Dynomation UsersManual
Dynomation UsersManual
The text, photographs, drawings, and other artwork (hereafter referred to as information) contained in this publication
is provided without any warranty as to its usability or performance. Specific system configurations and the applicability
of described procedures both in software and in real-world conditions—and the qualifications of individual readers—are
beyond the control of the publisher, therefore the publisher disclaims all liability, either expressed or implied, for use of
the information in this publication. All risk for its use is entirely assumed by the purchaser/user. In no event shall Motion
Software, Inc., be liable for any indirect, special, or consequential damages, including but not limited to personal injury
or any other damages, arising out of the use or misuse of any information in this publication or out of the software that it
describes. This manual is an independent publication of Motion Software, Inc. All trademarks are the registered property
of the trademark holders.
The publisher (Motion Software, Inc.) reserves the right to revise this publication or change its content from time to time
without obligation to notify any persons of such revisions or changes.
Thank you for purchasing Dynomation6™ or DynoSim6™ for Windows from Motion
Software, Inc. This software is the result of many years of simulation development and
programming effort that includes program optimizations developed from over twenty
years of on-going user feedback. This simulation was built, from the ground up, to be
easy-to-use, yet it is fully capable of advanced engine-simulation analysis that can
reveal WHY the IC (Internal Combustion) engine functions as it does. You can view
pressure waves and mass flow that take place inside the intake and exhaust pas-
sages. You can easily change components
and measure their affect on these pressure
waves and on engine power. And you can
learn more about how engines work than you
ever thought possible. Not only that, we are
confident that you will find this simulation
to be an intuitive, easy-to-use program that
makes engine testing and analysis simple
and fun! By eliminating the frustration that
is common with many engineering-oriented
simulations (or the huge expense involved
in long dyno-test sessions), you are free to
“play,” using your imagination to uncover power secrets for single or multiple-cylinder,
four-stroke engines for automotive, racing, or a myriad of other applications.
Dynomation6 and DynoSim6 are Windows 7, 8 and 10, 32- and 64-bit, engine-
dynamometer simulations that utilize a full-cycle analysis, meaning that they calculate
the complete fluid-dynamic, thermodynamic, wave-dynamic, and frictional conditions
that exist inside each cylinder throughout the entire 720 degrees of the four-cycle
process.
Many other simulation programs simply calculate the volumetric efficiency (VE)
and then derive an estimate of torque and horsepower. There are many shortcom-
ings to this and similar techniques. The two greatest drawbacks are: 1) since cylinder
pressure is not precisely determined, it is impossible to predict the pressure on the
If you have used earlier versions of our simulations, you will find version-6 pack-
ages offer a significant upgrade. During the development cycle for these products,
many aspects of the program were improved, including cam-timing and lift-curve
modeling with the use of all-new Fitter routines, enhanced user interface functional-
ity, new graph and table results displays, more accurate forced-induction modeling
with improved Compressor Map and Engine Demand Line displays, plus substantial
improvements in exhaust-system modeling, both in DynoSim6 and Dynomation6.
Here's a short list of some of the new features and changes in version6 simulations:
The display and analysis of pressure waves in the intake and exhaust ports also
has been improved. Click on the power/torque graph to select any rpm point; you will
instantly see the status of pressure waves and mass flow for that engine speed for
both the WA and FE simulations. Drag the reticule line on the power/torque graph;
the pressures and flow dynamics will be instantly updated as you scan through the
rpm range. This capability provides an unprecedented view of pressure and particle
flow within a “running” engine for both WA and FE simulations.
Enhancements were added to Iterative Testing™, an exclusive feature of Motion
Software simulations. Iterative Testing allows you to automatically perform thousands
of dyno tests, keep track of all the results, and locate the best component combina-
tion that matches your search criterion. In addition to cam timing, intake manifolds,
bore, and stroke, you can now Iterate intake runner lengths, and minimum and entry
areas in the intake ports (for the WA simulation only).
Version6 also offers many additional improvements. Diesel modeling is now sup-
ported with compression ratios as high as 30.0:1. Latent Heat of Vaporization modelling
has been enhanced to better simulate intake-charge temperatures, particularly with
supercharges and racing fuels, like methanol. Manifold runner wall temperature can
be modeled to directly support "air-gap" manifolds and other unique manifold/runner
ambient conditions. Cam Dynamic Stability Indicators have been included to alert the
user if the current cam timing values generates stability issues. Additional indicators
in Dynomation6 located in the Induction and Exhaust categories show calculation
issues in intake or exhaust pressure-wave analysis.
But most important is what hasn't changed: our top-tier tech support. The Motion
Software, Inc., development staff will be available to help you if you run into issues
that you can't solve on your own. We are very interested in helping you succeed with
Version6 simulations. Let us know how we can help!
Program Requirements
Windows 7, 8 and 10: This software is fully compatible with Windows 7, 8 and 10
(either 32- or 64-bit versions). Make sure to install all the latest service packs and
updates (use the Microsoft Windows Update feature available in the Start Menu, All
Programs Menu, or visit www.microsoft.com to locate or activate automatic updates
for your operating system; this is an automatic feature in Windows 10.
Windows 2000/XP/Vista: Our testing shows that Version6 simulations will usually
operate properly on WindowsXP, Windows 2000, and Windows Vista. Make sure to
install all the latest service packs and updates (use the Microsoft Windows Update
feature available in the Start Menu, All Programs Menu, or visit www.microsoft.com
to locate updates and service packs for your operating system).
Note-1: Windows95 is not supported.
Note-2: We recommend that you run this simulation on a Windows 7, 8 or 10 ma-
chine. These operating-system versions are the most sophisticated and reliable.
Mouse: A mouse (trackball, or other cursor control device) is required to use this
software. While many component selections can be performed with the keyboard,
several operations within this simulation require the use of a mouse.
• Make sure all other applications are closed before you begin this installation.
The best way to do that is to restart your system, then begin this installation be-
fore you start any other programs. If other programs are using system resources
during Dynomation installation, your computer may appear to “lock-up” when in
fact, another application (“hiding” in the background) has taken focus away from
the Dynomation installer.
• Make sure that you have sufficient memory to install/run this simulation (re-
view system requirements in the previous chapter).
Note: You must have Administrator Rights to properly install Dynomation
under Windows 7, 8 and 10. Administrator Rights are also required to receive
automatic updates over the Internet.
4) After you select an Install, allow up to two minutes for the program installer to
read files from the CD and display an opening window. Click Next to view the
Motion Software License Agreement. Read the Agreement and if you agree with
the terms, click I Accept...., then click Next to continue the installation.
5) A Readme file is now displayed that includes information about installation and
program updates. After you have reviewed the Readme, click Next to proceed
with the installation.
6) Important Note: This software will be installed on its default path (on your boot
drive, C:\, in the root). This location is essential to ensure that future updates
install properly.
7) The installer Start Installation display gives you a chance to review the license
agreement or readme info. Press Install to begin installation.
8) When the basic installation is complete, a Setup Complete dialog will be displayed.
Click Finish to close the main installation window and start the installation of ad-
ditional helper-software:
a) Dynomation6 only: The latest Sentinel-HASP USB Security Key driver will install
next. This driver is required for Dynomation6 to communicate with the USB Se-
curity Key provided in your software package.
b) Next, a dialog box may appear and ask for permission to install Microsoft
DirectX on your system (DirectX is required for 3D animations within the soft-
ware). If you have the same or a newer version of DirectX already installed, the
installer will detect its presence and will not overwrite newer files.
Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719—19
Installing & Starting Version6 Simulations
c) After the DirectX installation, program installation is complete.
POST-INSTALLATION SETUP
Dynomation6 Only:
Installing The USB Security Key
9) Plug the USB Security Key (the small USB device supplied with Dynomation6)
into any available USB port on your computer. This key is licensed to you, the
purchaser of this software, and will allow you to run Dynomation6 on any of your
computer systems. You are licensed to install Dynomation6 on as many comput-
ers as you wish, however, Dynomation6 will only run on one system at a time;
the computer with the Security Key installed.
Note: If you do not have an available USB port (your computer must have at
least one free USB port to run Dynomation6), you can install a USB Card or Hub
to extend the number of available USB ports. The Dynomation6 Security Key
functions properly with most external USB Hubs.
Dynomation6 Only:
Solving USB Security Key Issues
If Dynomation6 displays an error message that the Security Key (or HASP) is
missing, here are some quick steps you can follow to isolate and correct this prob-
lem:
a) Restart Windows after you install Dynomation6 to make sure the USB Key driv-
ers are loaded and running.
b) Make sure the Security Key is, in fact, properly connected to a functioning USB
port on your computer or has been plugged in a USB hub that is connected to
your computer. If you plugged the Key into a hub (rather than into a USB port
on the computer), try connecting it directly to a port on your computer system.
Note: The Security Key contains a small red LED that illuminates when it is
properly connected and communicating with its software drivers.
c) Disconnect all other USB devices from your system, then reconnect the
Dynomation6 Security Key (try a different port if possible).
d) Try reinstalling the Security Key drivers by reinstalling Dynomation6 from the
program CD (you do not need to un-install first), or install the latest driver posted
on our Support page (www.motionsoftware.com/support.htm).
f) As a “last resort,” try installing the simulation (and the Security Key) on a second
computer system to determine if your original computer is at fault.
Installing A 10-Point
CamDisk Library (Any Simulation Version)
10) CamDisks are additional libraries of 10-Point camfiles (much more information
on 10-Point camfiles is provided later in this User Guide). If you wish to install a
10-point library (from a separate install CD or it can be included on the program
installation CD), click the Install option on the Program Installation Menu.
Note-1: CamDisk camfiles can only be installed after the simulation has been
successfully installed on your system.
Note-2: 10-Point camfiles are NOT the same as Lobe-Profile files; refer to the
Camshaft Category later in this User Guide for more information on the differ-
ences between 10-Point valve timing and lobe-profile specifications.
11) Motion Software offers libraries of cam-lobe profiles that allow version6 simula-
tions to model exact valve motion and predict engine power with the highest
accuracy. Lobe-Profile files consist of data that “maps” the entire shape of the
lobe, not simply the valve opening, closing, and maximum lift points used in
10-Point Camfiles. If you wish to install a Lobe-Profile library, click on the Install
option on the Program Installation Menu that will appear on your desktop after
you insert the Profile CD into your CDROM drive.
Note: Profile Libraries can only be installed after a version6 simulation has been
successfully installed on your system.
12) To start the simulation, double-click the Dynomation6 or DynoSim6 program icon
that was installed on your Desktop. Alternatively, you can open the Windows
START menu, select All Programs or Apps, then choose Motion-Dynomation6
Engine Sim, or Motion-DynoSim6 Engine Sim and click on the software icon
displayed in that folder.
Dynomation6 Only: If Dynomation6 displays an error message indicating that
the Security Key (HASP) is missing or cannot be found, refer to the information
on the previous page (Solving USB Security Key Issues).
13) When you first start the simulation, a Registration dialog will be displayed. Please
fill in the requested information, including your Serial Number found on the Quick-
Start Guide provided in your software package. Then press the Register Now!
button. If you have an Internet connection, your registration will be submitted
to Motion Software, Inc. If you do not have an Internet connection, you will be
presented with other registration options. If you do not register this simulation,
you may not qualify for tech support or free updates.
If you move or change your email address, you can update your registration
information at any time simply by selecting Registration from the HELP menu.
Keep up to date with the latest program advances by keeping your registration
information current.
Automatic
Program Updates
14) This simulation incorporates an automatic program updater that will keep your
software current with the latest simulation developments. Before you put the
simulation to work, make sure you allow the Motion Updater to check our servers
and install the latest program updates (requires Internet connection). The Motion
Updater will run automatically after program installation and then approximately
every 30 days thereafter. You can check for a new update at any time by se-
lecting Check For Newer Version... from the HELP menu within the simulation.
If an automatic update was not installed properly, you can manually download
the latest program update from our support page at: www.motionsoftware.com/
support.htm.
Important: Don’t assume you are running the latest software version if you just
installed the software from the installation CD. CD’s are NOT updated each time
new releases are issued. The ONLY way to make sure you are running the lat-
est version is to use the Check For Latest Version feature (in the HELP menu)
or to download the latest installer from our web site. If you cannot obtain/install
program updates using either of these means, contact technical support at: sup-
port@motionsoftware.com.
You can un-install this simulation by either: 1) Use the program removal fea-
ture in Windows (Start menu, select Control Panel, then choose Programs and
Features, or 2) Use the Uninstaller placed in the Program folder (Start menu,
select All Programs or Apps, then choose Motion-Dynomation6 Engine Sim
or Motion-DynoSim6 Engine Sim, and finally click on the UNInstall).
Important Note: You can obtain technical support and program updates by
visiting (www.MotionSoftware.com). Open the Start menu, select Programs or
(Apps), Motion-Dynomation6 Engine Sim or Motion-DynoSim6 Engine Sim,
then click on the Tech Support Website icon. Contact our Tech Support staff
by sending an email to support@motionsoftware.com.
Note-1: Tech support will only be provided to registered users. Please complete
the Registration Form that appears when you first start your software to qualify
for technical support from the Motion Software staff (or select Registration from
the HELP menu in the program).
Note-2: If you need to update your address or any other personal information,
simply select Registration from the Help menu, make any necessary address
changes, then press Register Now! to transmit your updated info.
The left side of the Main Program Screen includes component categories that
you can use to select simulation models and enter engine components, dimensions,
and specifications. The right side of the screen displays simulation results consisting
of graphs, charts and tables. The Main Program Screen is composed of the following
elements:
1) The Title Bar displays the program name followed by the name of the currently-
selected engine.
2) The Program Menu Bar contains pull-down menus that control overall program
3) The Tool Bar contains a series of icons that speed up the selection of various
program functions and features. The Tool Bar contains the following icons/func-
tions: 1) Create New Engine, 2) Open Saved Engine, 3) Save Current Engine, 4)
Open Quick Iterator, 5) Open Pro Iterator™, 6) Open Port Flow Dialog, 7) Open
Compression-Ratio Calculator, 8) Open Airflow-Conversion Calculator, 9) Open
Piston Animation, 10) Open Crank-Angle SimData™ Window, 11) Generate A
ProPrintout™ Of The Current Engine, 12) Display Program “About Box.”
Note: Each component category indicates its status by the color of the Category
Title Bar. The Title Bars have either a red tone, indicating that the category is
not complete (inhibiting a simulation run), or a dark-tone indicating that all com-
ponents in that category have been selected. When all component categories
indicate complete, a simulation can be performed (calculation will begin automati-
cally if the Auto Run feature is selected in the Simulation Menu).
6a & 6b) The Main Program Screen window is divided into two panes. The left
and right panes each provide a set of Screen Display Tabs at the bottom Use
these tabs to switch the left and right pane displays to tables, graphs, or other
simulation displays.
7) This software can simulate several engines at once (supports multiple open
documents). Switch between “active” engines (documents) by selecting any open
engine from the Engine Selection Tabs, located just above the Status Bar at
the bottom of the main program screen (engine selection can also be made from
the Windows Menu). The current engine is highlighted on the foreground Tab.
The name of the currently-selected engine is also displayed in the program Title
Bar.
8) All Component Category menus allow either direct numeric entry or menu-selec-
tion choices, and some accept both. During data entry, the range of acceptable
values and other helpful information will be displayed in a Range Limit Line
within the Status Bar at the bottom-left corner of the main program window.
10) The widths of all program panes are adjustable. Simply drag the Vertical or
Horizontal Screen Divider to re-size the Component-Selection and Graphics-
Display panes. Horizontal Dividers are located between the right-hand graphs.
By adjusting the position of these dividers, you can increase the display size of
the power-curve and pressure/flow displays for optimum resolution.
11) The Simulation Progress Indicator (appears in the Status Bar when a simula-
tion calculation is underway) shows the progress of calculations for the selected
simulation model. Each “step” of the progress bar indicates the completion of a
simulation at one rpm point.
12) The Crank-Angle SimData™ Window (see photo, next page) displays the exact
values of port pressures, flow rates, horsepower, and more at various rpm and
crank-angle points. Click on the rpm graph to set the rpm reticule line, then click
on any crank-angle graph to display a crankangle reticule (see 17, below). As
you drag the reticule left and right across the graph, exact data values under
the reticule intersection will be displayed in the SimData™ Window (open the
SimData Window from the Tools drop-down menu).
13) The Port Velocity lower graph displays port flow rates at various rpm and crank-
angle values (velocity is default display; can be customized with the right-click
menu). The displayed velocity values are calculated at the location of minimum
cross-sectional area in the port. Click the top horsepower/torque graph to display
a reticule line and establish the rpm for viewing flow and pressure data. Drag the
reticule left and right on the RPM graph to establish the port flow data (in the
lower graph) at each of the selected engine speeds. Click on the Port Velocity
(lower) graph to display a crank-angle reticule line; the exact data at the reticule
intersection are displayed in the SimData™ Window (see 12, above).
14) The Port Pressures are displayed in the middle graph (pressure is the default
display; can be customized with the right-click menu). The displayed pressures
are calculated at the location of minimum cross-sectional area in the port. Click
on the top RPM-based horsepower/torque graph to display a reticule line and
establish the rpm for viewing pressure and velocity data. Drag the reticule left and
right on the RPM graph to establish the port pressure data (in the center graph)
at each of the selected engine speeds. Click on the Port Pressures graph to
display a crank-angle reticule line; the exact values at the reticule intersection
are displayed in the SimData™ Window (see 12, above).
15) The various graphs display horsepower, torque, port pressures, flow rates,
30—Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719
Program Overview
Graph Options Box
valve lift, and more for the currently-selected engine. These graphic displays
can be customized to display additional data in many formats using the Graph
Options Box. To display the Options Box, right-click on any graph; reassign
the X, Y1 (left axis) and Y2 (right axis) curves to any of the data sets provided
in the submenu. Optimize functions quickly setup curves for best visual resolu-
tion. QuickCompare™ will setup sim "baselines" to help evaluate changes or
establish comparisons with other engine files (discussed in detail later in this
manual). Finally, use the Properties choice at the bottom of the menu to open
the Graph Properties box where you can assign custom axis values and setup
multiple engine-to-engine comparisons.
16) The Horsepower And Torque top graph displays engine output throughout the
simulation rpm range (HP and Torque are the default displays; the graphs can be
customized using the right-click menu). Click on the graph to display a reticule
line. The exact data at the reticule intersection can be viewed in the SimData™
Window (see 12, and photo on previous page). In addition, horsepower and
torque results (and much more) are displayed in the data tables; click the Table,
ProData, or Crank Data Screen Display Tabs near the bottom left and right of
the Main Program Screen (see 6a & 6b, earlier in this section).
