Squish/quench Boring?.....trying To Understand It All

[Beer Baron]

all correct Geetr. the squish zones don't really reduce power as such, they just have a propensity for causing detonation. any serious race engine (circuit/drag/whatever) has the squish zones removed on both sides of the head. this costs low end torque (and thus response) but means you can run more boost and more timing and thus gain lots more power with lots less detonation. cars that are destined for some street use, or are not aiming for massive power generally remove the squish zones on one side of the head only. it's not easy to do as to do it properly you need to have a very, very good idea of the shape you need once removed, and you need to CC the combustion chambers and adjust to get them all even again.

all the other stuff you mention I agree with too. about why #6 is the detonation cylinder of choice in inline 6 engines and the RB26 in particular.