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| 2 Cycle | A reciprocating engine in which the intake, compression, combustion and exhaust phases are completed each revolution of the crankshaft. |
| 4 Cycle | A reciprocating engine in which the intake, compression, combustion and exhaust phases are completed each two revolutions of the crankshaft. |
| A-Pillar | The forward most roof support in a passenger car, which also serves as the side support for the windshield. |
| Accelerator Pedal | A foot-operated device which allows the driver to vary the degree of opening of the induction system throttle(s). |
| Accessible | Capable of being reached without removal of other components. |
| Accumulator | A pressurized free-piston device, in which the compression of a fixed volume of air by the piston, upon the application of a force caused by fluid under pressure, provides a pressurized reservoir of the fluid. |
| Adjustable Timing Gear | A camshaft drive gear or sprocket which permits a range of angular adjustment of the outer portion relative to the attachment point of the driven camshaft. |
| Advance Curve | The degrees of distributor advance from the static setting as a function of rotational speed, usually achieved by a system of rotating weights, springs, and limit stops within the distributor body. |
| Advance Plate | The plate inside a distributor on which the ignition points are mounted, which is free to rotate over a prescribed angle in response to the actions of the advance mechanism(s), thus altering the phase relationship of the points and distributor cam. |
| Advance Springs | Springs which provide the restoring force against the actions of the advance mechanism(s) in a distributor. |
| Aerodynamic Device | An attachment to, or an integral part of, a car intended to E generate atmospheric downforce by the action of air flowing through or around the attachment. |
| Aerodynamic Skins | Body panels, movable or fixed, at the bottom of the sides of a car's body, which aid in the creation of "ground effects" downforce by ensuring that little air passing under the car can escape at the sides. |
| Aeraquip Line | A brand name, used generically, for a braided metal-covered hose. |
| Air Cleaner | An induction system component intended to filter particulate matter from the incoming air. |
| Air Dam | An air control device at the lower front of a car, intended to divert some of the air which would normally pass under the car when the car is in motion. |
| Air Horn | See Velocity Stack. |
| Air Pump | An engine-driven pump intended to provide a supply of air (without fuel) to the engine to assist in the reduction of pollution components. |
| Air Throttle | The valve which allows the driver to modulate the volume of air passing into a fuel injection induction system. |
| Airfoil | An aerodynamic device or part of a car which the flow of air over its surface will generate a vertical force by creating a pressure differential between top and bottom surfaces. |
| Alter | To change a component by modifying. |
| Alternator | A component intended to generate current with which to maintain a proper level of charge in the on-board storage battery. |
| AN Coupler | A threaded high pressure hydraulic coupling of the type normally used with metal braided hose. |
| Annular Discharge | A carburetor type in which the fuel is introduced into the flowing air from an annulus on the periphery of the main duct. |
| Anti-Roll Bar (Sway bar) | A torsion control device connected to a car's structure, and to moving portions of the suspension, which is intended to control body roll. (Some types of ARB may also serve as a suspension component.) |
| Anti-Submarine Strap | A safety strap intended to provide additional support against motions of the driver's lower torso in the forward direction. |
| Aspect Ratio | The ratio of tire section height to section width, expressed as a percentage. |
| Attachment Paints (Suspension) | The locations at which the fixed and moving ends of a shock absorber are mounted and/or the location of the S suspension component on the frame or structure of a car. |
| Automobile | See Car GCR 2.10. |
| Axle Housing | The housing which contains axle shafts and may provide support for wheel hubs. |
| Axle Shaft | A shaft whose purpose is to carry rotational drive from a differential or transaxle to the driven wheels, or simply to support one (I) or two (2) undriven wheel hub(s). |
| Axle Tube | See Axle Housing. Also, the beam connecting the rear wheels on a front wheel drive car, |
| Backing Plate | A braking component used in drum type brake systems, generally to support the brake shoes and wheel cylinder(s) at a wheel. |
| Baffle | A plate or panel in a fluid container, which is designed to inhibit the rapid transfer of the fluid within the container when it is subject to changing dynamic forces. |
| Balance (Verb) | To minimize the dynamic off-axis forces of rotating components, or to equalize the weights of like reciprocating components. |
| Balance Pipe | A tubular induction system component which connects two (2) or more independent branches of the system. |
