Over the past decade and a half, diesel engines have exploded in popularity in the United States and around the world. Diesel vehicles offer a great combination of power and practicality. However, many people do not understand how diesel engines work and what separates them from gasoline engines. This article will discuss three of the main differences and why diesel performance upgrades are so effective.

A diesel engine Willys Workshop uses compression to generate power rather than combustion. As a result, the engine can achieve much higher torque levels than its gasoline counterpart. This makes for instant acceleration. This initial surge is short lived, as the engine is only able to maintain its high torque output for a limited number of revolutions. This is why most diesel engines have a smaller power band than their gasoline counterparts.

Diesel vs. Gasoline: Debunking the Myths of Diesel Performance

When a diesel is modified for higher performance, the camshaft must be adjusted. Since most stock diesel engines run at very low rpm, the factory valve springs are fairly mild and do not put a lot of load on the cam lobes. Using stiffer valve springs will increase the load on the cam lobes, which may cause them to wear out prematurely unless a good crankcase oil and crankcase additive is used that contains ZDDP (Zinc Dialkyl Dithio Phosphate).

Another common diesel performance upgrade is a cold air intake. By increasing the amount of air entering the engine, horsepower and fuel mileage are increased. This is also one of the most inexpensive and easiest diesel performance upgrades to perform.