17) Each of the four graphs (the fourth is located “under” the Component Categories;
to view this graph, click on a Graph Tab at the bottom of the left main-program
window) incorporate a Reticule Line that appears when you left-click on the
graph. You can “drag” the Reticule Line left and right across the graph between
the lowest and the highest test rpm (for the horsepower and torque graphs), or
between 0- and 720-degrees of crankshaft rotation (for the middle and lower
port pressure/velocity graphs). The exact values of the underlying data at the
Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719—31
Program Overview
The DirectClick™ Component Menus
allow you to select components and DirectClick™ Component Menus
specifications for each Component Cat-
egory item (Combustion-Chamber specs
are shown here). Click on any compo-
nent specification to open its menu.
The menu will close when a selection is
complete (or accept the current selec-
tion by clicking on the green ✔). If you
wish to close the menu before making a
new selection, click the red X next to the
drop-down box, click anywhere outside
the menu, or press the Escape key until
the menu closes.
reticule intersections is displayed are the SimData™ Window (see 12, earlier
in this section).
18) The Main Program Screen incorporates Windows Size Buttons. These buttons
provide standard maximizing, minimizing, and closing functions common to all
Windows applications. Refer to Windows documentation for more information on
the use of these buttons.
19) The Pop-Up DirectClick™ Component Menus allow the selection of compo-
nents and specifications within each of the Component Categories. Click on any
component specification to open its menu. The menu will close when a selection
is complete. If you wish to close the menu before making a new selection, click
the red X next to the drop-down box, click anywhere outside the menu box, or
Gray Background:
No numeric input
accepted.
Make selection from
drop-down menu.
Component menus fall into three categories: 1) Those that accept direct user
input (custom values), 2) those that only accept a selection from their attached
drop-down menu, and 3) those that accept input from either direct input or menu
selections. For example, the Number Of Cylinders menu in the ShortBlock cat-
egory will accept direct input (any integer value from 1 to 16), and you can also
select common cylinder combinations from the drop-down menu. When a menu
supports direct-data entry, the component-entry bounding box will have a white
interior (see photos). On the other hand, the Pressure Drop menu associated
with the Total Induction Flow Rate, will only accept one of the two selections from
its attached menu (1.5- or 3.0-inHg). The data entry box for these input fields
have a light-gray interior (rather than white).
Note-1: Almost all custom-input categories include an attached menu from
which common data inputs are also provided.
Note-2: Data entry into any component field is limited to values over which
this software can accurately predict power. The range limits are displayed
in the Range Limit Line within the Status Bar at the bottom-left of the
Main Program Screen. If you enter an invalid number, the simulation will
sound the Windows error tone and wait for new input.
Cursor Arrow Keys Move Reticule Lines—You can move the reticule lines on
any of the graphs in small increments by using the Cursor Arrow keys. First, click
on a graph to “select” it, then use the Right-Arrow key to the move the reticule
line to the right; use the Left-Arrow key to move it to the left. If you hold the
SHIFT key, the increment of movement on the crank-angle graphs increases to
10-degrees.
Opening Menu-Bar Menus—Press and hold the Alt key, then press the F
key to highlight and open the File menu (in the Menu-Bar at the top of the
program screen). Use the cursor-arrow keys to move through menu selec-
tions; press the Right-Arrow key to open submenus and the Left-Arrow key
to close submenus. With any menu open, you can also use the right-and-left
arrow keys to activate other menu-bar menus—e.g., Edit, View, Simulation,
etc. When you have highlighted the menu selection you wish, press Enter
to accept the selection. Press ESC (the escape key) repeatedly to close the
Moving Through Component Fields—After you have selected any field within
a component category, you can press the TAB key to move the highlight from
field to field within that category. Tab key-presses will not open fields for data
entry, but rather will move the focus highlight from field to field. Tabbing always
keeps field selection within the current category.
Note: The Shift Tab key combination will move the highlight box backwards to
the previous component field.
White: Most engine component field names (not the component values) are
displayed in white. This indicates that their associated data fields are required
for a simulation to be performed.
Light Blue (Cyan): Engine component values displayed in light blue can
be entered into the program and/or modified. For example, the value of Total
Induction Airflow in the Induction Category is Cyan and can be changed to any
value within the limits of the simulation.
Light Gray: These “display only” values have been automatically calculated
by program and cannot be directly modified. For example, the Average Taper
Angle value in the Induction Category is a display-only value that is determined
by the minimum and maximum port areas (values that you can enter in the pro-
gram).
Note: The basic color functionality described here applies to the Dynomation6
default color scheme. While other color schemes may use some of these colors,
not every color scheme uses the same default colors for data inputs. However,
the differences in display colors within each color scheme will always reflect the
same functionality described here.
Note: Engine power values and other simulation results shown in this tutorial
may vary as the software is updated and/or new features are incorporated over
time. The results shown here reflect the current version of the simulation at the
time this chapter was last updated (the software version at publication is shown
next to the page numbers, at the bottom of the page).
1) If necessary, start the simulation program and select New from the File menu.
Component categories on the left side of the program screen begin empty, indi-
cated by a string of asterisks ( **** ) next to each incomplete data field.
2) Data fields in the Component Categories accept your inputs within a “bounding
box” that appears after you click on a data field value. Click on the ▼ symbol
inside the bounding box to open a drop-down menu.
3) Begin the engine build by moving your mouse into the Simulation category and
left-clicking the Filling-And-Emptying-Wave-Assisted radio button, activating the FE
simulation method (this is not necessary for DynoSim6 users, as the FE method
is selected by default). Next, select the Advanced mode (if not already shown in
the FE Integration menu) which provides a good balance between speed and
accuracy in simulation calculations. Finally, choose the RPM Range values for
the simulation as shown here:
5) Now move to the Shortblock category (see photo, next page). Click on the as-
terisks in the Short Block field (the asterisks indicate that no selection has yet
been made). Review the menu choices and select American. When the submenu
opens, select Chevy, 8 Cylinder SB, and finally click the left mouse button on
350 V8.
Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719—37
Five-Minute, Engine-Buildup Tutorial
Navigating The Short Block Menu
Shortblock Category Choice:
• Short Block: Choose the Chevy
350 V8 shortblock.
• Engine Friction: Select the
Dynomation6 Default engine
model.
8) Continue moving down through the component categories and make the following
selections:
Click the Table Tab at the bottom of the graph pane (see photo on previous page) to
switch to a table view of exact power values and other simulation results.
entry.
Simulation Results: At this point, all the Category Title Bars should be dark-
tone, and the simulation will display power and torque curves (in the RPM graph
located at the top-right of the main program screen). The engine produces about
220-hp at 4000- to 4500rpm; typical of 1960's era, V8 street engines with mufflers
and restrictive exhaust systems.
Problems?: If the simulation did not run, first check the Category Title
Bars. Have they all switched to dark-tone. Next, make sure that Auto
Run is checked in the Simulation Menu (located at the top of the screen).
Finally, check each data-entry field to confirm that the correct values
were entered.
Helpful Engine Files: Engine files that duplicate the status of this engine
at several points in the tutorial are included with your simulation and
can be found in the default engine files directory C\:Dynomation6\Engine
Files\EngineFiles (.DXML Dynomation-6) or C\:DynoSim6\Engine Files\
EngineFiles (.DXML DynoSim-6). For example, the file FiveMinuteTuto-
rial_Step8.dxml should be identical to your engine at this point in the
tutorial (providing the software versions are identical). You can always
load one of the tutorial engine files to check your component selections
and simulation results.
9) Now let's make a few component changes, but before we do, it's helpful to es-
tablish baseline curves on the graph so that we can easily compare changes in
power and torque. Called QuickCompare™, activate this function by right-clicking
anywhere in the Power/Torque graph, then from the pop-up Options Menu, select
QuickCompare™. Finally, select Make From Current Test.
10) Now, change the cam to the next choice from the Cam Type menu: A High-
Performance Street grind:
The new cam creates more power; the engine now produces about 250-hp
at 5000-rpm. But there has been a significant sacrifice in torque below 3500-rpm.
Click on the Power/Torque graph to activate a reticule line that marks the rpm
point at which data is obtained for the center and lower graph displays of intake
and exhaust pressure waves and flow velocities. Drag the reticule line back and
forth across the rpm graph. The changing pressure and velocity curves were
recorded at each rpm point during the simulation.
Notice that exhaust pressure
(the red curve on the center, crank- Side-by-Side Results Comparison
angle graph) is averaging well over
2.0-bar (that's greater than 15-psi
backpressure in the exhaust system
at 5000/6000-rpm). To get a better
feel for the capabilities of this engine,
let's see how it responds to a more
free-flowing exhaust system. Install a
set of small-tube headers with open
collectors (a typical dyno setup):
Note: The engine configuration at this point in the tutorial was saved as FiveMinu-
teTutorial_Step11.dxml.
12) To determine if this engine has more airflow potential with the current cam tim-
ing and cylinder heads, let’s improve the induction system by testing a tuned
intake manifold. Since this is still a street engine, we’ll select a manifold suit-
able for this application.
This Dual-Plane manifold is designed to boost torque within the rpm range of a
typical street engine. The power now stands at about 300 at 5000rpm, and we
also see an accompanying boost in torque across the rpm range.
13) Let’s try a couple additional improvements. This time we’ll install high-perfor-
mance OEM-type cylinder heads that provide improved flow (primarily from
pocket porting techniques, performance valves, seats, etc.).
Notice that the additional port flow generated virtually no negative affects on
torque (thanks, in part, to the Dual-Plane manifold), however, the horsepower
jumped to about 400hp at 5500-rpm. Improved induction flow also boosted
pressure-wave strength in the exhaust system and this further assisted cylin-
der filling.
You can fine tune when these pressure pulses return to the cylinders by
42—Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719
Five-Minute, Engine-Buildup Tutorial
Side-by-Side Results For Step 13
change exhaust tubing lengths. Try increasing the tuning speed from 5000rpm
to higher speeds (to shorten pipe lengths). Note that as power rises, the en-
gine torque curve is slightly reduced (engine tuning is almost always a give-
and-take process).
We are still simulating open headers. Let’s see how much power we can ex-
pect if mufflers are installed after the headers.
Based on the exhaust pressure estimates within the simulation, the power
dropped about 35 hp. The engine still produces about 365hp (with an exhaust
tuning speed of 6000rpm); reasonable for this inexpensive basic street-rod
buildup. The setup at this point was saved as FiveMinuteTutorial_Step13.
dxml.
Now we’ll look into some of the capabilities of the Wave-Action simulation to delve
deeper into the power potential of this engine. Switch to the Wave-Action Model
in the Simulation Category. Switch the WA model and setup a new comparison.
15) You may have noticed that the Title Bars of the Induction and Exhaust Com-
ponent categories have now switched from a dark-tone to red, indicating that
the Wave-Action model lacks sufficient data in these categories to complete the
simulation. Fill in the missing component data with the following values:
16) The Wave-Action power and torque curves are similar to the FE at peak values,
but the torque curve has a slightly different shape. This is due to the more ex-
tensive pressure-wave modeling used in the wave-action sim.
Note: These results would not have matched while the FE if the exhaust system
was not switched back to the open-header model, since the WA does not model
the backpressure created by mufflers or catalytic converters.
17) Now we’ll dig a little deeper into pressure waves in the intake runners by testing
the effects of Intake Port Areas. The Minimum Port Area is the smallest cross-
section in the intake port, and is typically located just after the valve seat, near
the valve guide. Currently we are using a value of 1.25-in2 for this restriction. Try
changing this value to 2.0-in2.
You will see the power curve change shape with the larger minimum intake area
of 2.0-in2. Now decrease the area in 0.1-in2 steps until you locate a size that
produces optimum power (you can switch to the table display to view the exact
power values; click Table in the Selection Tabs at the bottom of the graphs).
You should find that optimum power occurs at about 1.60-in2. The power
should be about 388-hp at 6000-rpm (back to nearly the same power values we
obtained with the FE model in step 13). Notice how the power drops on either
side of the optimum Min Port Area. This indicates that a port that is either too
small or too large for the current port flow and cam timing can reduce engine
power.
18) Let's modify the Port Entry Area from its current value of 3.0-in2. This area is
the maximum port cross-sectional area, located where the port begins inside the
intake manifold plenum or where it opens to the atmosphere with individual-runner
(or injector) stacks.
As the Port Entry Area decreases (lower numerical values), the port taper
angle also decreases, tuning the runner/manifold to a lower rpm. A reduced taper
angle (port expands less from valve to manifold) tends to boost peak torque and
reduce peak power. Larger Port Entry Areas typically tune the engine for higher
rpm, boosting horsepower at the expense of mid-range torque.
Did you locate a port area that produces a good compromise between torque and
horsepower? An area of about 3.0-in2 produces a taper angle of about 3.0-de-
grees. Values between 3.0- to 5.0-degrees often provide a good performance
compromise (the optimum taper angles primarily will depend on the desired rpm
range of the engine, cam timing, and cylinderhead flow).
Overview: Cylinder heads with intake ports that are too big or too small do not
allow the engine to reach peak performance. In a few minutes of testing, you
have discovered this fact and explored optimum port shapes that can, otherwise,
take weeks of work and thousands of dollars to discover!
19) Next, let’s explore how Runner Length further tunes the engine power band.
Increase the runner length from 10.5-inches to 18-inches and, then, shorten it
to 6-inches. Watch the power and torque shift up and down the rpm range.
20) There is a lot more we could explore in intake tuning (such as valve sizes, port
flow, modifications to valve timing, and more), but for this introductory tutorial,
let’s have another look at the exhaust system. Currently, header primary plumb-
ing is constructed from 32-inch long, 1.5-inch diameter tubing and the collectors
are 10-inches long and 3.5-inches in diameter.
First try increasing the Primary Inlet Diameter and Exit Diameter to 2-inches.
The slight boost in peak power (primarily from a reduction in exhaust restric-
tion), comes at the expense of torque below 5000rpm. Torque is lower due to
reduced exhaust scavenging from lower wave pressures within the tubing. The
weakened returning negative pressure wave provides less assistance to exhaust
flow just before EVC. This increases cylinder pressure near EVC, and higher
cylinder pressure presents an increased restriction to intake flow.
21) Seems like that was one small step forward and one step backward! How can
we regain low-end torque while maintaining higher-rpm power output? The secret
lies in harnessing the same phenomenon that is responsible the loss: Exhaust
Pressure Waves. By installing an exhaust system that returns stronger negative
pressure pulses, we can reduce cylinder pressure, and regain lost intake flow.
Let's try installing a header configuration with a reputation for helping low
rpm torque and higher rpm horsepower at the same time:
The Tri-Y design of multiple, size-step pipes and collectors sends a se-
ries of scavenging pulses back to cylinders that reduce cylinder pressures
and improve intake flow. Because of this, we were able to use a transition
to a larger secondary pipe (that reduces exhaust restriction), while maintain
cylinder scavenging at lower engine speeds. The result: a small bump in hp
and nearly the same torque we achieved with the original 1.5-inch headers.
Note: The effects of Tri-Y headers (and other headers with “complex” designs)
are more noticable at higher engine speeds, when using racing camshafts, larger
valves, and better flowing cylinder heads.
22) We have only just scratched the surface of engine development using this simu-
lation. There are literally thousands of additional possibilities you can explore in
Dynomation6. The information presented in this User Manual, starting with the
next Chapter on Component Menus, will help you get the most from your software
investment.
23) Before this tutorial ends, generate a ProPrint™ report for this simulation: Select
ProPrint Preview from the FILE menu. This will generate a comprehensive
ProPrint™ report and load it into your default Internet browser. Use the scroll
bar or page down keys in your browser to move through the report.
You can also send the document to your printer by selecting Print from your
browser's File menu. Additional information about ProPrinting™ is provided later
in this manual.
22) Finally, Motion Software, Inc., version 6 software developers would like to thank
you for following along with this tutorial. Any comments are welcome; contact us
a support@motionsoftware.com.
valve motion, and much more, providing unprecedented accuracy for detailed engine
analysis.
Dynomation6 seamlessly integrates these two simulation technologies. Simply select
the model you wish to use with the “radio-buttons” in of the Simulation Category.
Immediately all component categories will be verified for completeness (based on
the selected simulation model), and if all required components and specifications
have been entered and are within program limits, the red-tone component-category
Title Bars will switch to dark-tone, indicating that the simulation will be performed
and the results will be displayed in the graphs and the tables.
Generally, if you need to quickly determine how an engine will respond to cam
timing changes, specific intake manifolds, open-headers vs. mufflers, or you don't
have access to all the required intake and exhaust port dimensions for the WA
model, the Filling-And-Emptying simulation provides a quick and remarkably ac-
curate way to build up and test an engine. However, if you are “digging into” the
details of mass flow, port shapes and lengths, and exhaust tubing dimensions, the
Wave-Action model will analyze the several additional inputs requied to complete
this more complex simulation.
The Filling-And-Emptying
model pre-calcualtes port
dimensions before the simula-
tion process begins. In some
cases, it may predict higher
power than the WA model
since it starts off with near-
optimum port/runner specs.
These calcualted dimensions
are shown in the simulation
Log in Dynomation (they are
not available in DynoSim6).
Both simulation models display port pressures and velocities throughout the
720-degrees of crankshaft rotation during the 4-stroke process. This data is dis-
played in graphs and tables and can help you make decisions about engine tuning
(engine tuning is discussed in-depth later in this manual, especially in the Wave
Dynamics Analysis chapter). However, keep in mind that pressure/velocity data
calculated by the Wave-Action simulation is derived through a much more rigorous
WA Note: In cases where you would like to run a quick test or evaluate a
restrictive (muffler) exhaust system, run an FE Simulation. The simulation will
show exhaust back pressure and other releated info in the center and lower
pressure-wave graphs. The calculated port and runner dimensions used in the
simulation can be viewed in the Simulation Log.
FE and WA Simulations:
“Cycles” And Convergence
The Wave-Action simulation calculates gas-dynamics by dividing the intake and exhaust
passages into small volumes, called meshes. Smaller mesh sizes can improve simu-
lation accuracy, but at the expense of calculation times. The Normal mesh is usually
sufficient to accurately analyze gas dynamics and provide good simulation accuracy.
