Engine simulation software?

[tirwin]

Hey, all -

Maybe I should ask this question in the engine building forum but I'll start here.

I have been reading a really great book about EFI theory and it got me thinking. It would really be great to have a virtual engine to see how changing different variables yields different results. Sorta like a virtual lab where you don't have to worry about blowing a real motor.

Surely there is some software out there that can do at least very basic engine design simulations. Just wondering if anyone has ever seen or used something to model a boxer engine?

Just curious...

[TimT]

Dyno Sim

[jpnovak]

I have an old version of Desktop Dyno. The output numbers are not completely accurate.

What it is useful for is to change compression and cam parameters and see where shifts in torque occur in the rpm band. Useful for comparisons. Your own interpretation and background will be required to get anything useful out of it. This depends on how deep your knowledge pool is.

[Discseven]

Interesting stuff.

[tirwin]

Originally Posted by TimT

Dyno Sim

Looks promising. Have you ever used it? Just wondering if anyone has ever blazed the trail with simulating our engines. Also curious if it will allow you to do things like change the type of induction.

The videos suggest that it is pretty comprehensive but it also looks a bit expensive for my simple needs -- at least at this point.

[tirwin]

Originally Posted by jpnovak

I have an old version of Desktop Dyno. The output numbers are not completely accurate.

What it is useful for is to change compression and cam parameters and see where shifts in torque occur in the rpm band. Useful for comparisons. Your own interpretation and background will be required to get anything useful out of it. This depends on how deep your knowledge pool is.

Jaime, as long as it was not egregiously wrong in terms of theory I wouldn't care. I'm not looking to simulate an actual engine build so precision is not the goal.

And you hit right on one of the things I wanted to simulate -- how various cam differences affect the torque curve.

Do any of the water pumper Porsche motors incorporate some kind of variable cam timing?

[J0hnny]

GTPower and Wave are used to do some of this by OEMs.

A lot for gas exchange, but you can also play with fuel, timing, cam profile, timing, turbocharging etc, pretty much anything.

That said, it is not easy to use.

[LJ851]

Engine Analyzer

http://performancetrends.com/Engine%20Analyzer%20Programs%20Comparison%20Table. htm

For header design:

PipeMax v3.95