PowerNation: Engine Power Season 1 Episode 3 Old Skool Six

Old Skool Six is the third episode of the first season of the popular automotive-themed show, Engine Power, part of the PowerNation series. This episode delves into the restoration of a classic car, a 1967 Chevy Nova, powered by a six-cylinder engine. The hosts of the show, Mike and Pat, take up the challenge of upgrading the old engine to enhance its performance, without altering its classic appearance.

The Chevy Nova sports a sleek design with a timeless vibe. The hosts begin by inspecting the car and testing its performance on the road. They find that the car has an old-school six-cylinder engine that lacks the power and performance that car enthusiasts crave. The engine has a measly output of 140 horsepower, which is nowhere near enough to fulfill its muscle car persona.

Mike and Pat begin the updates on the engine by first removing it from the car. They inspect the engine to gauge its overall condition. They remove the head and notice that the cylinder walls have deep grooves, which reduces the engine's ability to generate power. The cylinders need to be honed to remove the grooves, but the hosts decided to re-bore them to increase the engine's size.

Mike and Pat decide to use cast iron heads for the engine upgrade. Cast iron heads are not only more affordable, but they also offer better flow characteristics than the original factory heads. They also opted to use a custom camshaft with a more aggressive lift profile to improve the engine's performance.

With the new heads and camshaft in place, the engine's compression ratio is set to 9:1. The compression ratio reflects the amount of fuel and air mixture the engine can pump into the system and the resulting pressure. A high compression ratio translates into better engine performance, but it must match the fuel used.

The old exhaust system also proves to be insufficient for the upgraded engine. Mike and Pat replaced it with a custom-built, larger exhaust system that allows exhaust gases to escape more quickly, which helps boost horsepower.

The hosts replace the factory intake manifold with an aftermarket intake manifold made from aluminum. Aluminum intake manifolds are lighter and offer better flow characteristics than traditional cast iron manifolds. By using an aftermarket intake manifold, they increase the engine's ability to breathe more easily, which leads to improved performance.

The carburetor is also upgraded to handle more air and fuel at the increased engine output. Consequently, the carburetor increases the engine's power output by optimizing fuel delivery as a function of size and airflow.

Finally, the engine and related systems get reassembled and put back into the car. The hosts start the restored engine, and it roars to life. The car sounds completely new, and driving it feels like heaven. The Nova's new engine generates a whopping 350 horsepower, and the car accelerates effortlessly. The engine also yields a notable improvement to the car's performance and response.

In conclusion, Old Skool Six is a fascinating episode of Engine Power that offers enthusiasts an insight into upgrading a classic car's engine. The show's hosts have managed to transform an ordinary car with a weak engine into a powerful machine that looks as good as new. With improved performance, the Chevy Nova six-cylinder engine has regained its muscle car status. Engine Power's focus on showcasing technical knowledge, expertise, and hands-on experience provides car enthusiasts with an exciting and informative show.