Wave-Action Only:
Simulation “Meshing”
Note: The WA Fine mode takes about three times longer than Normal to com-
plete the simulation. And the Optimized selection directs the sim to not only
use the smallest mesh size, but also to use the most detailed calculations for
engine physics. For Optimized, processing times can be considerably longer.
FE and WA Simulations:
RPM Ranges And Atmospheric Standards
The Simulation Category also includes fields that specify the rpm range for the
simulation (actual Start & Finish RPM points for mathematical analysis). The nar-
rower the range, the faster the simulation is performed, since fewer mathematical
operations are required.
Note: If you are using a supercharging system and it's developing errors at higher
engine speeds (like overspeed or choke), you can reduce the upper rpm limit to
help prevent these errors. In addition, if you are running an Iterative Test (see
the Quick and Pro Iterator chapters later in this User Guide), keeping the RPM
range as narrow as possible will substantially reduce testing time.
You can also set ambient atmospheric conditions (or Standards) for the simula-
tion by selecting one of the built-in models available from the Atmospheric Standard
menu. You can apply SAE, ISO, and other world standards commonly used for
dynamometer testing. The default used in Dynomation6 and DynoSim6 is different
from Dynomation5/DynoSim5, and is based on the SAE J1394 v3 standard widely
used in modern dyno-test facilities. The available Standards selections are:
In addition to the available standards, you may enter any Altitude, Air Tem-
perature, Barometer, and Humidity value you wish. The changes in environmental
variables are applied to the simulation through a “correction factor.” This value is
normally calculated by Dynomation after you make a menu selection or enter spe-
cific atmospheric values. However, you can click Manual Entry and directly enter
any dyno correction factor you wish.
The Short Block component menu contains over 500 bore and stroke combinations of
popular domestic and import engines that you can instantly use in any engine simula-
tion. In addition, you can directly enter a custom description of any engine into the
Short Block component field.
Note: The Short Block menu can be considered a “handy” list of common engine
bores, strokes, rod-length and offset values. When you select a shortblock, you
are not selecting any “hidden” characteristics, like material composition (alumi-
num vs. cast iron) or other component assumptions (such as typical cylinder
head type). The Short Block menu only loads the Bore, Stroke, Rod Ratio,
Pin Offset, and the Number Of Cylinders into the simulation.
Note: Piston-Pin Offset is set to 0.000-inch for all engines loaded from Short-
Block menu.
Frictional losses from the motion of internal and external engine components are
well understood and can be accurately simulated and predicted. However, the nearly
endless variety of choices available to the engine designer/builder for machining
and surface-finish techniques, metal alloys, clearances, lubricants, friction-reducing
coatings, use of roller assemblies (like roller lifters, roller rocker-arm pivots and tips),
oil types and temperatures of lubricants, piston materials, ring selections, and even
oil seal types can interact and combine to modify frictional losses from predicted
values. To allow Dynomation6 to accommodate a wide range of engine designs,
you can alter the frictional models used by the simulation to better suit individual
applications.
The Engine Friction menu is located in the Shortblock component category
(not offered in DynoSim6). The menu includes the following choices that alter the
frictional characteristics of the simulation in relation to the baseline “default” models
used in Dynomation6:
The frictional losses of the Internal Combustion engine fall into specific categories
that are more or less consistent across a wide range of engine designs. Within
four-stroke engines, the friction attributable to the Piston assembly, the Crankshaft,
the Connecting Rods, and the Valvetrain fall within the following ranges:
Frictional losses are created from several distinct physical processes that are
commonly labeled: Solid Contact, Boundary, Mixed, and Hydrodynamic. Without in-
troducing too much detail (which can be readily found on the Internet), the frictional
losses in crankshaft, camshaft, and rod bearings principally fall into the hydrodynamic
category. Under these conditions, metal surfaces do not touch and are held apart
by a film of lubricant. The main frictional losses in this regime are due to viscous
motion of the lubricant within bearing clearances. This characteristic changes with
temperature and oil viscosity, and remarkably does not reach a minimum with the
lowest oil viscosity, since very low viscosity can allow metal-to-metal contact on
highly loaded surfaces. In general, a 30 to 40 weight oil, warmed to operating
temperatures, produces the best horsepower on high-output racing engines.
On the other hand, ring, piston, (and to some degree) lifter-lobe contact surfaces
spend time in Boundary and Mixed lubrication regimes. Here, the greatest friction
reduction comes from component surface prep (with the goal to maintain the thick-
est lubricant film between sliding surfaces), the selection of optimum materials, and
designing in component rigidity to maintain uniform clearances between sliding
surfaces.
The Cylinder Head Type (Description) menu contains a wide range of head/port choices.
The main menu is divided into two groups: Domestic Cylinder Heads model typical
4-cylinder through V8 passenger car engines. The Sport-Compact Cylinder Heads selec-
tions primarily model newer, multiple-valve-per-port head designs.
A selection from the Cylinder Head menu is the first part of the process that
The additional data point needed to characterize overall engine airflow is the
Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719—61
Cylinder-Head Category
Typical Low-Performance Cylinder Heads
The Low Performance
cylinder head choices
are intended to model
cylinder heads that
have restrictive ports,
valves, and combus-
tion chambers. Heads
of this type were often
designed for low-speed,
economy applications,
with little concern for
high-speed perfor-
mance.
Total Induction Airflow Rate (also located in the Induction Category). This can
be considered the rated flow of the carburetor or throttle plates/valves measured at
a specific pressure drop. This establishes an overall flow-rate restriction for entire
engine.
When this essential data has been entered, the program is a step closer to deter-
mining mass flow within the ports. Unfortunately, the flow in the ports of a running
engine is vastly different than the steady-state flow measured on a flow bench.
A running engine will generate rapidly and widely varying pressures that directly
affect—in fact, they directly cause—the flow of air and exhaust gasses within the
engine. To determine the instantaneous flow in all ports at any point during engine
operation, the simulation must calculate all internal port and cylinder pressures at
closely-spaced, small increments of time throughout the four-cycle process. Overall
mass flow into and out of the cylinders is found from the sum of these instantaneous
pressures, calculated gas densities, and flow restrictions throughout the runners.
After a series of integration operations using this data, engine output and related
“dyno” results can be determined. (Not magic, but close!)
Here is some basic information that will help you determine the appropriate
cylinder-head selections (and port flow data) from the built-in menu selections for
domestic engine applications.
Note: Each of the generic choices in the Cylinder Head menu has flowbench
data associated with it. To view this test data simply select the cylinder head
from the menu then click the Port Flow button.
type casting that has good flow for racing applications. It does not incorporate
“exotic” alterations, like raised and/or welded ports requiring custom-fabricated
intake manifolds.
Domestic—2-Valve, Wedge/ProStock Porting And Mods
The last choice in the wedge group is designed to model high-flow, professional
drag-racing cylinder heads. These heads are designed for one thing: Maximum
power. They usually require hand-fabricated intake manifolds, have high valve
discharge coefficients, and the ports have the largest cross-sectional areas in
the smallblock group. This head develops sufficient airflow speeds for good
cylinder filling only at high engine rpm.
The following Hemi/Canted-Valve selections are modeled after heads with valve
stems tilted toward the inlet or discharge surfaces of the cylinder heads. This de-
sign reduces restriction at the valve, improves CD, and is particularly beneficial at
higher engine speeds.
The next two selections best model extensively modified rectangular-port heads.
These choices are primarily, all-out, bigblock heads, however, they also model
The next three selections in the Domestic Cylinder Head submenu model 4-valve
cylinder heads. These are very interesting choices since they simulate the effects
of very low-restriction ports and valves used in many current high-performance
applications. The individual ports in 4-valve heads begin as single, large openings,
then divide into two Siamesed ports, each having a small (relatively) valve at the
combustion chamber interface. Since there are two intake and two exhaust valves
per cylinder, the valve flow area exposed as the valves lift off the seats (called
Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719—65
Cylinder Head Category
Two-Valves-Per-Port Cylinder Head
The first three selections in the Sport-Compact Cylinder Head Type submenu
model the low-restriction ports and valves used in modern, 4-valve cylinder-heads;
the basic mainstay of the Sport-Compact enthusiast. The individual ports in 4-valve
heads begin as single, relatively large openings, then neck down to two Siamesed
ports, each having a small (relatively) valve at the combustion chamber interface.
Since there are two intake and two exhaust valves per cylinder, valve curtain area
(area exposed around an open valve through which air/fuel can pass) is consider-
The Sport-Compact
Sport-Compact Cylinder-Head Menu Selections Cylinder Head selec-
tions are divided into
two groups. The most
common is the 4-Valve
type with some version
of a pentroof combus-
tion chamber. The sec-
ond group are 2-Valve
heads, having good
flow characteristics,
but considerably lower
power potential than
the 4-Valve designs.
ably larger than the largest single-valve-per-port designs. In fact, 4-valve heads
can offer more than 1.5 times the curtain area of the largest 2-valve heads. This
large flow area, combined with the high-flow, low-restriction ports greatly improves
air and fuel flow into the cylinders at low valve lifts and high engine speeds. How-
ever, the ports offer an equally low restriction to reverse flow (reversion) that can
occur at low engine speeds when the piston moves up the cylinder from BDC to
Intake Valve Closing (IVC). For this reason, 4-valve heads, even when fitted with
more conservative ports and valves, can be a poor choice for small-displacement,
low-speed engines, unless camshaft timing and valve lift is carefully designed to
complement the flow capabilities of these cylinder heads.
The first choice in the 4-valve group simulates a 4-valve cylinder head that
would be “standard equipment” on factory high-performance, sport-compact engines.
Although excellent for street performance, since they have relatively small ports,
reasonably high port velocities, and good low-lift flow characteristics, with proper
cam timing they often show a boost in low-speed power over comparable 2-valve
heads (and at higher engine speeds, they will outperform all but the most highly
modified 2-valve heads).
Sport-Compact Simulation Tip: If you would like to know what “hidden” power
is possible using any particular engine combination, try this cylinder head
choice. It is safe to say that the only way to find more power, with everything
else being equal, would be to add forced induction, nitrous-oxide injection, or
use exotic fuels.
The next five choices in the Sport-Compact/Import Cylinder Head menu model
pentroof-chamber, “canted-valve” heads with one valve per port, each tilted or
canted toward the port inlet/discharge surface. This positioning improves discharge
coefficients and overall airflow. All ports in this menu group have cross-sectional
areas sized for performance.
The simulation will accept flowbench data from a variety of sources. Basic flow-test
data can be directly entered into the Port Flow dialog using any valve size, at any
You can enter flowbench data from a variety of sources. Open the Port-Flow Dialog by
clicking the Port Flow button in the Cylinder Head component category. Basic flow-test
data can be directly entered using any valve size at any pressure drop.
70—Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719
Cylinder Head Category
Port-Flow Dialog Data Import
pressure drop. In addition, you can load version 5 and 6 airflow files (.DFW files).
You can also Import FlowPro files containing individual-port-flow data obtained from
flow-bench testing using Audie Technology FlowPro software. Open the Port Flow
dialog by clicking the Port Flow button in the Cylinder Head component category
or clicking the Port AirFlow icon in the Toolbar.
To manually enter custom flowbench data, first select a suitable name for the flow
data and enter it in the Description field. This description will also be displayed
in the Cylinder Head category Description field. Next, select the number of data
points in your flowbench test data using the Data Points field (a minimum of 4
points are required; click the up icon to increase, down to decrease). Also, enter
the Test Valve Diameters (valve sizes used on the flow bench), and the Pressure
Drop (in inches, or mm, of H20) used during testing. Enter the number of Valves
Per Port for individual intake and exhaust ports. Finally, enter Flow and Valve-Lift
You can save flow data in a separate file (.DFW) by pressing the Save As button.
However, even without doing this, head flow data entered in the Port Flow Dialog
will be saved with engine data within the current .DXML engine file. It’s easy to
recall previously saved flow data (a .DFW file), you can also Open flow-data files
The last selection in the Valve Diameter
Auto Calculate Valve Sizes Menus is Auto Calculate Valve Sizes
(active only when a “generic” cylinder
head has been selected from the Cylin-
der Head Description menu). This feature
determines nominal intake and exhaust
valve diameters. Auto Calculate Valve
Sizes will always select valves of an ap-
propriate diameter for the cylinder heads
under test and ensure that valve sizes
(including in multiple valves-per-port
applications) are never too large for the
current bore diameter. Note: This selec-
tion is dimmed whenever custom airflow
values have been entered in the Port
Flow Dialog.
The intake and exhaust Test Diameters are entered in the Port-Flow Dialog.
These are the diameters of the valves used in the cylinder head during flow-bench
testing. Normally, these are the same diameters as the valves used in the simulated
engine (the Running Diameters), but Dynomation allows you to enter a different
Running Diameter to test the effects of installing larger (or even smaller) intake
or exhaust valves without retesting the cylinder heads (flow data is “scaled” up
or down with the valve diameters). The accuracy of the simulation is best if both
Test and Running diameters are the same, but small differences between these
diameters (no more than 5% of the Test valve size) will be modeled accurately by
the simulation. The results will be as if the larger/smaller valves were installed in
the cylinder heads, the heads were retested, and the new flow data was used in
Dynomation.
The Running Valve Diameter menus are located in the Cylinder Head category.
This selection is the diameter of the valves that you wish to use in the simulated
engine. As stated previously, the accuracy of the simulation is best if Test Diameters
(entered in the Port-Flow dialog and used during flow-bench testing) are the same
Selecting a specific valve size will
disable the Auto Calculate Valve Size Entering Running Valve Sizes
feature. Select from the provided siz-
es (displayed in both Metric and US
measurements), or you can directly
enter any valve dimension within the
range limits of the simulation (range
limits are shown in the Status and
Range Limit Line, at the bottom of
the main program screen).
The last selection in each menu is Auto Calculate Valve Sizes. This feature
is functional only when a “generic” cylinder head was selected from the Cylinder
Head Description menu. Auto Calculate instructs the simulation to determine the
nominal intake and exhaust valve diameters for use with the current engine based
on an assessment of the bore diameter and cylinder-head selection. When the
Auto Calculate function is activated, Auto will be displayed next to the calculated
sizes, and it will remain active on the current engine until turned off (by choosing
Auto Calculate a second time or by selecting a new diameter for either the intake
or exhaust valve).
Auto Calculate will always select valves of an appropriate diameter for the
engine under test (including multiple valves-per-port applications) and ensure that
valve sizes are never too large for the current bore diameter.
Note-1: Auto Calculation of valve size will only function with the generic
cylinderhead choices provided in the Cylinder Head Type menu. If any
modification is made to these heads, or other Port Flow files are loaded, The
simulation assumes that the sizes of the valves are known by the user and
Auto Calculation is turned off.
Note-2: Auto Calculation is turned OFF by default when the simulation is
started and whenever Clear Components is chosen from the Edit menu.
Note-3: While Auto Calculate Valve Sizes can be helpful during quick back-
to-back testing, it probably will not “guess” the precise valve sizes typically
used by the engine/cylinder-head manufacturer.
To simulate engines with unique cylinder heads or that have other unique modeling
complexities, in particular, high-speed large-displacement engines, we have added two
new methods of determining Curtain Areas and CD Values. These alternate algorithms
may be most appropriate where high-energy pulsed flow may affect engine output. See
text for more details.
valves move off their seats may have also affect overall mass flow. And because
most engines respond dramatically to changes in low-lift flow, alternate methods
of calculating the “exposed areas” of partially-open valves have been developed.
The flow areas, also known as the Curtain Areas, are the entire open area through
which mass can move through each valve at every point in the lift curve. However,
analysis has shown that changing flow geometries as the valve moves through low-
lift into higher lift regimes can alter the effective Curtain Areas. Since the Curtain
Area is compared to the calculated flow within in a straight pipe of equal area (to
determine the CD or Coefficient of Discharge), using precise Curtain Area values
is fundamental in determining accurate flow rates within an engine simulation.
To address these modeling complexities, we have added two additional math-
ematical algorithms in Dynomation6 that determine Curtain Areas and CD values
using alternate methodologies. An explanation of each of these methods follows.
Finally, this section concludes with additional tips and suggestions that can help
you model unique powerplants that don't seem to fit the “mold."
2-Step Gordon Blair Method: This algorithm was developed by the well-known
engine expert Dr. Gordon P. Blair in the mid to late 1990’s. It is based on two
separate methods to determine flow areas depending on valve lift (the switch
between methods is based primarily on valve dimensions). The overall effect
is to decrease calculated flow areas (more on this later) and increase CD
values within low-lift values and, to a lessor extent, increase flow throughout
the entire lift range. You’ll likely see an increase in power at mid to high rpm,
with some loss in torque at lower speeds on high-output engines.
3-Step Trenity Simpson Method: This algorithm was developed within a PhD
thesis by Dr. Trenity Simpson at Iowa State University. It is based on a three-
step method to isolate and individually analyze three flow regimes that occur
during low- to mid-lift regions of valve lift. The overall effect is very similar to
Blair’s method, but with slightly more boost in CD values. This method often
produces an increase in high-speed power and slight losses in torque at low
engine speeds, although with lessor effect in low-performance engines.
Note: If you are using DynoSim6 (or the FE model in Dynomation6), the simu-
lation model cannot determine if alternate CD calculation methods would be
helpful. This is not an arbitrary limitation, but is a basic restriction of the faster
Final Note: The alternate valve curtain-area algorithms discussed in this section
effectively INCREASE the CDs of intake and exhaust valves. This may seem
counter intuitive, since Blair's and Trenity's methods actually calculate SMALLER
effective flow areas at low- to mid-lift heights. Since the measured airflow rate
remains the same (flowbench values aren‘t changed), the same flow through a
smaller calculated orifice size increases the CDs (which reflect improved flow
efficiency). This results in the flow through the calculated (smaller) curtain areas
increasing closer to the flow measured in a straight pipe of the same size (in
other words the ports become less restrictive). The bottom line is greater mass
flow into and out of the engine.
The Wave-Action
simulation used in
Simulation Run-Log Runner Recommendation
Dynomation6 checks
the values entered for
minimum port areas
against simulation-de-
termined “optimum”
values. When appro-
priate, a message in
the Simulation Log
will recommend test-
ing one of the Alter-
nate-CD Calculation
methods provided in
the Port-Flow Dialog.
The Baseline Induction models provided in the Intake Design menu apply either
no manifold algorithm or use the simplest model available for both the Filling-And-
Emptying and Wave-Action simulations. These baseline models leave simulation
results as “untouched” as possible by manifold influences, and this may improve the
accuracy of “back-to-back” cam-timing and exhaust-system tuning efforts. In addition,
consider using the Baseline Induction models if you are unsure of which specific
manifold model to apply. The Baseline Common Plenum or Baseline Individual-
Runner choices provide an excellent starting point on which to build further engine
testing and development.
