Using computer modeling to figure out engine combinations.
Comp Cams hooked me up with a copy of Desktop Dyno 5, a computer simulation program that seems to do it all. You have the option of picking a wide range of components, including different fuels, blowers or turbo, exhaust, induction, cylinder head airflow, valve sizes, and almost every other spec. The program retails for $99 and it is one of the most comprehensive programs I have seen. Here is a list of features that Comp brags about the program containing:
Build And Test Virtually Any 4-cycle engine
Instantly Switch Between US & Metric Units
Find The Best Parts For Street Or Racing Applications
Easy Component Selections, Just Point And Click
CamManager™ Shows Cam Lobe Acceleration
Iterator Testing™ Adds Incredible Power
Test Alternate Fuels And Nitrous-Oxide Injection
Test Air/Fuel Ratios, Combustion-Chamber Shapes
Auto-Scaling Power, Torque, Pressure Curves
Display And Print Components And Color Graphs
Test Carburetors/Injection, Stock & Racing Manifolds
View And Print Engine Pressures, Efficiencies
Model And Compare Multiple Engines
Built-In Calculators (Cam, Rocker, Compression, Induction Flow, AirFlow Conversion)
ProTools™ Add Even More Professional Features
<span class="itallicarial">Automatic Updates Over The Web!</span>
Tune These Key Engine Components:
Bores (2- to 7-inches) Strokes (1.5- to 7-inches)
Number Of Cylinders (1 to 12)
1000 Built-In Short-blocks! (or enter your own specs)
Models Environmental Conditions During Dyno Run
Intake And Exhaust Valve Sizes
1, 2, Or 3 Valves Per Port
Modify Valve Event Timing, Valve Lift
Rocker Math Analyzes Lash Changes
Lobe Acceleration Analysis And Modeling
Change Lobe Centerlines And Durations
Search 6000+ CamFiles In Seconds!
Intake/Exhaust Port Design And Modifications
Wedge, Canted, Hemi, And 4-Valve Heads
Combustion-Chamber Design
Improved Flow-Bench Data Modeling
Enter Flow Data To Model Any Cylinder head
Up To 7000cfm Peak Induction Flow
Any Carburetor (multiple or single) or Fuel Injection
Amazingly Accurate Turbo/Supercharger Modeling
Set Intercooler Efficiency With Any Forced Ind.
Intake Manifold And Exhaust System Modeling
Compression Ratio From 6:1 to18:1
Various Fuels, Including Gasoline, Methanol, More
Model Air/Fuel Ratios For Max Power or Max Mileage
Nitrous-Oxide With Gasoline And Methanol
The only problem I have with the system, Comp designed it for Windows-based applications on PC computers. I work with Apple computers, so now I am left begging my brother to borrow his PC laptop so I can play with Desktop Dyno 5. If you have worked with this program, please feel free to respond and share your experiences with it.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2"></font>