When is it time to start with a fresh engine

[Sulaco77]

How do you know when it’s time to regulate your current LO206 engine to a practice engine and start with a fresh one for races? Will the LO206 hold similar power output throughout the years with yearly refreshes?

 

[Boostismyfriend]

When they protest you and tell you your security seal don’t have the 2020 black tracer on it, lol

 

[Jimbo]

One indicator could be when you slow down, but then the question becomes if that is because of some other issue like your chassis, tires or driving
A better way is when you have your engine dyno tested by a reputable engine builder and he tells you that you are down on power.
However, unfortunately, sometimes tech isn't what it should be and if you have someone doing things that they shouldn't be doing it can make you chase the impossible.

 

[fatboy1dh]

Jimbo is right in that a dyno is the only certain way. However, you can see pretty good correlation between leakdown and engine power. For pretty cheap, you can get a decent leakdown gauge and check total leakdown, head, and block. Keeping an eye on these numbers over time will be good enough for the average Joe do-it-yourselfer.

 

[CarlsonMotorsports]

The leakdown gauge will also help you determine WHERE the leakage occurs. If it's past the valves, then address that with proper valve/seat work. If it's past the rings/cylinder, then it's time for a new shortblock. Don't get overly concerned with leakage past the rings though -- I've seen some engines that smoked pretty badly (due to scores in the cylinder) that ran extremely well on the track (and on the dyno.)
I've got engines that are still competitive clear back to the original seals where they're still allowed to compete.
If you've hurt the cylinder enough to hurt power, then obviously it's time to replace it.



-----
Thanks and God bless,
Brian Carlson
Carlson Racing Engines
Vector Cutz
www.CarlsonMotorsports.com
Carlson Motorsports on Facebook
32 years of service to the karting industry
Linden, IN
765-339-4407
bcarlson@CarlsonMotorsports.com

 

[harrym]

Unless you have an original dyno sheet, dyno would be worthless. A good leakdown tester will tell you a lot. You can make a dyno say anything you want

 

[Jimbo]

Comparing dyno data from one engine to 25, 50, 100 or more results from other engines tells you a lot about the condition and performance of the engine you are testing. More so than a leak down test.