Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 215/370 piston bowls

[98rammer]

i had just been going through issue 37 on page 29 again. the picture shows the big differences between the 215s and the 370 marine pistons. the 370 injectors "seem to work with the 215 piston, but further study is worthwhile. " well, i'm just wondering if due to the larger bowl and different spray patterns, does the marine piston work better with 370s? would the 215s work alright in the 370 marines? basically, what are the differences (spray patterns, etc. ) and do they affect horsepower in either direction?

 

[HoleshotHolset]

If you want to get really picky or are concerned about the engine being really efficient... . the facts about the spray pattern and the piston bowl relationship are perfectly valid.



For most people... . simply injecting more fuel earlier in terms of crankshaft rotation (timing), and feeding it more boost gives you the best power increases.



There are many other tweaks that can be done, but they basically do the same thing. Anything that can allow you to shove more air/fuel into your engine and get out the exhaust rapid-like is gonna help you... . the 370's do exactly this, but they don't do it with any sort of charm or grace like a perfectly matched injector/piston setup would achieve.



Matt

 

[98rammer]

ok matt, so basically if the 370 pistons had a better shape to them that contoured to intake and exhaust valves, then they would be better (more matched)..... and better due to them having more area for air/fuel mixture over the 215 piston bowls? sounds simple really.





Edit-why can't i ever post anything right without any spelling mistakes

 

[98rammer]

with 215 injectors in 370 marine pistons--there's the bigger bowl area. due to the less fuel, wouldn't that also cause lower power due to less compression? (over 215 injectors in 215 pistons)

 

[HoleshotHolset]

We're both on the same page, but need to read the same paragraph... .



If the 370 injectors were better designed for the 215hp pistons then we'd have better efficiency. There are many reasons to change out pistons... but matching pistons to injectors isn't one of them. If you want to get picky... match your injectors to your pistons... . or closely approximate a match.



Keep it simple... . the actual amount of HP extracted from a perfectly matched set (injectors and pistons) can be significant, but hardly any of us can afford such a manuever.



Don't sweat the little things... . now go out there and make some power.



Matt

 

[98rammer]

hehe, not sweating the small things... ... just my curious mind. i say, screw english and all that other stuff, i want to learn about diesels.



btw, i finally ordered guages so i want to upgrade to 215 injectors. stock plate forward right now with the wastegate disabled and i can slip the lock up clutch in OD again. guess i gotta start saving my pennies for a tc and vb

 

[T. Baker]

I'd guess that the 370 piston has a lower compression ratio. Some times the engineers top priority is not efficiency and power but reliablilty or just making sure that the engine is not being stressed. Again I would guess that the 215 piston will make more power due to a higher compression ratio.

 

[J.R. Adkins]

In a diesel to gain more HP + TQ you need to lower the compression ratio to be able to shove more boost and fuel in! Thats why we use thicker head gaskets. More area = more room for fuel and boost = HORSEPOWER!!







J. R.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I don't regret going to college... . it was one heck of a time... . all 4 years of it!! I used to hate all the english, math, history stuff when I was your age too (and that wasn't too long ago... . ) but now I realize that it really is necessary if you want to advance in the world.



Diesels are my hobby... . not my profession. Even though at times I wish that I made different choices earlier in life as far as going to diesel school..... I will NEVER regret going to college.



If you graduate with a Bachelor's degree (like I will this coming May '03... ) and find that there aren't many jobs out there... . you can still do the diesel thing.....



Matt

 

[98rammer]

matt, that's great for you. as you know a lot of people still don't know what they want to do. i'm already signed up to go to wyotech and come out being a diesel mechanic (only a 9 month course though). i'll only have my associates degree, but that's alright. hopefully i'll start my own business one day, but that's a ways away. yeah, you are right about the english stuff (hehe, i was joking back there). i'm not a great student, but i'm generally a B student with a C here and there and a couple A's maybe. i found history to always be the most challenging, but it truely is important afterall. i'm just happy to be able to do what i want to do and have things sorted out fairly well. of course i don't know everything, and i never will. i just asked this question to learn more and i got some great answers. thanks all!



Tom-always lernin me gooder.





btw, i've grown up with that theory of 4 years of necessary college. it's drilled into your head that it needs to be that way to make yourself important in life. the last year (especially getting my truck, meeting with the other cool diesel freaks, and a bunch of other stuff) . i made up my mind to be happy--do what i want to do. yeah, i'm the only dieselhead and one of the very few motorheads in my school, whatever. someone doesn't like it, i just ignore them. respect comes from yourself and your actions; it shouldn't be dictated my your interests. ok, i'm waaay off topic now.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I'll delete my post if you delete yours... . !!



I just realized we're not even close to the original topic... . DER!



It's all up to you..... but I just saw your situation as being VERY similar to where I was back then and figured I'd throw in my two cents.



Matt