Is there a good place to learn how an engine works online?

[RA708]

I've watched a basic videos on how a petrol car engine works. It would be good to find some more in depth stuff. I plan to do a few builds in the future and I would like to know how I can get hands on instead of sending it into a shop all the time.

[PranK]

Youtube mate.

 

 

 

 

What 'in depth' are you looking for ?

 

[RA708]

On 05/06/2025 at 2:31 PM, PranK said:

 

What 'in depth' are you looking for ?

 

Exactly how each part works and how they all work together to make the engine function. That's all I'd need to do a basic build. Maybe how forced induction works.

I probably need to learn some of the maths behind it all as well.

[Murray_Calavera]

3 hours ago, RA708 said:

I plan to do a few builds in the future

What are you planning to do specifically? 

3 hours ago, RA708 said:

I probably need to learn some of the maths behind it all as well.

I would be very surprised if you need to learn any math for these 'few builds' you have planned for the future.

[RA708]

On 05/06/2025 at 5:57 PM, Murray_Calavera said:

What are you planning to do specifically? 

I would be very surprised if you need to learn any math for these 'few builds' you have planned for the future.

I have a terrible idea to twin charge a BNR34. Or an r35. So compression ratios and how they work as well as what certain measurements do for an engine (bore that sorta stuff). I will probably upgrade what ever engine it is with forged rods and pistons and some other strength upgrades.

[Murray_Calavera]

3 minutes ago, RA708 said:

I have a terrible idea to twin charge a BNR34. Or an r35. So compression ratios and how they work as well as what certain measurements do for an engine (bore that sorta stuff). I will probably upgrade what ever engine it is with forged rods and pistons and some other strength upgrades.

Not trying to be rude here, I'm guessing your currently not old enough to drive yet? 

If this is the case, I'd stick with just watching stuff on youtube. If you find the right channels you can actually learn quite a bit there. 

[RA708]

On 05/06/2025 at 6:48 PM, Murray_Calavera said:

Not trying to be rude here, I'm guessing your currently not old enough to drive yet? 

 

How could you tell??/??/???/? Yeah I got no idea what I'm talking about haha. I'll be on P's soon.

Quote

If this is the case, I'd stick with just watching stuff on youtube. If you find the right channels you can actually learn quite a bit there.

Yeah I figured that would be the case. Just wanna start learning to see how stupid of an idea it is. In general, I want to know so I can mod in future. It's interesting to know.

Thanks!

[Murray_Calavera]

@RA708

All good mate. 

Once you get your first car and can get hands on, that's when you'll really start to learn. 

There are a million channels worth watching on youtube, but I'd like to make a recommendation. Check out the project binky series. Just a little bit of modding happening there, I think you'll find it interesting

 https://www.youtube.com/@BadObsessionMotorsport

[Duncan]

Save the youtube time, I can explain in a couple of sentences:

 

Internal Combustion Engines run on smoke which is factory installed. If at any time the smoke escapes (generally via the exhaust), the engine will stop running.

[GTSBoy]

1 hour ago, Duncan said:

Internal Combustion Engines run on smoke which is factory installed. If at any time the smoke escapes (generally via the exhaust), the engine will stop running.

That's not completely truthful now is it? Any flex fuelled factory cars also had the option to run on steam.

[MBS206]

2 hours ago, Duncan said:

Save the youtube time, I can explain in a couple of sentences:

 

Internal Combustion Engines run on smoke which is factory installed. If at any time the smoke escapes (generally via the exhaust), the engine will stop running.

And these modern "environmentally friendly" EV vehicles also run on the same smoke! When the engine, wiring, or batteries let it escape it also stops running!

[RA708]

On 07/06/2025 at 9:13 AM, Duncan said:

Internal Combustion Engines run on smoke which is factory installed. If at any time the smoke escapes (generally via the exhaust), the engine will stop running.

Oh ok that makes so much sense. Thanks for clearing it up!