Thanks for the great response. I usually find that people underestimate me because of only being 24 years old, but you guys are great! As for the diesel questions, typically the compression for a diesel racing motor is around 17:1. You will find that 90% of the diesel drag cars / trucks out there right now are stock block 5.9 cummins engines right out of a dodge diesel pickup. They have a great bottom end, and will handle lots and lots of boost. For the most part, they run stock crank, rods and pistons. They will o-ring the heads to allow for more boost, and clean up the ports to make them flow better. Overall there isnt much differnt about a diesel used for racing. All the power come from the fuel pump, injectors, and turbo's being used. It is pretty easy to make a 5.9 liter cummins dyno 700+ horsepower, and 1400+ torque to the rear wheels. That kind of # would be at around 100 psi of boost. Some of the pulling tractors out there now are well over 200 psi, and push up around 3000 horsepower. For the question on diesel compression vs. gas motor compression. A typical gasoline engine will not handle the extreme pressures exerted by such high ratios and boost pressures. This is where all the extra weight comes from in the diesels. You also cannot lean out a diesel like a gasoline engine due to the fact they have the fuel injected just before the top of the stroke, and there is no chance of pre ignition. I hope I did a good job explaining the diesel thing, it is actually 4am right now, and I am trying to stay awake on a mid shift, so it may be a little scattered. I have also attached a picture that shows a great example of the kind of forces a diesel goes through. For the nuclear questions, we will save the long explanations for another time..... Being at work it is too much physics and thermo for one night!!! But just for my own info, what does everyone here think about the nuke industry? Anyone hear about the new AP1000 design by Westinghouse? Oh, and one more question for Don..... Where did you teach thermo?