Domestic
Common-Plenum Manifolds
The basic differences between single- and dual-plane manifolds are clearly illustrated
here. The dual-plane (left) divides the plenum in half, with the runners grouped by firing
order. Each cylinder “sees” only one-half of the carburetor, transferring a strong signal
to the venturis. This manifold design is said to have a 2nd degree of freedom, allowing
it to reach a unique resonance that makes its short runners act as if they were longer
and boosts low-speed power. The single-plane manifold (right) has short, nearly equal-
length runners with a large open plenum, much like a tunnel ram laid flat across the
top of the engine. The manifold has excellent high-speed performance, but its design
prevents full-manifold resonance. That reduces low-speed torque, which can impair
driveability and fuel economy.
A single-plane manifold is
simply a low-profile tunnel Single-Plane Manifold
ram. The design combines
short, nearly equal-length
runners with an open ple-
num, but “lays” the entire
configuration flat across
the top of the engine.
The single-plane manifold
combines improved flow
capacity, higher charge
density, and short runners
to build substantial horse-
power at higher engine
speeds.
these tunnel rams derive from their combination of a large common plenum
and short, straight, large-volume runners. The large plenum can accommodate
one or two carburetors, potentially flowing up to 2200cfm or more. The large
plenum also minimizes pressure-wave interaction and fuel distribution issues
(especially with dual carburetors or fuel-injection throttle bodies). The short
runners can be kept cooler than their lay-flat, single- and dual-plane counter-
parts, and they offer a straight path into the ports, optimizing ram-tuning and
minimizing flow restriction.
Tunnel-ram applications are limited because of their large physical size;
vehicles using tunnel-ram manifolds usually require a hole in the hood and/or
a hood scoop to provide manifold and carburetor clearance. While a protruding
induction system may be a “sexy” addition to a street rod, in single-carburetor
configurations, the tunnel ram offers very little potential power over a well-
designed, single-plane manifold. Only at very high engine speeds, with multiple
carburetors, will the advantages in the tunnel ram contribute substantially to
power.
The Standard and Max-Flow Tunnel Ram manifold selections have the
potential to produce the highest peak horsepower of all naturally-aspirated
induction systems listed in the Manifold Type menu. The large cross-sectional
areas, straight runners, and short tuned lengths make this manifold a “no
compromise” racing design.
duce non-uniform fuel distribution, prevent cylinder filling, and adversely affect
driveability. On the other hand, when an induction system has been carefully
designed to harness pressure-wave dynamics, the engine can benefit from
improved airflow and cylinder filling at the desired engine speeds. Using this
technology, manifolds can produce “designer” power and torque curves to op-
timize overall engine performance within specific rpm ranges and within fuel
economy and emissions requirements.
The fully composite manifold developed by GM for their “new” smallblock
engine is a good example of this design. It is biased toward producing power
at higher rpms, while maintaining good torque throughout the rpm range. In-
stalled in many performance vehicles, like the Z06, 405hp Corvette, the new
composite design allows high power while maintaining good driveability and
low emissions. This manifold can be modeled in the simulation by selecting
the LS1/LS6 Composite Stock from the Domestic selections provided in the
Manifold Type menu. Despite the fact that this manifold packs its runners in a
small package designed to fit under the low-profile hoods of modern vehicles,
generous flow capacities produces good peak power.
Aftermarket companies have taken this concept a bit further to provide
Sport-Compact
Common-Plenum Manifolds
the first selection in this group, and it models a manifold ideal for engines in
heaver vehicles, like trucks and vans. The low-rpm tuning boosts efficiency,
economy, and driveability in stock engines. However, while the runners are
somewhat long, they are not overly restrictive and stock engines using this
manifold will produce good power.
The next selections (downwards in the menu within this 3rd group) is the
OEM, High-Perf., and Max Flow versions of equal-runner length runner mani-
folds.
The Equal-Length, Cast Long Runner, OEM, Small Plenum version has
slightly shorter runners are capable of producing more horsepower, but torque
below 3500rpm can suffer somewhat. This is still excellent manifolds for heavier
performance vehicles.
The Equal-Length, Cast Medium Length Runner, HP Design, Medium
Size Plenum manifold is the first manifold in this group to offer a bias toward
performance and higher engine speed. Manifolds of this type are commonly
found on 4, V6, V8, and V12 engines in performance sedans and sports cars.
The most performance oriented manifold, the Tuned, Short-Runner, Max-
Flow, Large Plenum is an excellent choice on lightweight, performance ve-
hicles. The tuned runners offer good pressure-wave tuning, while low restriction
and large plenum volume give excellent horsepower potential. This manifold
design is used on many performance-oriented sports cars, like Aston Martin,
Maseratti, and Ferrari. The only manifolds that are superior in performance
to this selection are the “Honda Type” listed in the next group that have the
largest runner and plenum volumes. However, even “Honda” manifolds may
not provide as broad a range of torque and power as the manifolds in this
group.
Sport-Compact—Honda Type (Four Versions: Standard And Short Runner,
Large Plenum, Long And Short Runners (Honda-Type, Flat Tunnel Ram)
The Honda-Type manifold selections (referred to as Flat Tunnel Rams) in the simulation
model Honda induction systems used on 4-cylinder, high-performance engines, like the
B16, B18, S2000 and others. This manifold model can be applied to any engine that uses
direct, high-volume runners and a large plenum. The stock-length runner designs (like
the Edelbrock Performer X, shown on the left) generate a characteristic broad and flat
torque curve, and its large runners and plenum volume will supply all but the largest
engines with adequate airflow to well beyond 7500rpm. Manifolds with shorter runners
will often lower torque below 4000- 5000-rpm and offer slight-to-significant power gains
above 7000- to 8000rpm.
The Honda-Type, Standard Or Short Runner, Large Volume manifolds simulate induc-
tions that have increased cross-sectional area runners combined with large plenum vol-
umes. These manifolds will usually reduce low-speed torque below 5000rpm. However
expect substantial gains on modified, high-speed engines, especially above 8000rpm.
Notice the tapered runners on the manifold on the right.
Individual Runner, No Plenum (Large And Small Diameter, Long And Short
Stacks)
For naturally-aspirated, professional racing applications, individual- (or isolated)
runner (I.R.) induction systems, with separate tubes containing their own throttle
plates for each cylinder, can offer the ultimate in power potential at high engine
speeds. The single element that sets the I.R. system apart from any other induc-
tion models is that each “barrel” or individual “stack” does not share flow with other
stacks through interconnecting passages (like a plenum). This characteristic means
that the overall induction flow is divided between all barrels (or cylinders).
All of the manifolds in the Manifold Type submenus that we have discussed
up to this point have shared-flow between cylinders, typically through a plenum.
The Small Diameter, Longer Stacks model produces a power curve similar
to the Flat Tunnel Ram, Standard Runner, Factory Volume manifold discussed
in the previous section. However, the improved flow potential over the factory
manifold at higher engine speeds offers improved power that will peak at a
slightly higher rpm.
The Small Diameter, Short Stacks is the shorter-runner version of the
previous I.R. selection. It produces a power curve similar to the Honda Type,
Short Runner, Factory Volume manifold discussed earlier. The improved flow
potential at higher engine speeds offers improved power that will peak at a
slightly higher rpm. Expect this I.R. induction to produce good power levels
beyond 8000rpm on a properly modified race engine.
The Large Diameter, Long Stacks selection produces a horsepower curve
similar to the Flat Tunnel Ram, Standard Runner, Large Volume manifold. The
improved flow potential at higher engine speeds offers improved power that
will peak at a higher rpm. Expect this I.R. induction to produce good power
I.R. systems offer the lowest potential restriction of any induction system. The bell-
mouth entrance can help tune the horsepower peak to the desired rpm range. Careful
selection of stack size, length, bellmouth size, and flow rate are essential to building
a winning I.R. induction. All of these elements can be tuned and optimized, including
elliptical bellmouth runners.
The Average Runner Temperature menu sets the temperature of the intake
manifold and/or the runner passages leading from the plenum/atmosphere to the
junction at the cylinder head. The default selections are 180-degrees(F) for plenum
inductions and 120-degrees(F) for individual runner systems.
This temperature setting models manifolds or runners that are cooler (or hotter)
than the overall engine temperature (e.g., “air-gap” and other raised-runner designs).
Keep in mind that average runner wall temperature only indirectly changes air/fuel
charge temperatures. At lower engine speeds, slower runner flow interacts with the
walls for a longer time, increasing the exchange of heat. At higher engine speeds,
this interaction time decreases, reducing the effects of wall temperature on charge
density.
Note: When you select an intake manifold from the Intake Design menu, the
Average Runner Temperature will automatically revert to the default values.
Make sure to review (and change, if necessary) runner wall temperatures after
selecting an induction system (manifold or IR).
The Total Induction Airflow Rate menus establish the rated airflow for the
induction system and the pressure drop at which it’s measured. The consists of
2-barrel-carburetor and 4-barrel-carburetor/fuel-injection choices. In addition, you
can directly specify any rated airflow from 100 to 7000cfm.
Note-1: The flow ratings for 2-barrel carburetors are measured at a pressure
drop twice as high (3.0-in/HG) as the pressure used to rate 4-barrel carbure-
tors and most fuel-injection systems (1.5-in/HG). The higher pressure drop
The Total Induction AirFlow menu selections “install” 2-bbl carburetors from
300- to 600cfm or 4/8-Bbl Carb Or Inj. systems from 300- to 7000cfm. The 4/8-BBL
label indicates that the induction system can consist of single or multiple carburetors
(or fuel injection throttles.) that combine to produce of the rated airflow. An induc-
tion system equipped with twin 1100cfm carburetors would have a rated airflow of
2200cfm. If an air cleaner is used, total airflow (at the same pressure drop) should
be adjusted to compensate for the increase in restriction at the atmospheric bound-
ary.
Note: The simulation makes no assumption about the type of restriction used
in the induction system (any throttle configuration, any runner shapes or inter-
connections, etc.). The airflow rating is simply a means to model the greatest
overall restriction of the entire induction system. As higher airflow levels are
selected, the simulation lowers the restriction within the induction system.
Wave-Action Only
Intake-Runner Specifications
The power of the Wave-Action simulation lies in its ability to predict and analyze
the interaction of pressure waves and their influence on mass flow in the engine.
By design, this simulation is sensitive to runner lengths, passage taper angles and
volumes. The Induction category includes a group of data-input fields specifically
for the Wave-Action simulation. These fields are Runner Length, Port Entry Area,
Minimum Port Area, and Plenum Volume, plus a checkbox to activate an Ellipti-
cal Bellmouth model applied to the runner atmospheric boundary.
The following sections provide an overview of each of these Wave-Action intake-
runner data-entry fields:
This is the distance from the point of minimum cross-sectional area to the location
in the port where the area substantially increases. In a common-plenum manifold,
like a single-plane or tunnel-ram, this point is usually located at the plenum junction.
In the case of an individual-runner system, this transition occurs at the bellmouth
of the velocity stack.
This is the area at the entrance to the port runner (in in2 or mm2, depending
on the Units currently selected). This value is the starting point for the port, and
is used, along with the Minimum Port Area, to determine the included Port Taper
Angle, a critical dimension analyzed in the Wave-Action simulation.
This is the area at the point of greatest restriction in the port and is also the point
at which runner length is measured. It is usually located just above the valve seat
near the valve guide, however, it may also occur at other locations within the port.
The Minimum Port Area is a very critical engine dimension; carefully measure and/
or calculate this value to optimize simulation accuracy in Dynomation6. If you in-
accurately measure this value, horsepower predictions and your tuning efforts will
also be inaccurate.
As you test various engine configurations using the Wave-Action model, you will
find that Minimum Port Area has a "resonant" value at the point of optimum power.
For any particular engine, areas larger or smaller than this will produce less power.
If your cylinder heads provide optimum port areas and Taper Angles, your engine
can produce peak power.
When the Minimum Port Area is tuned to an optimum size, it generates a "sweet
spot" between restriction that produces high port velocities, allowing pressure waves
to impart sufficient energy to the intake charge and "ram tune" the cylinders, ver-
sus an oversize area that, although offering less restriction, depletes the strength
of pressure-waves and consequently diminishes cylinder filling. Rapidly pinpointing
the Minimum Port Area that produces peak performance is a terrific strength of the
wave-action simulation.
Determining optimum Minimum Port Area is entirely dependent on engine dis-
placement, cam timing, port flow, valve sizes, engine speed range, and many other
variables that make this job extremely difficult without using a mathematical simula-
tion. Dynomation6 analyzes all of these variables in every Wave-Action run. After
just a few simulations, you can easily home-in on an optimum Minimum Port Area
for any engine application!
Important-1: This may seem obvious (but it's easy to forget), the Port Entry Area
and Minimum Port Area are areas, not diameters of the ports/runners.
Important-2: The Minimum Port Area can range from below 50% of the area of
the intake valve, to as large a 75-to-80% or larger of the valve area in racing
cylinder heads.
Important-3: The Minimum Port Area is a dimension in in2 or mm2 (depending
on the current Units selection) within the port of Each Valve of multiple-valve-
per-port cylinder heads. Do Not Add minimum port areas together when you
enter a Minimum Port Area for 2- or 3-valves-per-port applications.
The Plenum Volume models the volume (in3 or mm3) not the shape, of a plenum
used in Common-Plenum induction systems. You can directly enter the volume of
the plenum, or enter the approximate physical dimensions and Dynomation6 will
calculate the volume. The minimum plenum volume is dependent on the Port Entry
Intake runner Minimum
Intake Port Taper Angle Port Area and Taper Angle
are critical dimensions in
the induction system. If in-
Port Entry
correct values are entered,
Area
power predictions will also
be incorrect.
NOTE: The Minimum
le Port Area value used in
o r t ng Dynomation6 is the area
P A Per Port. If you are mod-
r
a pe eling multiple-valve-per-
T port cylinder heads (2
Minimum
Area or 3 valves per port), do
not add these port areas
together to determine Mini-
mum Port Area!
An Elliptical Bellmouth
may be added to the Elliptical Bellmouth Specifications
end of intake runners
using the Wave-Action Pipe Begin Diameter =
simulation. Here are 2.13 x Tube Diameter
the typical dimensional
relationships modeled
by the sim. An El- Elliptical Profile Stack
liptical profile typi-
cally outperforms a Same Height
simple radius or airfoil As Tube Diameter
shapes.
Tube Diameter
Forced-Induction Specifications
Applies To Both the FE and WA Simulations
ers to which they apply, and how they affect forced-induction performance:
the center of the turbine wheel (see photo). As the A/R Ratio is increased,
the overall size of the turbine housing and its internal passage become larger.
Unlike Turbine Size that has a dramatic affect on turbine speed, the Turbine
A/R Ratio fine-tunes turbine speed. Changing A/R has many effects. By using
a larger A/R Ratio, the turbo produces less boost at lower engine speeds but
develops more boost at a higher engine speeds, primarily due to the reduction
in exhaust backpressure in larger turbine housings. Lower engine backpressure
improves engine volumetric efficiency (VE), and that can result in an power
increase throughout the usable rpm range. So, finding the optimum values for
both the A/R Ratio and Turbine Size are important steps in building the most
efficient and responsive turbocharger system.
Number Of Turbos—(Turbos only) This selection divides the exhaust flow and in-
Surge: (Turbo Only) This condition occurs when mismatched components cause
unstable airflow through the compressor. If a turbo is operated consistently within
surge, additional loads can damage the turbines, shafts, and bearings. If surge
is detected during a simulation run, the Surge indicator will display either yellow
or red. A yellow Surge indicator means that the turbo has entered surge only a
limited time during the full engine rpm range. This limited-surge operation is not
considered unusual and is not normally associated with shortened turbocharger
life. If the indicator turns red, the turbo has entered into surge often during the
engine “dyno test.” The turbocharger, Turbine Size, or A/R ratio should be changed
to eliminate this condition.
Choke: (Centrifugals, Turbos) While Choke can apply to both the Compressor
and Turbine impellers (in turbocharger applications), Choke most often refers to
the point at which compressor wheel tips reach sonic velocity, preventing further
flow. The choke line on a compressor map can be recognized by the steeply
descending speed lines at the right side of the map. If choke is detected at any
point during the engine rpm range, the Choke Indicator will turn from green to
yellow, indicating a condition that should be corrected. However, choke problems
are relatively easy to correct, often disappearing with a slight reduction in shaft
speed (use a larger Turbo or Turbine Size, and/or increase the A/R ratio).
If the maximum-boost rpm point occurs considerably late in the rpm range, the
boost pressure may never reach the Boost Limit, or if the Choke indicator is il-
luminated, installing a larger compressor may solve the restriction problem. On the
other hand, if the boost pressure curve begins too early in the rpm range, or the
Surge or Overspeed indicators are red, installing a larger turbine wheel or increas-
ing the A/R ratio may solve the problem.
To find the optimum centrifugal supercharger for your engine, first select a cen-
trifugal supercharger from the menu. For help in making an initial selection, consult
with the manufacturer’s website or visit the numerous performance sites that offer
kits and performance modifications. You will often find supercharger recommenda-
tions and suggestions for belt ratios. After you have selected the basic blower, set
If the maximum-boost rpm point occurs considerably late in the rpm range, or
if the boost pressure never reaches the Boost Limit, increasing the Belt Ratio or
installing a larger supercharger may solve the problem. On the other hand, if the
pressure curve rises early in the rpm range, or the Surge or Overspeed indicators
are lit, try decreasing the Belt Ratio or installing a smaller supercharger.
To find the optimum Roots/Screw supercharger for your engine, first select a
supercharger from the menu. For help in making an initial selection, consult with
the manufacturer’s website or visit the numerous performance sites that offer kits
and performance modifications. You will often find supercharger recommendations
and suggestions for belt ratios. After you have selected the basic blower, set the
Boost Limit to the desired level. Remember that the Boost Limit is simply the
blowoff-valve pressure; the maximum pressure limit for the induction system. The
Boost Limit is not the “guaranteed” pressure the blower will generate; improper
sizing or belt ratios, even altitude will lower maximum blower pressures. Next se-
lect the Belt Ratio recommended by the manufacturer (many Roots blowers use
Belt Ratios of 1.0- to 1.5:1, while Screw superchargers use approximately 1.5- to
2.0:1). Finally, you’ll need to analyze how much airflow the blower is delivering to
the engine by viewing the manifold pressure curve (right-click the rpm-based graph
on the top-right of the main program screen and assign Boost Pressure to either
the Y1 or Y2 axis).
