Re: Port and Polish

[Robert Malinka <rmalinka@spec.net>]

At 05:40 PM 7/12/98 -0700, you wrote:
>This may sound stupid, but anything to get this cop topic to disappear..
>
>What is a Port and Polish? I mean what do they actually do, and how does
>this affect performance? I am VERY curious.
>
>Patrick Sherman
>mailto:patrick@volkswagen.org
>1997 VENTO VR6 / Tornado Red / 18K
>"One cannot live on air alone....Add Water"
>
>
>

Patrick,

It is exactly what it sounds like and that is that air like most physics is
subject to friction. (BTW I happen to be a sailor and race so this is very
important if you are to understand laminar flow and the venturi effect for
boat speed. In sailboat racing the difference of a quarter of a second
faster boat speed can translate into a winning boat versus a noncontender.
Winning times are measured in tenths of a second. That's why when we round a
mark we use a stop watch to time how long it takes your competitor to reach
the mark. Repeating this procedure at the next mark can tell you if he's
catching you or if you are opening up a bigger lead.  This then will
determine the strategy utilized to keep in front of your competitor by
"covering closely" or "loose cover" or just ignore him and sail your own
race.)  What you want is a smooth as possible surface and you want to open
it up to improve the dynamic efficiency of the opening.  By doing this you
increase the volumetric efficiency thereby bringing in more air faster
exponentially. Opening the intake even a small percentage using smooth
surfaces can have a dramatic effect on increasing volume which translates to
more horsepower. The same principles are used by aircraft designers to
design wings, flaps, engine enclosures as well as the jet engines themselves
(turbine blades, etc.).  A little long winded explanation but hope this
helps. If you need more info drop me an E-mail.


Bob