Advanced active engine dynamometers are invariably housed in test cells, where the test environment can be closely controlled. This month I want to look at the design and engineering requirements of these cells, specifically the installation and types of ancillary systems including, but not limited to, coolant and environmental systems. Engine testing is essentially a scientific experiment and, as such, as many factors as possible need to be tightly controlled to ensure reliable and...

There are a wide range of materials used in the racing powertrain, but although much progress has been made since man started motor racing more than a century ago, the vast majority of a modern race engine and transmission is still made of metal. However, this has been slowly changing for some time. Currently there are few applications of composites in race engines, although development is limited in many cases by regulation. In the past decade we have seen various engines sporting...