Inspect the manifold pressure curve for the rpm point at which the pressure
rises to the desired level. For optimum efficiency, make sure that the roots or
screw supercharger you have selected does not quite reach wastegate pressure
(Boost Limit) within the usable rpm range of the engine (if it does, you may need
to select a smaller blower or reduce the Belt Ratio). However, manifold pressure
should reach a sufficient level to provide the desired performance improvement.
Note: The simulation can display either Boost Pressure and/or Ambient Pres-
sure. If the graph pressure curve is an absolute pressure plot, remember to
If the desired boost pressure occurs considerably late in the rpm range or the
desired pressure is never reached, try a larger supercharger or increase the Belt
Ratio. On the other hand, if the pressure curve rises too quickly, or the Boost Limit
pressure is reached within the usable rpm range of the engine, decrease the Belt
Ratio or install a smaller supercharger.
Note: The Overspeed indicator works with all superchargers (all turbos and
other compressors that have published max-rpm data). Surge and Choke
indicators are not active when Roots or Screw superchargers are used.
Intercoolers
charge. An efficiency of 100% removes all extra heat (brings charge temperature
down to ambient). An efficiency of over 100% (reduces charge temperatures below
ambient) is possible with water or ice. Everything from outside air to ice water and
even evaporating pressurized liquefied gas (like Freon or nitrous oxide) have been
used to remove heat from an intercooler. The ballpark efficiencies for these devices
are:
The simulation includes an intercooler model that can be activated with any
forced induction system. Simply double-click on the Intercooler field and select an
intercooler efficiency from the drop-down list (or directly enter a custom value).
Every intercooler will produce a pressure drop generated by its restriction and
the increased charge density within the intercooler. This pressure drop is usually
small—in the range of 1 to 3 psi. You can adjust the Intercooler Pressure Drop by
selecting a value from the IC Pressure Drop menu, or let the simulation automati-
cally calculate an estimated pressure drop value based on the selected Intercooler.
Note-1: The IC Pressure Drop occurs after the Intercooler, so the Boost Limit
may need to be increased to obtain the desired boost pressure at intake valve.
Note-2: When methanol evaporates, it cools the intake charge more than gaso-
line (the latent heat of vaporization of methanol is much greater than gasoline
and the volume of methanol used is also greater). Therefore, intercooling is
less effective when methanol is used (especially if it is injected well before
the intake valve in the intake runners, allowing the fuel to fully atomize and
drop in temperature).
The Camshaft component category lets you select and modify one of the single
most important components of the engine. For many enthusiasts and even profes-
sional engine builders, the subtleties of cam timing defy explanation. And, consid-
ering the various “standards” of measurement and pervasive advertising hype, the
reason for the confusion is understandable.
The camshaft is often called the “brains” of the engine, directing the beginning
and ending of all four engine cycles. Even with a good understanding of engine
systems, the interrelatedness of the dynamic processes within the IC engine can
make the results of cam timing changes read like a mystery. In many cases there
are only two ways to determine the outcome of a modification: 1) run a real dyno
test, or 2) run a simulation of the flow dynamics of the engine. Since the camshaft
directly affects several functions at once, e.g., the flow of the exhaust and intake
gases, the reverse (or reversion) flow in intake and exhaust passages, cylinder
Aec
Acceleration
ning
Acce g
Ramp
Cam Basics
Most camshafts are steel or iron shafts with eccentric lobes. They are mechani-
cally driven by the crankshaft, typically by a chain or gear train and are usually
rotated at one-half crank speed. Lifters (or cam followers)—and for in-block cam
locations, pushrods, and rockerarms—translate the rotary motion of the cam into
an up-and-down motion that opens and closes the intake and exhaust valves. This
entire assembly must function with high precision and high reliability. Street engines
driven hundreds-of-thousands of miles operate their valvetrain components multiple
billions of cycles. And after all that use, if the overall camshaft and valvetrain em-
body a solid design, a precision measurement will detect only negligible wear!
The camshaft controls valve opening and closing points by the shape and rota-
tional “index” of the lobes (position relative to each other and the crankshaft). Most
cams are ground to a precision well within one crankshaft degree, ensuring that
valves actuate exactly when intended. However, timing variations of several degrees
The best way to visualize camshaft timing in a running engine is to picture this “twin-
hump” Valve-Motion diagram (drawn “on the fly” in the CamManager™). You can see
valve motion for the exhaust lobe on the left and the intake lobe on the right. Also
illustrated are the valve-timing points, duration, valve overlap, valve lift, centerlines,
lobe center angle, and “ideal” engine-cycle timing, all relative to TDC at the center of
the drawing. Study this picture and the text in this section to help you visualize the
intricacies of cam-timing specifications.
often develop in the cam drive, especially in chain-drive systems (racing gear drives
typically reduce variations to within two crank degrees or less of indicated timing).
Camshaft lobe height (heal-to-toe) and the multiplying ratio of rockerarms (if used)
less any valve lash determines how far valves will lift off of the valve seats. The
rates at which the valves are accelerated open and then returned to their seats
are also “ground into” cam lobe profiles. Only a very specific range of contours
will maintain stable valve motion, particularly with high-lift, racing profiles. Unstable
profiles or excessive engine speed can force the valvetrain into “valve float” or other
instabilities, resulting in component and/or engine failure.
Valve Events
And Event-Timing Standards
There are six “basic” cam timing events ground into cam lobes. These points
control the following events:
The first four basic timing points (IVO, IVC, EVO, EVC) pinpoint the “true” begin-
ning and end of the four engine cycles and dictate when the phase of the piston/
cylinder mechanism changes from intake to compression, compression to power,
power to exhaust, and exhaust back to intake. These six points can be “adjusted”
somewhat (we’ll discuss which and how events can be altered in the next section),
but for the most part they are fixed by the design of the cam.
Several other timing points are often used, but they are always derived from the
above, six events. Common derivative events are (discussed more later):
Almost all of these valve-timing events can be measured and modeled in several
ways. The most common methods are used in the simulation and are described
below.
Seat-To-Seat (VALVE) Timing
mass flow into and out of the ports and cylinders, a crucial step in the process of
determining cylinder pressures and power output.
Note: While there is an accepted seat-to-seat measuring standard (the SAE
0.004-inch Lifter Rise or 0.006-inch Valve Rise methods), unfortunately there
is also a great deal of variation from this standard among cam manufacturers
for “cataloging” or “advertising” purposes. These variations can easily confuse
anyone trying to determine actual timing specifications. If you use the seat-
to-seat timing specs that fall into any of the categories discussed above, you
should obtain accurate results. Any seat-to-seat timing specifications obtained
at substantially more or less than 0.006-inch Valve Rise will not produce ac-
The simulation requires both Primary (0.006-inch Valve Lift) and Secondary (0.050-inch
Lobe Lift) cam-timing points. These data entry fields are shown cyan, above. Both
groups of valve-timing events (and lift, rocker ratio and valve lash) are needed to per-
form a simulation and calculate the Measured Timing values displayed in the lower
portion of the Camshaft Category (shown earlier in this section).
124—Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719
Camshaft Category
Extrapolating Seat-To-Seat Event Timing
curate results when using 10-Point cam timing values (discussed below).
This timing method is widely used and has been standardized by cam manu-
facturers. 0.050-inch cam timing points are always measured at: 0.050-inch
LIFTER Rise for both the intake and exhaust valves.
This measurement technique was not originally introduced to help evaluate valve
opening-and-closing events, valvetrain acceleration, or cam suitability for a particular
application. Rather it was intended to be used as an accurate index of cam-to-crank
position during cam installation. Because of this, it is based on the movement of
the cam follower (lifter) rather than the valve, eliminating valve lash and rocker ratio
when measuring cam-to-crank timing. Since the follower will be positioned within the
cam acceleration ramp at 0.050-inch lobe lift, and will have begun rapid movement
up the lobe flank, using this point provides good way to verify the precise rotational
index of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft. Although 0.050-inch valve timing
events do not pinpoint when the intake and exhaust valves open or close, they
provide valuable data for the simulation to mathematically model acceleration rates
and to generate an accurate valve lift curve.
Important Note: Keep in mind that 0.050 Lobe Lift points (also called Secondary
Timing) do NOT change when the rocker ratio or valve lash are altered. These
timing points are measured on the cam follower, and only the lobe shape, lifter
design, and the rotational-index between the cam and the crankshaft (ICA or
ECA) will change Secondary Timing.
If you only have access to 0.050-inch timing data for a particular camshaft, you
can still model the valve timing (albeit with somewhat reduced accuracy). Use the
Convert To STS Timing (->STS) button to have the simulation extrapolate a “best
guess” of seat-to-seat timing from the current 0.050-in Secondary values.
Note-1: To optimize accuracy, whenever possible, use the cam manufacturer’s
published Seat-To-Seat and 0.050-in Timing values as the basis for 10-Point
cam simulations.
Note-2: Using the ->STS feature is never needed if you are importing Lobe
Profile files, since both Seat-To-Seat and 0.050-in Lift points are obtained by
direct measurement of the imported profile data. More information about 10-Point
cam modeling and how it differs from Lobe-Profile modeling is presented next.
The simulation can use two distinct methods of modeling cam events and gen-
erating a valve-motion curve. They are based on: 1) 10-Point Cam Data, or 2)
Lobe-Profile Data. Here is a quick overview of these methods and how they are
used to complete a simulation:
s ured Duratio
ea n
M
Lifter Fall Lifter Rise
Determines Determines
Valve Duration Valve Duration
Closing Point Opening Point
(0.020-inch (0.020-inch
is common is common
on many Profile data is made up of lobe-
on many Ro t
solid-lifter
ation solid-lifter
cams)
lift data recorded at, usually, each
cams)
degree of camshaft rotation (by in-
stalling the cam in a special fixture
designed for this recording pro-
cess). The simulation can use this
Lobe Profiles Are Directly Measured
At Each Degree Of Camshaft Rotation data to determine valve positions at
any point during the simulation.
You may be asking, “Since the simulation can read Lobe Profile files, why use
any other “less precise” cam-data in a simulation”? The answer is: While cam
profiles do contain the most accurate valve-motion data for a specific camshaft,
using them in an engine simulation has some limitations. When a profile data set
is used, modifying individual valve-opening or closing points is next to impossible.
For example—just as in the real world—you can advance and retard profile data
(for each lobe), change lash, rocker ratio, and that’s about the end of your tuning
options. If you would like to test different intake timing (IVO, or IVC independently),
your only option is to import a completely different profile using new timing values.
Since individual valve-event timing is “baked into” profile data, it can’t be easily
changed without “corrupting” the original profile shape. When it comes to profile
10-Point cam data can make cam simulation testing a lot more versatile, especially
when you are searching for optimum cam timing for a new application; one for which
you may not have done extensive testing or research. 10-Point data sets are just
that, 10 data points that the simulation uses to extrapolate a full valve-motion curve
(in effect, a new “profile” data set) that establishes valve lift at each crank degree
during the simulation process. The 10 points used are: IVO, IVC, EVO, and EVC,
at both (SAE standard) 0.006-in valve lift and 0.050-in lobe lift points...that’s 8 data
points...plus the maximum lift for each lobe; that's 10 data points. This data, readily
available on manufacturer's “cam cards,” cam catalogs and websites, is analyzed
by the Fitter routines in the simulation to derive lobe and valve lift curves using a
sinusoidal dynamics model that exactly passes through all 10 timing points.
Note: The simulation can also model any cam from any manufacturer using any
Primary and Secondary lift heights. The Calculate/Analyze Cam Timing Using
Any Lift Height group at the bottom of the Camshaft Category can convert
any duration measured at any lift height to the SAE standard lobe and valve
events used in the simulation. Details of this feature are provided at the end of
this section of the User Manual (just before the section The CamManager™).
Since both Dynomation6 and DynoSim6 use the Fitter algorithm “on-the-fly” to
derive valve-lift curves from event timing, you are free to alter any timing point and
instantly see how it affects engine performance. You can quickly change any valve
event, lift, or advance/retard timing and test the effects on engine performance.
When you have completed your testing, you can: 1) Use the CamManager™ to
automatically search through a 10-Point camfile library to locate “real” camshafts
with published data that closely matches your test timing, or you can 2) Find cam-
profile data sets that have event timing close to the discovered optimum. In both
cases, using 10-Point cam timing facilitated finding best cam for your application.
The following several sections discuss how 10-Point cam files are loaded, tested,
and manipulated in the Camshaft Category and in the CamManager™. Importing
Lobe Profile Files is also discussed in detail. Even if you were planning on using
Lobe Profile data almost exclusively, we suggest that you read the following sec-
tions on 10-Point timing. The information may help you improve your ability to test
and locate optimum cam combinations for your test engine.
The Cam Type menu in the Camshaft category contains 18 “generic,” camshafts
(modeled using 10-Point timing data; see the previous section for an introduction
to 10-Point cam timing) separated into two groups: Cams for 2-valve engines and
cams for 4-valve engines. Since 2- and 4-valve applications can differ significantly in
valve lift, and to some extent duration, the menu arrangement will help you quickly
select a starting-point cam on which to base further testing.
When using any of these camshafts, the lift and timing data is loaded into the
appropriate fields in the Camshaft category. In addition, the Intake and Exhaust
Centerlines, the Lobe Center Angle, the Intake and Exhaust Valve Duration,
Valve Overlap and other cam-related data is measured by the Fitter (after the
simulation is has been completed) and displayed in the lower portion of the Cam-
shaft category.
A general description of each cam in the Cam Type menu is provided in the
next section.
All-out drag-racing
Drag-Racing, High-Speed Cam Modeling cams for 2- and 4-valve
engines are designed to
optimize power on larger
displacement engines at
very high engine speeds
with large-tube, open
headers, and high com-
pression ratios. These
camshafts are often not
effective in small dis-
placement engines.
tuning to minimize intake-flow reversion. IVO and EVC produce 110 degrees
of overlap. This very aggressive overlap basically has no idle quality or torque
below 6000rpm. The characteristics of this cam are extremely lopey idle, and
awesome power potential from 7000 to 9000rpm.
Whenever you select any of the V-V-T cams from the Cam Type menu, V-V-T
modeling will be activated, as indicated by a checkmark in the box next to V-V-T
Enable in the CAMSHAFT category. Also, when V-V-T is activated, the box next
to the Variable Valve Timing field in the 10-Point CamManager™ (discussed later
in this chapter) will display a checkmark.
cams). These profiles will begin to harness exhaust scavenging effects even
while running the low-speed cam timing. The increased overlap allows some
exhaust gas reversion into the induction system at lower engine speeds, slightly
affecting idle quality and low-speed torque. The high speed lobes are designed
for performance, with 20% to 33% more lift and a 10% to 18% increase in
valve durations. Valve overlap is increased to 63-degrees (2-valve cams) and
65-degrees (4-valve cams), modestly-aggressive values that take advantage
of free-flowing headers and mufflers (recommended for this cam). The narrow
lobe centerline angle of 102-degrees on the 4-valve cam applications should
be widened (with adjustable cam sprockets on dual-overhead cam engines) for
turbocharged applications and even on some naturally-aspirated engines with
low exhaust restriction. The overall characteristics of this cam are a slightly
rough idle, good power from 2500 to 8500rpm, and moderate -to-good part-
throttle fuel economy.
When you select a V-V-T cam from the Cam Type menu in the CAMSHAFT
category, or you import/load a V-V-T cam, Variable Valve Timing modeling will be
activated, however, you can activate or deactivate Variable Valve Timing at any
time. When activated, Low-Speed Lobe timing will be used in the simulation until
the engine reaches the HS Lobe Activation rpm, after which High-Speed Lobe tim-
ing will be used.
Note: When V-V-T is deactivated, by un-checking the V-V-T Enable checkbox,
only “Low-Speed Lobe” timing will be used in the simulation.
You can also create a V-V-T cam from “scratch” to meet any requirement. For
example, if you have found a non-V-V-T camshaft that produces good low-speed
performance and another cam that produces good high-speed power, you can “com-
bine” the two cams in the simulation. Here’s how: First, import or directly enter the
cam timing for the low-speed lobe. When low-speed data has been entered (and all
other engine component specs have been entered), a simulation will be performed.
Next, activate V-V-T camshaft modeling (by clicking the V-V-T Enable checkbox).
The Camshaft Category indicator may switch to RED, indicating that the category
is no longer complete. Now, click on the Display High-Speed Lobe radio button
and enter the cam timing for the High-Speed Lobe. When complete, the simulation
will model the original Low-Speed camshaft up to the HS Lobe Activation speed,
after which High-Speed timing will be used.
The Intake and Exhaust True Lift @ Valve fields display the maximum lift (at
As mentioned previously, the Direct-Click™ menus for the True Lift @ Valve
fields allow you to quickly change the maximum valve lift, useful in those cases
where you wish to perform “free-form” testing of lift vs. engine output. If you have
imported a specific cam, be aware that the original Gross Lift values from your
CamFile will be overwritten to maintain the mathematical relationship between the
newly entered Net Lift and the existing Rocker Ratio and valve Lash. The True
Lift @ Valve menus are intended for those times when you aren’t concerned about
maintaining existing cam specs; you simply wish to enter a specific lift without
concern for rocker ratio, lash, or other considerations.
This also applies to the Auto Calculate Valve Lift option at the bottom of the
True Lift @ Valve menu. This function (see photo, below) is useful when you
want to use an appropriate valve-lift based on the current valve diameters. When
Auto Calculate is enabled, the simulation will automatically calculate the lift for
BOTH intake and exhaust valves (Gross Lobe Lift may be recalculated to maintain
the mathematical relationships with the Rocker Ratio, and Valve Lash. The Auto-
Calculation feature can be turned off by re-selecting Auto Calculate Valve Lifts (“A”
indicator and the checkmark in the menu will be removed).
Note 1: Auto Calculate Valve Lifts is turned off by default when any CamFile
is loaded, since each CamFile represents a “real-world” cam that has specific
valve-lift values associated with it. However, you can reactivate Auto-Calculation
at any time by selecting it from the menus.
Note 2: If Valve Diameters are also being automatically calculated in the Cyl-
inder Head component category—cylinder-bore diameter and a cylinder-head
selection must be made before the program can complete the calculation of
valve diameters and, consequently, valve lifts.
