How well your vehicle performs on various terrain and at various speeds is closely related to how well maintained its engine other components are. The state of these components is crucial to the state of your Holden's performance as they are responsible for generating the power needed to rotate the wheels. These parts are called performance parts and they don't just matter in a sports car.
Performance parts matter in your daily driver too, be it a hatchback or pickup truck. This is why finding the right performance parts for Holden is also important. Sometimes replacing parts is what will make your Holden run better or at least as it used to. So why not add the Holden performance upgrades that have a direct effect on performance and efficiency too?
Connecting Rods
What Are They?
First off we have connecting rods, also known as conrods. The fact that they are first, doesn't mean they are more important though. All of these Holden spare parts here are equally important when it comes to engine performance. Conrods are components that link the pistons to the camshaft. They are crucial for the operation of both and fr the transfer of the motion generated from the pistons.
Types
There are three types of conrods I-beam, H-beam, and X-beam. I-beam conrods have their inside in the shape of the letter “I” and are the most common and affordable ones. They are however not as performance-oriented as H-beam conrods. H-beam conrods are used in engines with a turbocharger where a lot of HP is generated. If you want conrods made for high-speed, low torque engines then you should go for I-beam instead. X-beam connecting rods are a cross between the other two and act like some sort of hybrid that can be used in any type of engine.
Pistons
What Are They?
The pistons are moving Holden performance upgrades which help push the camshaft when the controlled explosion generated from the burning fuel makes it move. This motion is generated through the connecting rod. If it isn't for the pistons all that force would go to waste.
What to Consider
When choosing an engine piston you need to consider three things. This includes wrist pin height, materials, and clearance.
The material a piston is made of can be either alloy or steel. Steel pistons do not expand as much when it comes to high heat but they are heavier. Alloy ones expand more but they are lighter and can bear higher temperatures a lot better.
The wrist pin height determines the mass of the piston. The taller the piston wrist pin is the smaller the piston and vice versa. Lighter pistons move faster which makes them ideal in high-speed applications.
The valve-to-piston clearance is the space between the piston and valve. It is something that needs to be compatible with the material of the pistons. Steel pistons require less clearance since they expand less while alloy ones need more valve-to-piston clearance.
Camshaft
What is It?
The camshaft is what transfers the force coming from the pistons to the wheels. Although there are more components between the camshaft and the wheels, they are not considered to be performance parts for Holden. The camshaft is what works together with the crankshaft in order to open and close the valves at the right moment so that the generated force is transferred at the right time.
Types
There are three types of camshafts SOHC, DOHC, and OHV. OHV or overhead valve camshafts are used in pushrod engines. Although they are similar to SOHC and DOHC camshafts, OHV camshafts are placed inside the engine block. SOHC camshafts or single overhead camshafts are used in engines that need one camshaft per head. This is the oldest camshaft design. DOHC or double overhead camshafts have two camshafts per bank (head). These are used in engines that have more than four valves per cylinder.
Fuel Injectors
What Are They
Unlike the above-mentioned Holden spare parts, fuel injectors are electronically controlled. They are a type of valve that helps deliver fuel to the engine. The fuel is mixed with air and a spark that helps it ignite and make the necessary force that moves the pistons. A fuel injector needs to be able to introduce fuel at the right time and in the right amount to ensure that the engine runs optimally.
Types
There are 4 types of fuel injector systems. You have TBI, MPFI, SFI, and direct fuel injection. Direct fuel injection systems send the fuel directly into the combustion chamber which makes it the most efficient since it doesn't waste any fuel. TBI or throttle body injection is a system that replaces carburettors and it uses two fuel injectors controlled by the onboard computer.
MPFI or multi-point (port) fuel injection systems have one injector for every intake port of the manifold. The fuel travels more since it's dumped into a different component until it reaches the cylinders. SFI or sequential fuel injection systems are similar to MPFI systems as they too dump fuel in the same way. Except that the injection is more controlled which makes it more efficient.
