German automakers Volkswagen, Porsche similarities end under hood
An Austrian engineer named Ferdinand Porsche conceptualized the pioneer models of German automakers Volkswagen and Porsche, and not a few times afterward did the two companies engage in technology sharing and parts innovations. Volkswagen and Porsche models are traditionally built with similar parts specifications, with both companies said to use the same parts technology installed on their car models.
As close as their reported collaboration is, the engine bays of Volkswagen and Porsche automobiles are where the similarities end. The two companies had earmarked their cars for disparate, and extreme, portions of the automotive market. Translated “People’s Car,” Volkswagen underlines reliability, car handling, and passenger comfort in its models, while Porsche boasts of race-specs automobiles that stress engine performance.
The engine bay is the chief flashpoint of Volkswagen and Porsche similarities. With a reputation built over decades of success in races and rallies, Porsche has been known for powerful engines. In reining in its vaunted engine power, Porsche adopted the industry-standard reliability of Volkswagen cars. Only that it was improved on account of the more engine power being churned out under the hood of the Porsche.
Heat is one byproduct of engine power production. In order that the Porsche can perform flat out in the face of engine heat, an equally up-to-specs Porsche radiator acts as a heat exchanger. Heat exchangers, like the Volkswagen and Porsche radiators, play a critical function in all internal combustion engines. It helps keep the vehicle from overheating. Connected to several channels running through the engine and cylinder head, Volkswagen and Porsche radiators pump into the engine a mixture of water and antifreeze to dampen engine heat. Because Porsche engines are built for performance, Porsche radiator is engineered for higher heat tolerance than what the Volkswagen radiator can handle.
A device located between the engine and the radiator called the thermostat is another key component of Volkswagen and Porsche cooling system. The thermostat remains closed and restricts coolant flow until the engine reaches the thermostat’s activation temperature. This enables the engine temperature to remain in the ideal operating range. The thermostat closes and allows heat to build up in the engine when the engine gets too cold, and it opens and allows heat to be removed by the radiator when the engine becomes too warm.
Without an up-to-specs radiator, heat is likely to build up in the engine bay and affect car performance. Apart from car overheating and stalling, another downside of heat buildup on a Volkswagen is a blown head gasket. Designed to keep the cylinder head shut tight, a Volkswagen head gasket is responsible for sealing in the high-pressure air and fuel burn materials. It keeps the combustion quality of the fuel, but with the engine heat building up under the hood, the Volkswagen head gasket is at risk of blowing up and leaves the burn materials inside the cylinder loose and not optimized for combustion.
A Porsche head gasket is made differently from those installed on a Volkswagen, in a way similar to the Volkswagen and Porsche radiators. Made of thinner and heat-treated steel, the Porsche head gasket is necessarily designed to keep up with the performance of the Porsche engine.
Within the engine bay, a Porsche oil duct serves as failsafe to a blown head gasket. It provides additional cooling for the engine and keeps the Porsche engine well-oiled. As in any parts assembly, the Porsche engine is set up to work smoothly if its parts are well lubricated. A device called OEM Porsche oil filter is installed on the inlet to the engine from the oil pump. Fitted with a resin impregnated glass filtration media, which sifts oil up to 1 micron level, Porsche oil filters are designed to keep the engine lubricated with clean and quality oil. Its high-performing, high-oil flow filter media ensures that your engine will never run out of good lubrication.
Compared to Volkswagen parts, the Porsche radiator, head gasket, and oil filter are considered performance parts. They complement a high-performing engine and keeps in step with the car’s power production requirement, while Volkswagen parts like the radiator sport industry-standard specs. These parts specifications of Porsche and Volkswagen models are chiefly dependent on the engine class of the car, allowing the car to run at the performance level of the engine.
Written by Car Enthusiast on May 25th, 2007 with
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