An Introduction To
The Rocker-Math Calculator
The Camshaft Category includes a Rocker-Math Calculator that will help you
analyze how and why changes in rocker ratio affect engine output. To use the
Calculator appropriately, follow this simple rule: Enter original cam manufacturer’s
specifications for Rocker Ratio in the Camshaft Category FIRST! Then use the
Rocker Math Calculator to determine how CHANGES to these specifications will
affect cam timing, valve lift, and engine power. For more information on using the
Rocker-Math Calculator, see the chapter Version-6 Built-In Calculators later in this
manual.
Lifter/Valve Acceleration Rates
The simulation performs an analysis of the valve motion generated by cam lobe
profiles and displays an overall valvetrain acceleration rate. The acceleration values
are calculated from an analysis of intake and exhaust opening and closing ramps,
0.006-inch 0.006-inch
Closing Opening
Point Point
The simulation calculates valve accelera- Rot
ation
tion rates based on current valve timing
specifications. Valvetrain acceleration
values range from 1.00 (very-low acceler- 10-Point Lifter Acceleration Is
ation) to 9.00+ (extremely-high accelera- Derived From Seat-To-Seat and 0.050-Inch
Opening and Closing Points, And
tion). This data is provided for any Lobe
The Maximum Lift Of Each Lobe
Profile or any 10-Point cam model.
flank and nose radii, all timing specifications, and maximum lift data. The values
(from 1.0 to 9.0+), displayed in the Additional Cam Specs group in the Camshaft
Categtory. Individual intake and exhaust valve acceleration rates are displayed in
the Measured Values group.
The range of acceleration values form a relative scale that offers 900-steps of
granularity. The values include acceleration rates used in modern production/street
cams (with values ranging from 1 to 3) to racing-only applications (with values
If you wish to evaluate changes in valve acceleration, you must alter the shape
of the lobes; defined, in part, by the location of Seat-to-Seat and 0.050-inch tim-
ing points and the maximum lift of the lobes. Moving 0.050-timing closer to Seat-
To-Seat (and/or increasing lift) will mathematically reshape the lobe and increase
the acceleration (this requires 10-point cam timing as described earlier). Moving
0.050-timing farther from Seat-To-Seat values will decrease acceleration. All modified
timing values are analyzed for stability by the Fitter algorithms in the simulation.
Values that generate lobe shapes that cannot be properly modeled will trigger one
of the Valvetrain Dynamics Indicators in the Camshaft Category to switch from
green to yellow or red.
Note-1: Select Show Simulation Log from the Simulation Menu at the top of
If the cam you would like to model does not use the SAE standard 0.006-inch
(Valve) lift height for Primary cam specification and/or the 0.050-inch (LOBE) lift
height for Secondary cam specifications, a “standards converter” provided in the
Calculate/Analyze Cam Timing... group (at the bottom of the Camshaft Category)
can be used to convert any cam timing at most lift heights to the SAE standard
used by the simulation.
This Alternate-Lift Converter generates intake and exhaust valve-lift curves that
accurately model the original, non-standard camshaft timing. Start off by entering
the Primary and Secondary lift-heights (i.e., the Valve and LOBE lift heights used by
the cam manufacturer to determine the primary and secondary duration valves), the
specified primary (Valve) and secondary (LOBE) duration values, the rocker-ratios,
set the valve lash to zero (see the upcoming step-by-step usage instructions), and
set the centerline values for the intake and exhaust lobes. The calculator will first
calculate a lift curve using the non-SAE lift heights. The mathematically derived
The program includes a cam
The Alternate-Lift Height Analyzer/Converter converter that can model any
cam designed at any Primary
or Secondary lift height. The
Alternate-Lift Converter is located
at the bottom of the Camshaft
Component Category. This photo
illustrates a cam designed with
0.1-mm primary and 1.0-mm sec-
ondary lift heights. The duration
values were supplied by the cam
manufacturer. The calculator de-
termined the corresponding event
timing for SAE lift heights used
by the simulation.
curves use the Fitter built into the simulation to ensure that the primary and sec-
ondary timing points will exactly pass through the curves. Next, the calculator will
re-analyze the curves to determine the valve/lobe timing points using SAE standards.
The net result is a pair of lift curves that models the original cam but uses SAE
standards for lift heights as required by the engine simulation.
When you are satisfied that the calculator has determined the correct timing
specifications provided by the cam manufacturer (they match the cam card), click
the USE button to transfer the Primary and Secondary timing events to the simula-
tion.
Note-1: None of the values shown in the Calculate/Analyze Cam Timing...
group are used by the simulation directly. They are only transferred to the
simulation by pressing the USE button. If any values in the calculator group
are changed, they will not affect the simulation until you press USE again to
update the engine simulation cam timing values.
Note-2: When you press USE, the primary timing values are also transferred
to the simulation. Notice that the remain the same numerical values provided
by the cam manufacturer for the alternate lift height. This is possible because
the alternate height is assumed to be the “starting point” of lifter motion on the
derived lift curve (valve lift height specs less than this are considered part of
the clearance ramp and do not generate lifter motion). Then, to maintain cor-
rect lobe heights, the overall curves are scaled to match the Gross Lift value;
this results in the timing points for the alternate lift height being functionally
equivalent to the SAE 0.006-inch values used by the simulation.
The following step-by-step guide details how to use the Calculate/Analyze Cam
Timing... group:
Note: If you encounter issues using the Alternate-Lift Converter, please contact
support@motionsoftware.com and describe the problem in detail. Please attach
your engine file (your_engine_filename.dxml) to the email to help our simulation
designers duplicate your issue and track down the cause.
The 10-Point CamManager™ is a cam manipulation tool for 10-Point cam specs built
into the simulation. It offers complete control and visualization of all 10-Point timing
and lift values. Use it to enter and modify any cam-related information and search for
“real-world” camshafts from your cam libraries that matches any desired range of tim-
ing values.
Using The 10-Point CamManager™
Applies To FE and WA Simulations, Except as Indicated
The CamManager™ is a comprehensive tool built into the simulation that will help
you display, test, modify, and even search your cam libraries for optimum 10-Point
cam modeling data for any engine application.
Note About Lobe Profile Files: When a Lobe Profile file is loaded into the
simulation, the CamManager is no longer directly accessible. If you attempt
to open the CamManager, a dialog will let you know that if you proceed, all
Profile data used by the current simulation will be converted to 10-Point timing
data. The reason for this is that the CamManager is specifically designed as
a 10-Point valve-event manipulation tool. Since individual valve-events cannot
be changed when Lobe Profile files are used (only centerlines, cam advance
and retard, rocker ratio, and lash can be altered; these specifications can
all be modified directly from within the Camshaft Component category) the
CamManager features are not available when Lobe Profile data is used in
148—Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719
Camshaft Category—The CamManager™
The CamManager™ Features And Functional Groups
Tabbed Data-Entry Pages
Variable Valve
Timing Lobe
Selection/
OK/Apply/
Activation
Cancel
Open/Save
Functional CamFiles
Group
Boxes
Cam-Timing
Diagram
Lifter Acceleration Display
The CamManager™ incorporates a wide range of functionality and tools that are intui-
tive and easy-to-use. To this end, the CamManager is divided into functional groups
that separate basic functionality into several “boxes” (see text for more information).
the simulation.
The CamManager has many features and capabilities. To make this comprehen-
sive tool as easy-to-use as possible, the interface is divided into functional “groups.”
Each group of controls is positioned within a “titled box” or on a “tabbed data page.”
For example, when the CamManager is first opened (click the CamManager but-
The
CamManager
Variable-
Valve-Timing
and Cam
Description
groups are
located in the
upper-left of The Cam Description and Ex-
the main dia- tended Info groups allow you to
log box. Use enter basic information about the
these features current cam. All information in
to activate these groups is optional and has
V-V-T and set no affect on the simulation.
the switch-
over rpm.
ton in the Camshaft category), you will see the following groups: 1) Variable Valve
Timing in the top-left corner, 2) The Cam Description group is located just below it,
3) Below that are the Extended Application Info and Estimated Lifter Acceleration
displays, 4) There are three Tabs in the top-center of the dialog box that access the
Camshaft Specs, Valve-Event Timing, and Search For CamFiles pages, 5) In the
lower portion of the dialog is the Camshaft Timing Diagram, that shows all critical
valve-timing specifications at a glance, 6) On the right is a group of buttons that
load and save 10-Point CamFiles.
Each of these groups of controls has a specific functionality that is detailed here:
extends beyond the left and right sides of the graph, and is not shown). Ex-
haust valve motion is on the left in red; the intake valve motion is on the right
in blue. The valve-timing points (IVO, IVC, EVO, and EVC), Overlap, Duration,
Lobe Centerlines (ECA and ICA), and the Lobe-Center Angle (LCA) are all
dynamically drawn on the graph. In addition, maximum valve lift is illustrated
by the height of the curves. The graph is always up to date; reflecting any
changes in cam timing specifications.
and displayed. If the simulation does not have sufficient data to perform the
calculation, “Undefined” will be displayed in this group.
To import any of these camfiles, open the CamManager, click the Open button,
select the desired file extension from the Files Of Type drop-down list, then
locate the file you wish to import and click OK. When the dialog box closes,
press the Apply or OK button in the CamManager to transfer the cam data
into the simulation.
Saving CamFiles
Open the CamManager, click the Save button, locate the CamFile (.DCM) folder
(or one of its subfolders), then save the current CamFile to your hard drive.
Important Note: Keep in mind that if you enter or change any cam specifica-
tions either inside or outside the CamManager, the changed cam data WILL
be saved with the engine (.DXML) file but WILL NOT be saved in a separate
CamFile unless you specifically Save the modified cam data from within the
CamManager.
Lobe-Profile data is virtual “snapshot” of a cam lobe (separate data-sets are used
for intake and exhaust lobes). Lobe-lift data is recorded at, usually, each degree of
camshaft rotation. This is accomplished by installing the cam in a special, lathe-
type fixture designed to measure lifter rise as the cam is rotated on centers. Audie
Technology, and several other companies, manufacture these devices. Profile files
vary in format, but most contain 360 data points. Some profile files also contain
data-sets for more than one lobe, centerline data, application info, etc.
The simulation can Import several common Lobe-Profile file formats.
process. Peak lift is always located in the middle of the data set. Two common
variations of S96 exist: 1) With peak lift on line 180 (the overlapping points
are located at the end of the file), and 2) With peak lift on line 198 (with the
overlap data split between the start and the end of the file).
Note: The simulation automatically handles the subtitles of reading and in-
terpreting Lobe-Profile file formats; refer to the following sections for help in
using profile data in your simulations.
How To Import
Lobe-Profile Data
Press the Import Lobe Profile button in the Camshaft Category to begin the
import process. When the file-open dialog appears, select the desired sub-folder
and file (review Lobe Profile Formats described in the previous section), then click
OK. A Lobe Profile Import dialog will open to help you assign lobe data to a specific
valve, set centerlines, and make other determinations about the data obtained from
the file.
Here are the key features and data-entry groups in the Cam Profile Import dialog:
After you have selected a lobe profile file, this dialog will open and help you verify the
data and assign the lobe to any of four possible destinations: 1-Intake, 2-Exhaust, 3-In-
take of the VVT High-Speed Cam and 4-Exhaust of the VVT High-Speed Cam.
Description
When any lobe is selected from the Source List, information about the profile
data may be displayed in the Description box. Many profile files will only have
simple lobe identifications, like “Intake,” “Exhaust,” or other brief descriptions
of the selected lobe, while other files may offer more detailed information.
Note: Once lobe-lift data is imported, the valve seat-to-seat duration displayed
in the Camshaft Component category is determined using 0.006-inch valve
lift points (includes rocker ratio and lash), On the other hand, 0.050-lift lobe
duration is determined from the 0.050-inch lobe/tappet lift points and does not
include rocker ratio or lash.
Note-1: Since profile data only indicates how far the lifter rises above the base
circle of the cam (not the actual base-circle diameter), the simulation has to
make a calculated “guess” of the base-circle size to render the profile. If the
lobe-to-base-circle size relationship looks odd, you can enter a different base-
circle diameter that may improve the “look.” This display is only provided as
a check for lift-data completeness; base-circle size does not affect the data
used in the engine simulation.
Note-2: The arrow shown in the cam rendering indicates a normal clockwise
rotation (cam rotation is always assumed to be clockwise); the opening flank
is on the right side of the illustration and the closing ramp is on the left.
Lobe-Data Destination
The profile data associated with lobes selected in the Lobe Source-Data List
are assigned to either an intake or exhaust valve (and in the case of V-V-T
cam modeling, to the high-speed Intake or Exhaust valve) using the Lobe-Data
Destination group. This data-entry area contains either two or four radio but-
acceleration curves are displayed in the Lobe Lift and Acceleration Graph.
Keep an eye out for rough or bumpy curves that can indicate poor recorded
data quality during cam lobe measurements.
Press the OK button in the Import Dialog to transfer the cam file data into the
CAMSHAFT Category and update the simulation with the new cam specs..
Profile files, as mentioned, consist of hundreds of data points that define the
position of the cam follower throughout its lift range. Because these points are
fixed, they can not be individually changed without corrupting the lift curve. Basi-
cally, profile valve-event timing (IVO, IVC, etc.) is “built into” the data and cannot
be altered without re-defining the entire profile. However, there are a few tuning
“knobs” that you can turn when using Profile data without converting into 10-point
data. Modifying the following cam specifications offer some options when Profile
data is being used:
The simulation allows direct entry of Intake and/or Exhaust camshaft lobe ad-
vance or retard values for both Profile and 10-Point cam modeling. Changing these
specifications from zero (the default) to a positive value advances the cam lobe (in
crank degrees) while negative values retard the lobe.
Why advance or retard the cam? It’s just about the only valve-timing change that
can be made after the camshaft has been installed. While it is sometimes possible
to improve performance using this technique, let’s investigate what happens when
valve events are advanced or retarded in unison.
It is generally accepted that advancing the cam improves low-speed power while
retarding the cam can improve high-speed power. When the cam is advanced, IVC
and EVC occur earlier and that can improve low-speed performance; however, EVO
and IVO also occur earlier, and these changes tend to improve power at higher
engine speeds, but to a lessor extent. The net result of these “conflicting” changes
typically is a slight boost in low-speed power. The same goes for retarding the cam.
Two events (later IVC and EVC) boost high-speed power and two (later EVO and
IVO) boost low-speed performance, but again, to a lessor extent. The net result is
often a slight boost in high-speed power.
Advancing or retarding a camshaft under these conditions has the overall affect
of reducing valve-timing efficiency in exchange for slight gains in low- or high-speed
power. Consequently, many cam manufacturers recommend avoiding this tuning
To ensure the most accurate cam timing
and to facilitate tuning, a gear drive is DOHC Cam Sprockets
often used in high-performance applica-
tions. This a CompCams drive was de-
signed for GM LS engines (with three-bolt
cams on all 24x and 58x LS engines).
Tuning DOHC engines with individual intake and exhaust cams is a straightforward
process. While changing cam timing on an engine with a single cam forces you to
change ALL lobes the same amount and in the same direction—often reducing any
benefits you may have gained—on DOHC engines cam tuning takes on a much
greater significance. When you install an optimum cam for a specific application,
you can expect it to produce peak power (or torque) when installed “heads-up,” or
without any advance or retard. However, engine builders often find improvements by
advancing one cam and retarding the other. This is especially true in turbocharged
applications, where advancing the intake cam and retarding the exhaust cam in-
creases the Lobe-Separation Angle (also called the Lobe-Centerline Angle, or LCA),
reducing valve overlap, which sometimes improves forced-induction efficiency.
Dyno testing has shown that it is sometimes impossible to predict how the engine
will respond to intake- or exhaust-cam advance and retard. This is may be due
to subtleties within, and interactions between, the induction and exhaust systems.
While this simulation will give you valuable feedback, this fine-tuning process should
be confirmed on a real-world dynamometer.
Note: Make sure you keep in mind that changing cam advance or retard on
The Combustion Category includes Compression Ratio, Thermal Coatings, Fuel Type,
Air/Fuel Ratio (fixed or adjustable for each rpm point), Fuel Vaporization within the
intake tract (before IVC), Combustion-Chamber geometry, and Ignition Timing. Each
of these specifications directly affect how fuel is burned in the engine. This category
also includes a Compression Ratio Calculator, and a Combustion-Chamber-Selection
dialog. Clicking the Estimate Ignition Timing checkbox, will direct the simulation to
determine the MBT for the engine at each rpm point (see text).
and a Chamber-Selection dialog. Clicking the Estimate Ignition Timing checkbox will
instruct the simulation to determine the MBT (Minimum Ignition Advance For Best
Torque) for the engine at each rpm point.
Note: When you select Diesel fuel, the following fields are dimmed, since they
cannot be changed in compression-ignition applications:
Combustion Chamber Design: An analysis of chamber shape is not included
in this version of the simulation.
Ignition Timing: Ignition point determined by the simulation
Compression Ratio
and How It Is Calculated
Another quick look at the compression-ratio equation reveals that if engine dis-
placement (swept volume) is increased, either by increasing the bore or stroke, the
compression ratio will rise. In fact, with everything else being equal, a longer stroke
will increase compression ratio much more quickly than increasing bore diameter.
This is due to the fact that a longer stroke (without changing other engine dimen-
sions) not only increases displacement, but it tends to decrease combustion space
volume, since the piston moves higher the bore if the rod length and pin position
are not changed (in our “lilliputian” example, raising the floor closer to the ceiling).
This “double positive” results in rapid increases in compression ratio for small
increases in stroke length. On the other hand, increasing cylinder-bore diameter
also increases compression ratio but less significantly. This is due, in part, to the
increase in Combustion-Space Volume that often accompanies a larger bore.
PISTON
AT
TDC
with larger domes, etc. These modifications and others can be explored using the
built-in Compression-Ratio Calculator.
The simulation allows the direct selection and testing of a very wide range of
compression ratios from 3:1 to 30:1. In addition, many engine builders need to use
combustion-chamber volumes, head-gasket thickness, etc., to determine the compres-
sion ratio. The Compression-Ratio Calculator, quickly performs these functions.
Detailed information on using the Compression-Ratio Calculator is included in the
section Built-In Calculators later in this manual).
Piston/Chamber
Thermal Coatings
You can model the use of thermal coatings on the piston top or combustion
chamber, or both. Thermal coatings help keep heat in the cylinder that would oth-
erwise dissipate into the water jackets of the engine. The more combustion heat
that is held in the combustion space, the higher the cylinder pressure will be during
the power stroke. This improves engine output and overall efficiency.
