Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Why do some engines sound so much better than others?
In this video, I build my own ignition coil bench tester and use it to recreate the firing patterns of different engines — from 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5-cylinder/rotor configurations all the way to the firing pattern of a V10.
By firing the ignition coils in precise sequences and recording the sound with a microphone, we can actually hear how the number of cylinders/rotors and their firing intervals change the character of an engine.
But there's more to it than just firing order.
I break down the science of engine harmonics, explain why a V10 produces a musical major 3rd, why a 6-cylinder produces a perfect 5th, and how the 5-rotor fits into this relationship. I also demonstrate how Fourier analysis can be used to break these complex engine sounds down into their fundamental frequency and harmonics.
This is essentially turning engine firing events into music — and using real ignition coils to prove the theory.
Engine: Mazzei Formula 5-Rotor
Ignition Coils: Haltech
Audio recorded from the actual ignition coil firing events
#MazzeiFormula #5Rotor #V10 #RotaryEngine #EngineSound #EngineHarmonics #FourierAnalysis #Rotary #Engineering #carscience
Why do some engines sound so much better than others?
In this video, I build my own ignition coil bench tester and use it to recreate the firing patterns of different engines — from 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5-cylinder/rotor configurations all the way to the firing pattern of a V10.
By firing the ignition coils in precise sequences and recording the sound with a microphone, we can actually hear how the number of cylinders/rotors and their firing intervals change the character of an engine.
But there's more to it than just firing order.
I break down the science of engine harmonics, explain why a V10 produces a musical major 3rd, why a 6-cylinder produces a perfect 5th, and how the 5-rotor fits into this relationship. I also demonstrate how Fourier analysis can be used to break these complex engine sounds down into their fundamental frequency and harmonics.
This is essentially turning engine firing events into music — and using real ignition coils to prove the theory.
Engine: Mazzei Formula 5-Rotor
Ignition Coils: Haltech
Audio recorded from the actual ignition coil firing events
#MazzeiFormula #5Rotor #V10 #RotaryEngine #EngineSound #EngineHarmonics #FourierAnalysis #Rotary #Engineering #carscience