| Ball Joint | A bearing coupling, generally in suspension or steering systems, consisting of two (2) mating surfaces, one (I) convex and one (1) concave, which permits a range of angular displacements of the two (2) attached shafts over a prescribed range. |
| Ballast | Non-functional mass fastened inside a car to increase the weight of the car. |
| Base Circle | The constant radius portion of a camshaft lobe which is closest to the centerline of the camshaft. |
| Battery (Storage) | An on-board electrical storage component which may be used to activate electrical devices or systems, such as starter, ignition, etc. |
| Battery Box | A covered container for an on-board storage battery. |
| Beam Axle | A solid, non-rotating axle connecting the undriven wheels of a car. |
| Bearing | A mechanical component provided to allow connected parts to move with respect to one another in a manner consistent with durability and minimal friction. |
| Bearing Carrier | A housing in which the bearings carrying a shaft are mounted. |
| Bell Housing | A nominally bell-shaped extension or attachment to the engine or transmission which serves as a coupler between these assemblies, and usually encloses the clutch/flywheel assembly. |
| Belt Drive (Car) | A drive system in which the engine power is coupled to the driven wheels through a flexible belt and pulleys. |
| Bezel/Rim | Outer trim components which determine the assembled appearance. |
| Bias Ply Construction | A tire construction in which the structural plies of the W main carcass form an angle considerably greater than zero relative to a cross section of the tire. |
| Big End | The crankshaft end of a connecting rod. |
| Blanking Sleeve | A replacement for a thermostat designed to divert the flow of cooling water away from the cooling system bypass circuit. |
| Block | The elemental component of a reciprocating engine which contains at least the cylinder location(s) and the crankshaft mounting points. |
| Blueprinting | The practice of engine improvement achieved by the use of selected standard pads and/or by optimizing the factory machined surfaces of stock engine components to achieve the most advantageous specifications within the normal range as defined by the manufacturer for that engine. |
| Body | All parts of the car licked by the airstream and situated above the belly-pan/floor with exception of the roll bar or cage. For Formula and Sports Racing cars, further exceptions are those units definitely associated with the function of the engine or transmission. |
| BodyPanel | A replaceable section of the body. |
| Bodywork | See Body. |
| Bolt Pattern | The arrangement of bolts or other fasteners used to join two (2) components. |
| Boost | The degree of induction pressurizing in a turbo/supercharged engine. |
| Boot Cover | A cover for the area behind the driver/passenger seating area in an open car. |
| Bore | The diameter of a cylinder. |
| Boss | A protrusion from a casting or forging which provides the surface(s) and/or structure necessary to accomplish particular function of the component. |
| Brake Light | A signaling light mounted on the rear of the car, which may be actuated only by driver braking actions. |
| Brake Lining/Pad | Replaceable friction material which accomplishes braking action by making rubbing contact with the brake drum or rotor |
| Brake Rotor | The disc component of a braking system, which isattached to a wheel hub and provides a friction surface for braking actions. |
| Braking System | A system, including hydraulic and mechanical components, which allows the driver to reduce the velocity of a car. |
| Breather Vent | An aperture which allows the flow of air into or out of an enclosure. |
| Bulb | A lighting system component which contains the actual light emitting element(s). |
| Bulkhead | A partition separating compartments. |
| Bump Steer | The change in toe-in or toe-out which results from changes in suspension geometry as the wheel(s) rises or fails from its neutral position. |
| Bump Stop | A cushioning pad which acts as the limit to suspension travel in one vertical direction. |
| Bumper | A semi-rigid attachment to the structure of a car at the front or rear, which is intended to absorb a portion of low speed front or rear collision forces. |
| Bumper Block | See Bump Stop. |
| Bushing/Bush | A sleeve or tubular insert, whose purpose is to reduce t h e dimension(s) of an existing hole. |
| C-Pillar | The body roof support bordering on the rear window or hatch. |
| Caliper | A braking system component which is the disc brake equivalent of a wheel cylinder, and converts hydraulic pressure into mechanical braking force at a wheel. |
| Cam Carrier | That portion of a reciprocating engine that contains the supporting bearings for an overhead camshaft. |
| Cam Cover | Equivalent to a valve cover in an engine with an overhead cam. |
| Camber | The angle of a wheel relative to true vertical. Negative camber implies that the top of the wheel is closer than the bottom to the car's centerline. |
| Camber Compensator | A wheel location device designed to control the wheel camber under varying conditions of bump/rebound. |
| Camshaft | An engine component, driven by the crankshaft, whose function is to actuate the valves, and often, to drive other engine components. |
