Patent ID: 6951203

Claim:
A method for improving engine performance, comprising: in an engine assembly comprising an engine with at least one cylinder and a piston disposed within said cylinder, and an exhaust system, said cylinder being in communication with said exhaust system, manually activating ignition of said cylinder at a warming ignition position when a temperature of said exhaust system is lower than a target temperature of said exhaust system, wherein in said warming ignition position fuel and air propagate from said cylinder to said exhaust system while undergoing combustion, whereby said temperature of said exhaust system increases towards said target temperature; and manually activating ignition of said cylinder at an operating ignition position when said temperature of said exhaust system is at least equal to said target temperature, wherein a performance of said engine when said temperature of said exhaust system is at least equal to said target temperature is improved over a performance of said engine when said temperature of said exhaust system is less than said target temperature.