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Lakes

A dry lake used for high-speed performance trials.

Lakester

A hot rod with minimal frontal area and fully exposed wheels designed for lakes competition.

LAL

An acronym for lowest achievable level.

Lambda

1. The Greek letter L. 2. A term used by engineers to represent air/fuel ratio. 3. A European auto maker's term for the oxygen sensor.

Lambda Control

Using a lambda, sensor-controlled computer to adjust the air/fuel mixture.

Lambda Sensor

A European auto maker's term for the oxygen sensor.

Lambda Sond

The first closed-loop, fuel injected system to appear in production, developed jointly by Robert Bosch and SAAB.

LAMBSE

Short Term Fuel Trim.

Laminar Airflow

1. The smooth, continuous movement of one layer of gas or liquid over another. 2. The movement of a body of air/fuel mixture through the intake manifold and ports as it flows over the boundary layer.

Laminate

1. A structure consisting of two or more layers of material, such as fiberglass. 2. To fabricate a structure of two or more layers of material, such as fiberglass.

Laminated Case

A container, such as a safety fuel cell, with walls of two or more layers of material.

Laminated Construction

The Construction of the armiture from individual stampings.

Laminated Core

An assembly of steel sheets for use as an element of magnetic circuit having the property of reducing eddy-current losses.

Lamp

A device to convert electrical energy to radiant energy, which is normally visible light.

Land

1. That part of a piston between the ring grooves that separates and supports the rings. 2. The raised surfaces on a valve spool.

Land Speed Record (LSR)

The maximum speed obtained by 1. A wheel-driven, internal-combustion engine vehicle. 2. A thrust-driven jet or rocket engine vehicle.

Landau

A semi-convertible car with a folding top over the rear passenger compartment.

Landau Bar

Ornamental ogee or S-shaped trim sometimes applied to C-pillars or sail panels.

Landau Iron

A term used for landau bar.

Landau Top

A passenger-car top partially covered with vinyl to give it a convertible-like appearance.