide Band Oxygen Sensor
WOT - Wide open throttle
WTB - Want to buy
WTF - What the ****?
WTT - Want to trade