UK Karting - Notice Board (Combined Forum) : Re: Engine tuners RIP

Notice Board (Combined Forum)

Re: Engine tuners RIP
Posted by 'SimonS' on 23 Dec 2014 @ 10:03

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SimonSJoined: December 2004
Total Posts: 4
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I agree that engines vary, however the question is whether they vary more or less than they do after 'tuning'.

Which leads us back to a definition of 'tuning'. Is it a definition of performance or is it a definition of appearance. I suspect that the idea of a specification is that by defining the exact dimensions of an engine one defines the performance, and that therefore 'tuning' is meant to define performance, to ensure that everyone has engines with the same characteristics.

However, underlying the advocacy of tuning is the idea that certain tuners will give one a performance advantage. F1, with a tight specification, demonstrates how apparently identical engines can produce significant differences in power. There is little argument that many of the drivers in F1 are of similar ability, that the real differentiator between World Champion and also-ran lies in the machinery, not the skills.

The idea of modern mass produced engines, with electronic ignition and engine mapping produces engines that are closer in performance than engines that have been fettled and tuned with the idea of creating performance advantage.

So what is the underlying culture that is dying out? It appears to me that the many complaints here are aimed at the culture of expensive compliance with rules designed to support elite racing, yet 'tuning' seems to be entirely about creating elite teams, able to engage the exclusive services of particular engine tuners.
Is the culture that you are talking about one in which 'tuning' was a response to mechanical and production shortcomings, a response now arguably overtaken by manufacturing improvements or is 'tuning' of itself a culture worth preserving?

I think that if you are referring to a past culture, the 'Dad and lad' turning up with the kart on the roof of the car and setting up a tent, able to compete against the best in the business because Dad could 'tune' the engine, then I think there are a lot more factors that affect that than simply the loss of 'tuning'.

And, of course, I am looking at 'kart engines' produced in comparatively small numbers, rather than the use of multi-purpose engines, produced in large numbers. The culture of tuning might be relevant where we could take any 100 cc motorbike engine and hope for it to be competitive against purpose-built racing engines, but apart from Hondas, do we still have anything in that category?

It's like the desire to have multiple suppliers in a single class. The lack is not down to a loss of ability but the fact that consolidation means that most of the former producers are now owned by the same company.
Much as those of us who are proud to drive a Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, SEAT, Škoda, Volkswagen, Ducati motorcycle or MAN truck are actually buying from the same company and often driving variations of the same engine!

Message Thread:

Engine tuners RIP by 'PortlandBill' (22 Dec 2014 @ 8:37)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'BanzaiBoy' (22 Dec 2014 @ 13:37)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'BrianP' (22 Dec 2014 @ 15:44)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'PaulMRotax' (22 Dec 2014 @ 15:50)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'BanzaiBoy' (22 Dec 2014 @ 15:57)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'PaulMRotax' (22 Dec 2014 @ 17:27)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'SimonS' (22 Dec 2014 @ 18:19)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'goman' (22 Dec 2014 @ 18:50)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'alanrr' (22 Dec 2014 @ 21:54)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'BanzaiBoy' (23 Dec 2014 @ 11:39)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'SimonS' << You are here!

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'PortlandBill' (23 Dec 2014 @ 10:48)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'alanrr' (23 Dec 2014 @ 10:55)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'BD' (23 Dec 2014 @ 11:09)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'PortlandBill' (23 Dec 2014 @ 11:17)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'BanzaiBoy' (23 Dec 2014 @ 12:04)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'BD' (23 Dec 2014 @ 12:51)

In answer to your question B D (off topic slightly) by 'BanzaiBoy' (23 Dec 2014 @ 14:32)

Re: In answer to your question B D (off topic slig by 'BilandRacer9' (23 Dec 2014 @ 15:44)

Re: In answer to your question B D (off topic slig by 'alanrr' (23 Dec 2014 @ 16:06)

Formula Blue website and marketing by 'goman' (23 Dec 2014 @ 19:03)

Re: Formula Blue website and marketing by 'BilandRacer9' (24 Dec 2014 @ 13:01)

Re: Formula Blue website and marketing by 'SimonS' (29 Dec 2014 @ 11:27)

Re: Formula Blue website and marketing by 'goman' (29 Dec 2014 @ 11:43)

Re: In answer to your question B D (off topic slig by 'BD' (23 Dec 2014 @ 16:30)

Re: In answer to your question B D (off topic slig by 'alanrr' (23 Dec 2014 @ 17:17)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'MaxRacewear' (23 Dec 2014 @ 16:04)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'FlyingCarpet' (23 Dec 2014 @ 17:29)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'goman' (23 Dec 2014 @ 19:05)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'VanDiemen' (24 Dec 2014 @ 12:24)

Re: Engine tuners RIP by 'BanzaiBoy' (24 Dec 2014 @ 13:27)

StarsofKarting TaG/SKUSA TaG? What about 4stroke!! by 'Attack2001' (24 Dec 2014 @ 23:50)

Re: StarsofKarting TaG/SKUSA TaG? What about 4stro by 'BanzaiBoy' (25 Dec 2014 @ 9:28)

Re: StarsofKarting TaG/SKUSA TaG? What about 4stro by 'LoneRanger' (25 Dec 2014 @ 13:01)

Re: StarsofKarting TaG/SKUSA TaG? What about 4stro by 'Attack2001' (25 Dec 2014 @ 13:21)

Nah! Thomas, the Biland sounds.................... by 'alanrr' (25 Dec 2014 @ 17:05)

Re: Nah! Thomas, the Biland sounds gorgeous by 'BrianP' (25 Dec 2014 @ 17:18)

Re: open TaG by 'kai' (25 Dec 2014 @ 23:37)

Re: open TaG by 'karter212000' (26 Dec 2014 @ 6:43)

Re: open TaG by 'SimonS' (26 Dec 2014 @ 12:33)

Re: open TaG by 'Attack2001' (26 Dec 2014 @ 22:03)

Re: open TaG by 'MaxRacewear' (26 Dec 2014 @ 22:36)

Re: What if i want to do sprint racing? NT by 'Attack2001' (26 Dec 2014 @ 23:40)

Re: open TaG by 'faster' (27 Dec 2014 @ 9:54)

Re: open TaG by 'NikG' (05 Jan 2015 @ 4:27)

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