Fordnatics List Archive

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Mail From: (email redacted) (Tommy Penick)

On Inside Winston Cup they attributed the high pitch sound on
Sterling Marlin's car to head work. They said the other drivers
were calling him Nigel Marlin because of the Indy car sound.

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Dan Malek <(email redacted)>


> Date: Thu, 23 Feb 95 7:54:55 CST
> From: Tommy Penick <(email redacted)>
>
>On Inside Winston Cup they attributed the high pitch sound on
>Sterling Marlin's car to head work. They said the other drivers
>were calling him Nigel Marlin because of the Indy car sound.

It is a combination of several things. Everything from camshaft
choice and timing, to head design, to exhaust design, and engine
RPM make up that sound. However, no one uses those stupid "180
degree" headers. Lots of work for no gain, and there is no
simulation evidence that they have an advantage. The collectors have
been the area of design controversy for the past several years.
Engine builders are claiming substantial gains by making small changes
in this area. These small changes also make a big difference in
engine sound. There are a couple of standard designs, and at a
race track I can tell who is using which ones just by the sound. I
can't tell from TV because you have to hear the single cars during
practice or qualifying.


-- Dan