The menu selection lets you choose the following models: No Thermal Coatings,
Coating Applied To The Piston OR The Chamber, and finally Coatings Applied To
The Piston AND The Chamber.
Note: The model assumes that coatings applied to the chambers includes the
valve heads (coating covers the entire chamber surface).
You can also model several automotive fuels, including Diesel, plus Nitrous-
Oxide injection with Gasoline or Methanol. Select any of these fuels options from
the FUEL menu:
When any of these fuels have been selected, the simulation readjusts the air/
fuel ratio for optimum power. This updated air-fuel ratio is displayed in the Air/Fuel
Ratio field. Changes to the Air/Fuel ratio can be made at any time by making a
selection from the Air/Fuel Ratio menu, by direct numeric entry, or by using the A/F
Table to specify a unique air/fuel ratio for each rpm test point.
To use the AF Ratio Table and create a “map” of air-fuel ratios for each rpm
point, click on the Table button in the Combustion Category. You can fill all rpm
To activate any
Nitrous Boost Horse-
power from zero to
800hp, first select one
of the Nitrous-Injec-
tion selections from
the Fuel Type menu
(which activates the
Nitrous Power Menu),
then open the Power
Menu to enter any
power value.
a large “dose” per power cycle) can generate excessive cylinder pressures. As a
result, fixed-flow-rate systems often include a delayed trigger to allow the engine
to reach sufficient speed to maintain safe cylinder pressures. Maintaining cylinder
pressures below critical levels is essential to prevent detonation and mechanical
failure.
During engine simulations with nitrous augmentation, you can keep track of cyl-
inder pressures (for example, a BMEP greater than 300psi is usually considered
borderline dangerous). For example, the nearby test graph illustrates a 350 smallblock
equipped with a 200hp nitrous system. Note that BMEP pressures below 3000rpm
exceed 300psi.
In addition to these 10 menu options, you can use the Nitrous Power Menu to
manually enter any nitrous power value from zero to 800hp.
Combustion-Chamber Design
Ignition Timing
Optimum power production depends on the precise timing of the “ignition point,”
an event that, as described above, can vary substantially. There is a significant
delay in the initiation of measurable combustion after the SparkPoint, and even
beyond that, many factors affect lag and the rate of combustion. So, what shall we
call the actual point of ignition? Should it be: 1) when the spark occurs, or 2) when
the fuel starts burning, or 3) when pressure begins to rise in the cylinder? Rather
than debating this, we will use other terms that have more precise meanings.
To begin, let’s establish the beginning of the Combustion Cycle at the SparkPoint,
commonly know as the Ignition Timing Point of the engine. This will be the pre-
cise point, in crank degrees before top-dead center (BTDC), when the initiation of
spark occurs. After the SparkPoint there is a delay before the pressure within the
cylinder actually increases. This delay can be exaggerated when the piston begins
to move down the bore after TDC, increasing combustion-space volume. At some
point, however, the increasing volume is overcome by the rapid rise in temperature
from expanding combustion. The first indication of a pressure increase is usually
defined as the Start Of Combustion, even though it’s obvious that the combustion
process was already underway, but remained in a low-burn-rate initiation phase.
We mentioned that the Ignition-Timing requirement for optimum power is com-
800
monly called the MBT (Minimum advance for Best Torque). But this timing require-
ment changes as turbulence in the combustion chamber changes, since the burn
rate is substantially linked to, among other things, the turbulence of the gasses in
the combustion chamber. Furthermore, turbulence also changes when: 1) Engine
speed changes, 2) Air/Fuel ratio changes, and 3) When engine load (throttle posi-
tion) changes. And, as mentioned, there are additional subtle changes to burn rate
from charge temperature changes, differences in compression ratio, and even bore
size and stroke length.
How can we take all these factors into consideration and determine the MBT for
all engine speeds? The simulation performs these complex calculations and derives
an estimate of an Optimum Ignition advance curve. To activate this feature, simply
check the Estimate Ignition Timing checkbox in the Combustion Category (selected
by default). You can view the calculated ignition timing values in the ProData Table,
and on the top-right RPM graph.
If you would like to enter a specific ignition timing value and/or an advance
curve based on engine speed, that option is also available. Un-check the Estimate
Ignition Timing box, and enter values for Basic Ignition Timing (BTDC). This is
the SparkPoint relative to TDC measured in crank degrees. In addition, you can
direct the simulation to calculate an advance curve by specifying the number of
degrees of advance for each 1000-rpm increase in engine speed. You can “flatten”
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT ALL HEADER CHOICES: Some engines can de-
rive scavenging benefits from suction waves created in the collector by adjacent
cylinders (although studies have revealed that the benefits, when they exist, are
relatively small). The “one-cylinder-scavenges-another” is not modeled in this
simulation. Instead, the headers are assumed to deliver a scavenging wave only
to the cylinder that generated the initial and any subsequent pressure pulses.
The simulation
contains different
exhaust-system
models for the
Filling-And-Emptying
and Wave-Action
simulations. The
Filling-And-Emptying
selections (shown
here) are “generic”
models of various
exhaust manifolds
and headers, both
with and without
mufflers and cata-
lytic converters.
in Dynomaiton6 only), it can predict engine power changes from various discrete
selections of exhaust manifolds and headers provided in the Filling/Emptying
Exhaust Model menu and from the engine speeds entered in the FE Exhaust
Tuning RPM field.
Each of the exhaust system selections apply a unique tuning model to the
simulation. The menu includes fifteen selections, seven of which include mufflers,
four include mufflers and catalytic converters, the remaining selections use “open
collector” systems. When any of these exhaust configurations are used, the simula-
tion will calculate and display an estimate of tubing diameters and lengths:
The FE Exhaust Category includes an input for FE Exhaust Tune RPM that ap-
plies to (FE only) header-based exhaust systems (excluding the first three manifold
choices in the Exhaust menu). The rpm value you enter into this field establishes
the target engine speed at which the exhaust pressure waves return the strongest
reflection (suction) wave back to the cylinder to assist exhaust scavenging. This
scavenging process improves exhaust gas outflow and intake inflow by lowering
cylinder pressures.
The FE also provides an Auto Estimate FE Exhaust Tune RPM feature included
in the Tune RPM menu. It will find the tune rpm that produces the highest engine
output, +/-1000rpm. This feature can be useful in determing the best pipe dimen-
sions. Note that the Auto feature may sometimes return unexpected (too high) rpm
values. This is due to the simulation searching for a balance between which pulse
returns to the exhaust valve and how much frictional loss occurs in the pipes. Short
pipes have low losses and can produce good power at the engine tune point, but
the power curve may be too peaky, dropping off quickly on either side of the rpm
peak.
Note: To run the FE Auto Estimate feature, the engine must be complete and
have successfully completed at least one simulation.
The exhaust system—perhaps more than any other single part of the IC en-
gine—is a virtual “playground” for high-pressure wave dynamics. The interactions
of these complex waveforms require sophisticated techniques to fully describe the
Header Design
The Wave-Action Header Design menu established the basic pipe-junction
model for the exhaust system. Eighteen model selections are available in from
the menu:
The Wave-Action
Wave-Action Header Design Menu Header Design menu
provides 18 “basic”
system configura-
tions of pipes and
junctions. Each menu
choice activates the
specific elements used
to build that header
configuration. From
these basic types, you
can construct almost
about any possible
exhaust header.
Exhaust Port
Megaphone
Runner
Megaphone End Diameter
Collector One
Secondary Pipe
Primary Pipe
Length
The Dynomation6 Header Design menu offers a “palette” of components that you can
use to build virtually any header design. This drawing shows all elements arranged
in order. Dynomation will only activate the elements necessary to build the header
configuration you select. Choose from single pipe (Zoomies—as used on funny-cars
and top-fuel dragsters) to complex headers with multiple collectors that merge pipe
segments of increasing diameters (Tri-Y designs). Each element is actually modeled
as an individual pipe segment, so except for name and dimensions, Pipe, Collector,
and Megaphone are handled in a very similar ways by the WA simulation.
PRI: Primary Pipe always begins at minimum area in the exhaust port
SEC: Secondary Pipe always begins at end of the PRI pipe
TER: Tertiary Pipe always begins at end of the SEC pipe
COL1: First Collector always begins at end of the PRI, SEC, or TER pipe and
can join/merge multiple pipes
COL2: Second Collector always begins at end of COL1 and can join/merge
multiple collectors
MEG: Megaphone is always last element in the header system
Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Pipe Lengths, Inlet Diameters, And Exit Di-
ameters
The Primary Pipe Length is the distance from the exhaust port minimum-
area location to the end of that pipe segment. The Secondary and Tertiary
pipe lengths begin at the end of the previous pipe and terminate at the next
junction or at the atmosphere. The Pipe Inlet Diameters are the inside diam-
eter of the pipe at the point of connection to the cylinder head or a previous
pipe. When the inlet diameter is larger than the previous pipe exit diameter,
a Step is created that will generate a rarefaction wave. Pipe Exit Diameters
are either the same size as the Inlet Diameter (for a simple tube) or is larger
when modeling a tapered pipe segment. If the inlet and exit diameters are
different, the simulation models the pipe segment using a perfect taper and
displays the Taper Angle used in the calculation.
Primary and Secondary Collector Lengths, Inlet Diameters, And Exit Diameters
The Collector Length begins at the end of the previous pipe or collector and
terminates at the next junction or at the atmosphere. The Collector Inlet Di-
ameters are the inside diameter of the pipe at the point of connection to the
previous pipe(s). When the inlet diameter is larger than each of the previous
pipe(s) exit diameter, a Step is created that will generate a rarefaction wave.
Collector Exit Diameters are either the same size as the Inlet Diameter (for a
straight collector) or is larger or smaller when modeling a tapered collector. If the
inlet and exit diameters are different, the simulation models the pipe segment
using a perfect taper and displays the Taper Angle used in the calculation.
Note: Only the Wave-Action exhaust elements currently in use (not dimmed) are
active, based on the current selection from the Header Design menu. When
you switch to a different Header Design, Dynomation will remember current
pipe specifications (even those not used in the new model just selected), so if
you switch back to a previous model, the values you entered remain available.
Real-World Examples Of
WA Exhaust Header Modeling
(modeled by adding a 2nd collector with the same entrance and exit diameter).
To activate the elements needed for the “standard” header, first make sure that
the WA Simulation is active by clicking the Wave Action Model radio button in the
Simulation Category. Then select Basic Header—(Pipes Merge At Collector) from
the WA Header Design menu in the Exhaust Category.
The exhaust component menus will activate the PRI (Primary Pipe) and the COL1
(Collector One) groups. Enter the primary tube length by clicking on the “***” or the
current value displayed in the Primary Tube Length: field. You can select a value
from the menu or you can directly enter any value within the limits of the program
(shown in the Status Bar at the bottom of the program screen). Move to the Inlet
Dia: field by either clicking on the field or (without using the mouse) press Enter
to accept the Length: and automatically jump to Inlet Dia:. Press Enter again to
open that field, enter a value, then continue pressing Enter to move through the
remaining fields. When all data for the Primary Pipe and Collector One groups
has been entered, the Exhaust Category will be complete (providing you have also
entered a value in the Minimum Exhaust Port Area and Pipes Per Cylinder fields,
as described earlier in this section).
If you build your own headers, pre-formed pipe segments, like these tapered collectors
from Cone Engineering makes the job much easier.
(3) Horizontal
Dividers
(5) Graph
Properties
And
Data Zones™
The Simulation Results graph, table and other data displays are designed to
help you retrieve the most information from any simulation. Each of the numbered
areas shown above are described below:
1) Main Results Graphs—The main program screen is divided into two main
sections (the left and right panes), with the component-selection categories on
the left and the main results graphs/tables on the right. The Wave-Action and
Filling-And-Emptying simulations display engine performance (horsepower and
torque, by default) in the top-right results graph. The simulation also analyzes
and displays intake, exhaust, and cylinder pressures and port-flow velocities
Graph
All results graphs can display Reticule
a red-dotted reticule line to Lines
indicate specific points within
the data being displayed. For
example, the top horsepower
graph reticule line indicates a
specific engine speed, while
the center and lower graphs
point to a crank-angle (for
Wave-Action simulations
only). To “activate” any of
these reticule lines, simply
click on the graph.
which are presented in the in the center and lower crank-angle-based graphs
(and in the graph located under the Component Categories activated using the
Display Data Tabs [#6] in the photo on the left). For more information on how
to interpret port pressure and flow graphs, refer to Wave-Dynamics Analysis
(later in this manual).
2) DataSim™ Window—The exact values “under” the reticule lines on all graphs
are displayed in the Crank-Angle DataSim™ window. Open this floating display
by clicking the DataSim™ Icon on the Main Program Toolbar or by selecting
Crank-Angle DataSim™ Window from the Tools drop-down menu. Moving the
reticule line on the (top-right) rpm-based graph and/or any crank-angle based
graph will update all DataSim™ fields. You can step forward and backwards
through crank-angle data one-degree at a time by first clicking on any crank-
The simulation Crank-Angle Data Displays (1) reveal an entire spectrum of pressures
and flow velocities for the simulated engine. The crank-angle Port Pressures graph (3)
displays intake, exhaust, and (optionally) cylinder pressures and other data. Port Gas
Velocities for intake and exhaust flow are shown by default in the lower graph (5). Exact
values of displayed data are shown in the Crank-Angle DataSim™ window (2). Simply
position the Dotted Reticule Line over the data you wish to examine. The Crank-Angle
graphs also have indicator lines for valve-event timing (6) and piston position (4). Study-
ing these pressure curves can help locate inefficiencies and diagnose tuning problems
(for more information about how to interpret the port pressure and flow graphs, refer
to Wave-Dynamics Analysis later in this manual).
3) Vertical And Horizontal Screen Dividers—The center divider between the left
and right panes and the horizontal dividers between the right-pane graphs can
be moved (click and drag) to re-size any results display to suit your require-
ments. When any screen area has been adjusted, the graphs will redraw and
re-scale to take advantage of changes in display area. Divider positions are not
“remembered” from session to session (however, all other graph and display
defaults are stored in the .dxml engine simulation file and will be reapplied the
next time the engine file is opened).
4) Graph Options Menu—Right click on any graph to open the Graph Options
Menu. This menu provides fast access to custom graph settings, including data
displayed, axis scaling, establishing side-by-side comparisons, and more:
Axis Data
The first three choices from the Graph Options Menu allow you to customise the
data displayed on each of the three graph axis (Horizontal X Axis, Left Vertical
Y1, and Right Vertical Y2; see photo on next page). Each of these axis can be
assigned a variety of simulation results (the exact selection varies depending
on whether the X Axis is rpm, crank-angle or cylinder-volume). Some the data-
set choices are: Indicated, Frictional, Pumping, and Brake Horsepower, Wheel
Horsepower, Torque, Volumetric Efficiency, a variety of Pressures (Imep, Fmep,
Pmep, Bmep, Manifold, Boost), velocities (Intake and Exhaust Port Flow), Intake
and Exhaust Valve Lifts, CD’s and Curtain Areas, Cylinder Volume, Mechanical
Efficiency, Induction Airflow, Gas Force On The Piston and more.
Axis Scaling
The second group in the Graph Options Menu allows you to select several
methods of axis scaling. You will notice that each axis can be scaled to a
fixed low, medium, and high value. In addition, an auto-scaling feature can
be enabled for any axis (turned off, by default). Use any fixed-axis scaling to
maintain constant axis values. This establishes a “fixed visual baseline,” making
it easy to see changes in power or torque as engine specifications are modi-
fied (graph won’t rescale). However, when component changes dramatically
alter data, use the auto-scaling feature will ensure that the entire data set is
always visible and shown at 80 to 90% of full graph height for good resolution.
QuickCompare™
The Graph Options Menu also contains a QuickCompare™ feature that instantly
sets any engine as a comparison baseline, allowing easy-to-see changes in
engine performance from that point onward. To setup a comparison using the
currently simulated engine, right click on a graph for which you wish to establish
the comparison, select Quick Compare™, then select Make From Current
Test. This will “copy” the current engine to an additional engine instance, name
the new simulation CompareRunX, and setup a back-to-back comparison with
the current engine on your display. Changing any component on the current
engine will instantly show any simulation differences. The QuickCompare™
feature also allows similar comparisons with any saved (.dxml) engine file
(think of the saved engine as the comparison baseline). Choose the Quick
Compare™, then select Make From File. This will open the saved engine,
name the simulation CompareRunX, and setup a back-to-back comparison
with the current engine on the selected graph.
5) Graph Properties Dialog—This dialog contains three tabbed pages that provide
detailed control of the current graph. Here is an overview of each tab:
Graph Data: Using the drop-down lists on this page you can quickly es-
tablish on-graph comparisons with up to three additional different engines.
The engines you wish to include on the current graph must be “open,” with
active Selection Tabs at the bottom of the Main Program Screen. First,
make sure the Use Multiple Documents radio button is selected (allows
multiple data sets). Next, select the specific engine you wish to add using
the Graph Data Sets drop-down menus. Up to three additional engines can
be selected using Set 2, Set 3 and Set 4 menus. When you click Apply
or OK, the current graph will redraw and include the desired engine-data
comparisons. Legends at the bottom of the graphs will provide keys to all
graphic curves.
Change the data and display
Graph Properties—Axis Properties characteristics of the current
graph by modifying the Data
Type, Graph Range, and Nu-
merical Range using the Axis
Properties tabbed page
Axis Properties shows the current Data Types and Ranges for the cur-
rent graph. Modify any characteristic by changing properties. Create custom
numeric ranges by selecting Custom-Range from the bottom of any of the
drop-down Range menus).
Reset All is available at the bottom of the Graph Properties Dialog that lets
you reset the current graph back to default settings, including the default axis
data, scaling, etc. (this full reset applies only to the selected graph).
To activate the 3D
Engine Display
either click on the
3D Engine icon in
the Toolbar or select
3D Engine Pressure/
Flow Display... from
the Tools menu.
for both simulation modes: Filling & Emptying and Wave-Action shows valve
and piston positions synchronized with the reticule locations on the crank-angle
graphs and with the data displayed in the DataSim™ window. Port pressures
and velocities are indicated with shades of color and directional arrows. You can
also see a Mass Flow indicator (flow into and out of the cylinder). This display
can be helpful in visualizing gas flow and otherwise-hidden characteristics of a
running engine. For additional information about interpreting the data shown in
the 3D Engine display and the crank-angle graphs to which it is synchronized,
refer to the Wave Dynamics Analysis chapter later in this manual.