| Camshaft Timing | The phase relationship of the camshaft to the crankshaft, which determines when in the crankshaft cycle the valves will open. |
| Canard | A near-horizontal aerodynamic device normally mounted at the extreme front of a (race) car. |
| Carburetor | The component of a non-fuel injection induction system which achieves the mixing of fuel and air to create a combustible mixture. |
| Car | See GOR 2.10. |
| Caster | The angle which the swivel axis of a steered wheel makes with t h e vertical in the fore/aft direction. |
| Catalytic Converter | An emissions control device in the exhaust system which reduces emissions by catalysis. |
| Catch Tank | A container with the purpose of collecting liquid, generally~ lubricant, vented from an engine, transmission, transaxle, or differential and~ preventing the loss, from the car, of the liquid. |
| cc | Cubic centimeter (a unit of volume). |
| Center-Lock | A type of road wheel/hub which is retained by a single central fastener |
| Centerline | A line coincident with the axis of rotational symmetry of a component. |
| Centrifugal Clutch | A clutch which automatically engages in response to an increase from low engine speed, and disengages upon return to low speed operation. |
| Chain Drive | A drive system in which the engine power is transmitted through a chain and sprockets. |
| Chapman Strut | An adaptation of the McPherson strut for a rear suspension (without steering swivel). |
| Check Valve | A valve designed to prevent the flow of a fluid in one direction, while allowing relatively unimpeded flow in the opposite direction. |
| Choke | A carbureted induction system mechanism which, when actuated, causes an enrichment of the fuel/air mixture to assist cold starting. |
| Clinch Nut | A threaded female fastener which has been distorted on one end to supply a gripping force when assembled to a stud or bolt thread. |
| Clutch | A device whose function is to permit the driver to engage/disengage a power coupling between the engine and the transmission or transaxle. |
| CO | Carbon monoxide. |
| Cockpit | The driver/passenger volume within a car in which driver control devices, gauges, and seating are provided. |
| Coil | The transformer component of an ignition system which converts each low voltage pulse into a pulse of sufficiently high voltage to bridge the gap in a spark plug and initiate combustion in the engine. |
| Coil-Over Shock | A tubular shock absorber which contains top and bottom mounting locations for a coaxial coil spring, and is used with such a spring supporting the weight of the car. |
| Cold Air Box | An engine carburetor attachment of unspecified size and composition, whose purpose is to provide a source of ambient air alternate to that existing in the engine compartment. |
| Component | A constituent part of an assembly. |
| Compression Ratio | Reciprocating engines: the ratio of the sum of swept plus unswept volumes to the unswept volume. Rotary engines: the ratio of the largest to the smallest volume of the working chamber. |
| Compression Ring | A reciprocating engine component which is intended to seal the gap between the piston and cylinder wall against the pressure differential arising from compression, induction or combustion. |
| Compressor (AC) | The engine-driven pressurizing pump in an automotive air conditioning system. |
| Concentric | Two components or objects are concentric if they share a common centerline. |
| Condenser (AC) | The portion of an automotive air conditioning system in which the refrigerant in vapor phase is converted to liquid phase. |
| Connecting Rod | A component physically connecting a piston to a crankshaft in such a way as to convert the rotary motion of the crankshaft to a reciprocating motion of the piston. |
| Constant-Velocity Joint | A type of universal joint in which the angular velocities of input and output shafts are held approximately equal. |
| Cool Suit | A driver's safety suit which has provision to be cooled by a circulating liquid. |
| Cooling System | Those components directly associated with the cooling of an engine, including any hoses, fans, radiators, etc. |
| Cowl Induction | An arrangement in which the incoming air for an induction system is ducted from the cowl area below the windshield. |
| Crank-Triggered Ignition | An ignition system in which the triggering pulses are obtained from a pickup and wheel connected directly to the crankshaft, or to an intermediate pulley. |
| Crankshaft | The rotating engine component which, driven by pistoniconnectingj rod assemblies, transmits, for external coupling, the torque resulting from~ the combustion process. |
| Crosaflow Head | A cylinder head in which the intake and exhaust ports for each cylinder are on opposite sides of the head. |
| Crown | The top face of a piston at which combustion takes place. |
| Curvature | The dimension defined by the maximum distance between a curving surface and the straight line between its ends. |
| Cylinder Liner (Sleeve) | An insert in an engine block which defines the path followed by a piston in its reciprocating motion. |
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