20th Annual AETC Online

Jeff Lyjak - Combustion Technical Specialist, Engine Performance Development, Ford Motor Company

After receiving his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Michigan, Jeff began his engineering career in 1980 with Chrysler Corporation in Advanced Engine Design. A few years later, 1988, Jeff moved from Chrysler to Ford Motor Company as a development engineer working on an all new 4 valve V8 engine, which would become the second engine in the 'Modular Engine Family'.

After the DOHC 4.6L 4V V8 was introduced in the 1993 Lincoln Mark VIII, Lyjak became the supervisor of the dynamometer development team for the 4.6L 2V and all new 5.4L V8 and 6.8L V10 engines. He and the team helped develop the new 'HO' 2V cylinder head and the long stroke, high deck V8 and V10 truck engines.

Once the Modular Engines had been introduced in everything from Mustangs to Super Duty trucks, Lyjak moved on to 4.6L 2V Engine Program Supervisor (EN/FN vehicle platforms), where the team began the development of the Performance Improved ('PI') 2V engines, which were first introduced in the 1999 Mustang GT and F series trucks.

In 1998, Jeff moved to Pre-Program Engineering, where the task was to develop further upgrades for the Modular Engines. This led to the current 3 valve SOHC engine with Dual Equal Variable Cam Timing, first introduced in the 2003 Australian Falcon and later in the Mustang GT and Ford Trucks.

Since 2001 Jeff has been an Engine Combustion Technical Specialist for V8 engines. He is currently developing future Premium V8 engines.

Lyjak lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan and enjoys working on his classic cars. His two sons are both off attending college.