K guys and gals, I just have a little question for you. I understand what compression is and how it relates to boost and all - I just want to know how a piston shape changes compression. I haven't found any good info on the web about that, or in the archives here.


If compression is the ratio of the cylinder vol (TDC:BDC), how can changing the piston do anything to change the ratio? I mean, if the piston is made taller, won't it change the BDC and TDC vol the same? Or will it change the TDC vol more than the BDC vol - which I'm thinking might be the case.

Could you keep the piston the same height and change the length of the connecting rod instead? Is that atypical?


One last Q - why does a NSX use titanium connecting rods? That's seems like serious overkill for 290 hp. Has anybody here thought about using titanium? No, I don't have deep pockets (still a student) I'm just asking.