Display the 3D Engine view by clicking the 3D Engine icon in the Toolbar, or
by selecting 3D Engine Pressure/Flow Display... from the Tools menu.
The main features of the 3D Engine display are shown in a nearby photo and
described below:
1) Intake Port Color Intensity—The intake port wall color varies from gray
to a saturated blue. This color is directly linked to the measured pres-
sures (wave intensities) within the intake port. Low pressures (expansion
waves) produce a colorless gray, while a strong blue is generated when
a high pressures (compression waves) reach the valve.
2) Exhaust Port Color Intensity—The exhaust port wall color varies from
gray to a saturated red. This color, similar to the intake port, is directly
linked to the measured pressures (wave intensities) within the exhaust
port. Low pressures (expansion waves) produce a colorless gray, while
a red is generated when a high pressures (compression waves) reach
the valve.
3) Intake Port Flow Arrow—Flow velocity and direction within the intake
port are indicated by this arrow. When the arrow is green and points
inward, toward the port, overall induction flow is moving toward the valve.
Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719—211
Simulation Results Displays
3D Engine Display Features
Intake Port Blue Intensity (1) (2) Exhaust Port Red Intensity
Indicates Port Pressure Level Indicates Port Pressure Level
The size of the arrow indicates the rate of flow. A red arrow pointing
outward indicates reverse flow (reversion of charge back into the intake
port). Also see 5, Gray Arrows, below, for more information about arrow
displays.
4) Exhaust Port Flow Arrow—Flow velocity and direction within the exhaust
ports is indicated by this arrow. Green arrows pointing outward indicates
normal exhaust flow moving away from the valve. A Red arrow pointing
inward, toward the valve, indicates reverse flow (reversion of exhaust
gasses moving back into the cylinder). The size of the arrow indicates
the flow rate. Also see 5, Gray Arrows, below, for more information
about arrow displays.
5) Gray Arrows—When either the intake-port or exhaust-port arrow turns
gray, this indicates that the valve within that port has closed, and net
flow is zero. The arrow, however, may oscillate inward and outward as
pressure pluses and particle velocity oscillates back and fourth in the
port.
6) Cylinder Mass Flow Arrow—This arrow indicates the changes in
“trapped mass” within the cylinder; the size of the arrow indicates the
mass rate of change. A green downward arrow indicates that mass is
flowing into the cylinder (e.g., during the intake stroke), and a red up-
ward arrow indicates that cylinder mass is decreasing (e.g., during the
212—Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719
Simulation Results Displays
exhaust stroke). The Mass Flow Arrow also can also identify induction
reversion during overlap and just before IVC. When there is no change
in cylinder mass (when both valves are closed), the Mass Flow Arrow
is no longer displayed.
7) Crank Position Indicator—The rotational position of the crank is dis-
played using 720-degree notation. The zero position starts at TDC on
the beginning of the power stroke. This corresponds to the crank-angle
graphs on the right of the Main Program Screen.
8) Display Only Wireframe—If you wish to display the 3D Engine using
only the underlying wireframe model, click this control (faster screen
draw).
9) Display Exterior Engine Outline—This control toggles on and off a
transparent image of the exterior dimensions of the engine.
10) Display Color Engine Cycle—This control toggles on and off the color
fill for the cylinder that indicates the current engine cycle: Red indicates
the power stroke; Yellow for the exhaust stroke; Green for the intake
stroke; and Blue for the compression stroke.
Note-1: You can control the size, view, and position of the 3D Engine. To
“grab” the engine, rotate it, and position it within the window, hold down
the left mouse and drag. To enlarge and reduce the size of the 3D Engine,
hold down the right mouse button and drag inward and outward.
Note-2: You can step forward and backwards through crank-angle data
one-degree at a time by first clicking on any crank-angle graph (to select
it), then either the right or left arrow keys. Holding SHIFT key will increase
the cursor key steps to 10-degrees. The 3D Engine display will remain
synchronized to the current crank-angle reticule line as it moves with each
keypress.
Simulation
Tests Windows
In Current Close
Phase Button
Current
Results
Save
Best
Iterator
Results
Result
Find Optimum
Best Power/Torque Increase Bore/Stroke Group
With the power and speed of simulation makes is possible to fill file cabinets
with simulated dyno-test data. In fact, it’s easy to become “bogged down” in an
overabundance of data. Sorting through simulation results, analyzing the best power
curves, and selecting promising component combinations can turn into a job nearly
as difficult as the old trial-and-error dyno testing method!
One solution to this problem was introduced by Motion Software’s as Iterative
Testing™ (pronounced “it-er-ah-tive” and “it-ter-a-tor”), a powerful feature available
in both the FE and WA simulations. Iterative testing performs series of simulation
calculations automatically until the final, optimum answer is obtained.
The simulation incorporates two versions of Iterative testing, The Quick Iterator™
is extremely simple to use (refer to the next chapter for information on the ad-
vanced ProTools™ ProIterator™). By clicking a single button, the Quick Iterator
will perform a test series to find optimum horsepower or torque. The Quick Iterator
applies an optimization process called Dual-Phase™ Testing to find the best com-
bination in short period of time. The first test phase uses a wide range of testing
values. After the best result has been found from this wide-range search, a second
phase is performed using a much narrower range of test values. The Dual-Phase
approach allows the Quick Iterator to perform, for example, a search for optimum
cam timing in less than 2500 simulation runs; typically, less than two minutes of
processing time for the Filling-And-Emptying simulation and about 10 minutes for
a Wave-Action simulation (on 4.0 Ghz or faster computer systems).
To perform a Quick Iterator analysis, select all the components for the baseline
engine. Make sure all Title Bars in each Component Category are dark-tone, indi-
cating that all engine components have been selected. There are two main testing
groups in the Quick Iterator and two buttons in each group. The upper group
searches for optimum cam timing for either peak horsepower or peak torque. The
lower group determines the best bore and stroke combination (maintaining current
engine displacement) for either optimum horsepower or peak torque.
Press either the Best HP or Best Torque button in the Optimize Cam Timing
group to begin an analysis of valve-event timing that will optimize horsepower or
torque within ±500rpm of the current power or torque peak. The Quick Iterator
assumes that the current cam used the simulated engine is a “roughly” appropri-
ate for the intended application and uses current cam timing as a starting point.
You can follow the progress of the Quick Iterator by viewing the indicators in the
Iterator Status group.
To perform an analysis of cylinder-bore and crankshaft-stroke dimensions, press
To pinpoint improvements
located by the Iterator,
you can setup back-to-
back comparisons with the
original, baseline engine.
Right-click the graph, select
Properties, then include the
baseline engine as one of
the Data Sets. The baseline
engine curves will be drawn
on the current graph, and
the key-legend at the bottom
of the graph will be updated
to include the new compari-
son.
either the Best HP or Best Torque button in the lower group. The Quick Iterator
will determine the best bore-and-stroke combination for optimum horsepower or
torque within ±500rpm of the current horsepower or torque peak (current displace-
ment will be maintained).
When Iterative testing is complete (you can stop testing at any time by pressing
the Stop button; press Resume to continue testing), the Iterator Best Result graph
will show the improvement in horsepower or torque found with the new component
specifications. You can keep the results by clicking Save. In a few seconds, the
simulation will create a new, simulated engine incorporating the component com-
bination that produced optimum power or torque. Switch between the new engine
and the baseline engine by using the Engine Selection Tabs at the bottom of
the Main Program Screen. Quick-Iterator created engines can be analyzed, tested,
and modified in any way, just like any other engine in the simulation. In fact, it is
possible to use the result to begin a new Iterator test to further “home in” on the
desired results.
The Quick Iterator will almost always find more power or torque. To pinpoint the
improvements, setup a back-to-back comparison with the original, baseline engine.
Simply right-click on the power/torque graph of the Iterator engine, select Proper-
ties, then include the baseline engine in one of the four Data Sets shown on the
Graph Data page. The baseline engine curves will be included on the current graph,
and the key-legend at the bottom of the graph will be updated.
Note: Whenever the Quick Iterator is used with Variable Valve Timing to find
the best Horsepower or Torque, tests are only run on the High-Speed Lobe
profiles. The low-speed lobes are not tested and remain unchanged. If peak
Windows
Functional Close
Group Button
Boxes
Power/Torque
Found By Iterator Rest All Close Quit Save Close
Save State
The convenience of one-button quick testing has been incorporated in the ProIterator™.
Click any preset button (e.g., Cam Timing and Peak Horsepower) to establish a testing
series on the appropriate tabbed data page. Use the Reset All button at the bottom of
the dialog box to clear all Presets and return the tabbed-pages to their default setup.
of the ProIterator™.
may find the best components for wide-rpm band racing (like road racing).
Below the Optimize settings box, the RPM Range choices let you set the
lower and upper limits through which the Iterator will search for optimum
power or torque combinations. When the Iterator is searching for peak values,
the RPM Range will be illustrated as dotted vertical lines on the Criterion
graph. When either Area Under The Curve choice is selected, the RPM
Range values will be displayed as a “bounded area” under the horsepower
or torque curves.
Note: Optimizing engine components for maximum area under the
curve is a unique way to look at engine power output. There is little
published data on this method of evaluating engine power or torque,
nor is there much research available on which racing applications may
benefit from this analysis. Rumor has it, though, that racing teams
have used this method to find a winning edge. Now you can use this
powerful analysis method in the ProIterator™ to your advantage!
that produce more power or torque than the baseline engine, the vertical
results bars will exceed the baseline and continue to grow taller. The top
ten horsepower or torque curves that match the bar-chart results are dis-
played on the Best Results—3D graph. You can view these curves from
any prospective using the X+, X-, Y+, Y-, Z+, and Z- buttons (Home returns
the 3D graph to its original position).
During the calculation of an Iterative test series, you can view the number
of completed and remaining simulations in the Iterator Status box (you can
stop testing at any time by pressing the Stop button; press Run to continue
testing or Restart to clear current results). Save any (or all) of the top ten
results by clicking the individual Save boxes located below the vertical bars
in the Best Results graph. After selecting which results to save, click the
OK button at the bottom of the ProIterator™ dialog box. The Iterator will
close and “spawn” (create) new engines based on the components that
were used in the selected tests. You can switch to any of these new en-
gines by clicking on the Engine Selection Tabs at the bottom of the Main
Component Screen (continue modifying and testing as you would with any
simulated engine).
The ProIterator™ will almost always find more power or torque. To pinpoint
these improvements, you can quickly setup back-to-back comparisons with
the original, baseline engine: Right-click on the power/torque graph of any
Iterator-generated engine, select Properties, then include the baseline engine
in one of the four Data Sets shown on the Graph Data page. The baseline
engine curves will be included on the current graph, and the key-legend at
the bottom of the graph will be updated.
Closes the Iterator and saves the current testing setup (changing engine com-
ponents of this saved engine may force the Iterator to reset to its default). Use
the Close/Save State button when you wish to continue Iterative testing on
the same engine using similar components and Iterator settings.
Close/Quit (bottom)
Closes the Iterator without saving the current state.
The first step in performing an Iterative test is to design the baseline engine.
When the engine has been simulated, you may begin an Iterative test series. Open
the ProIterator™ by choosing ProIterator™ Testing... from the Tools menu or by
clicking the ProIterator™ Icon in the Toolbar. Use the tabbed data-entry-and-display
pages to establish components and/or engine-systems for testing. Alternately, to
quickly setup a test series you can use the QuickStart buttons at the top of the
dialog box.
For this walkthrough, click on the CamTiming QuickStart Preset button. This
establishes a Dual-Phase test based around current camshaft timing specifications.
Notice that 2,401 tests will be performed during the first phase, and 6,561 tests
will be run in Phase-2 using the best result from the Phase-1 as the starting point.
Before Iterative test can begin, the results criterion you would like to optimize
must be specified. For this walkthrough, press the Peak Horsepower button at
the top of the Iterator dialog. When you click the button, the Optimize For tabbed
page is selected and is setup with Optimize For Peak Horsepower within the RPM
Now that all parameters have been entered, switch to the Run/Results tabbed
page. Click the Run button to begin the test series. As the ProIterator™ finds
promising results, they are displayed in the Best Results graph as vertical bars.
A horizontal “baseline” on the graph indicates the power level of the initial engine
(built from components on the Main Component Screen). As the Iterator finds better
and better component combinations, the bars continue to increase in height (and
the graph axis will rescale as needed). When the Iterator finds combinations that
produce more power under the curve than the baseline engine, the results bars
will cross over the baseline indicator. The top ten results are accumulated on the
Best Results—3D graph. You can view these curves from any prospective using
the X+, X-, Y+, Y-, Z+, and Z- buttons (Home returns the 3D graph to its original
orientation).
Note: You can stop the testing process at any time by pressing the Stop
button; press Run to continue testing or Restart to clear current test results.
When testing is complete, select the choices from the top ten results by click-
ing the individual Save boxes located below the vertical bars. Then click the OK
button at the bottom of the ProIterator™ dialog box. When the Iterator closes, the
simulation will add all the engines you’ve selected to the current display and place
them in the Engine Selection Tabs at the bottom of the Main Program Screen
(see Engine Selection Tabs described earlier in this manual). Each test engine can
be brought into the foreground by clicking on its Tab. Iterator “found” engines can
be further analyzed, tested, and modified in any way, just like any other engine in
loaded in the simulation. In fact, you can begin a new Iterator test using any of
the spawned engines as a new baseline to further “home in” on desired results.
Setting up an Iterative series only takes a few seconds, however, if you include
too many test parameters, ranges that are too wide, or step values that are too
small, you will create an Iterator series that contains too many tests. If you create
an excessively long test series even fast computer systems may require days or
months to complete. In these cases, the simulation may request that you increase
step values for selected parameters.
The best way to find optimum components, especially cam timing, is to setup a
Dual-Phase™ test that uses large step values (20 degrees or more) to “get in the
ballpark” on the first phase, then focus the second Iteration phase with a narrower
range of values (perhaps just a 2 to 4 degrees) and a smaller step value (perhaps
1 degree) to precisely locate the best timing.
Narrowly-focused tests may still require many thousands of test cycles to com-
plete. In these cases, it is possible to continue to use your computer while the
Narrowly-focused or mul-
An Extremely Long Iterator Test Series tiple-component tests may
require several thousand,
or even millions of test
cycles to complete. A test
series as large as the one
shown here, can require
several days of calcula-
tion time depending on the
speed of your computer.
The same results can be
obtained by a more care-
fully designed test that
takes a fraction of the time
to complete. Use wide
first-phase ranges and
steps to keep the number
of Iteration cycles to a
minimum.
The Flow Rate field in the INDUCTION category establishes the overall flow for
the simulated induction system, typically limited by the throttle size. Determining
the flow rate for injectors or carburetors, especially if the flow rating is unknown,
can be problematic. In these cases, the built-in Flow Calculator can help determine
the appropriate total induction flow for the simulation. Open the Flow Calculator
by clicking on the Flow Calc button in the INDUCTION category. The calculator
presents two distinct calculation models: 1) the Known Airflow Per Carb/Throttle,
and 2) Known Throtte-Bore Diameter.
For example, to calculate the flow for an induction system when the throttle-bore
If you are modeling an
Induction-Flow Calculator induction system that
uses multiple carbure-
tors or injector “stacks,”
you can use the built-in
Flow Calculator to help
determine total induction
flow. Enter the number
of throttles, the throttle
bore diameter or the
flow per throttle. The
calculator will estimate
the airflow for the entire
system (flow for each
throttle times the num-
ber of throttles).
diameter is known, select the right-hand radio button. First, make sure the pres-
sure-drop value matches your application (typically, 1.5-inHg is used for four-barrel
carburetors, injectors, etc., while 3.0-inHg is primarily used for 2-bbl carburetors.
Enter the number of “stacks” or “barrels,” the diameter of the throttle-bores, and
select between Butterfly or Flat-Side throttle configurations (a Flat-Side is a slide-
valve throttle that, when opened fully, provides no throttle restriction to flow). The
calculator will estimate the appropriate airflow for the overall induction system (flow
for each throttle times the number of throttles). To apply the calculated airflow to
the simulated engine, press the Apply button.
The simulation will accept induction airflow in CFM measured at a pressure drop
of either 1.5- or 3.0-In/Hg (or in metric units). For those instances where an induc-
tion system, injector, or carburetor was flow tested at a different pressure drop, or
whenever you would like to convert flow values from one pressure-drop rating to
Mode 1:
Convert Any Flow To 1.5-in/Hg—The 4-Barrel Standard.
When the calculator is first activated, the 1.5-in/Hg Airflow Ratings Standard
“radio button” is selected. The RESULTS category also defaults to a fixed pressure
drop of 1.5-in/Hg or 20.3-in/H2O (these pressure drops are identical). To convert any
known airflow measured at any pressure drop to the 1.5-in/Hg, 4-barrel standard,
enter the measured airflow and pressure drop in the INPUT category (if needed,
you can switch between Inches-of-Mercury[Hg] and Inches-of-Water[H2O] by click-
ing on the appropriate radio buttons in the INPUT and RESULTS categories). The
converted airflow will be displayed in the Calculated Airflow field. You can change
to any of the previous fields (by clicking on them or using the Tab or SHIFT-Tab
keys) to explore their effects on calculated airflow. At any time, you can click Ap-
MODE 2: Switch
the Airflow Ratings
Standard to 2-Bar-
rel Rating at 3.0-in/
Hg Pressure Drop.
Enter the known
airflow and pressure Calculated Airflow
drop in the Known At 3.0 Inches/Hg
(2-Barrel Std.)
Airflow category. The
airflow at the 2-barrel
rating standard will
be displayed in the
Calculated Airflow Any Known Airflow
category.
ply To Sim to load the new calculated airflow into the Total Induction Airflow
Rate field in the Induction category. Alternately, you can press Cancel to discard
all entries and close the Airflow Pressure-Drop Converter.
Mode 2:
Convert Any Flow To 3.0-in/Hg, The 2-Barrel Standard.
Mode 3:
Convert Any Airflow To Equivalent Flow At Any Pressure-Drop.
airflow and pressure drop in the INPUT category. Then enter the desired pressure
drop in the RESULTS category. The calculated equivalent airflow will be displayed
in the Calculated Airflow field. You can modify any of the fields (by clicking on
them or using the Tab or SHIFT-Tab keys) to explore their effects on calculated
airflow.
Note: Since the Total Induction Airflow Rate field in the Induction category
accepts only airflow values rated at either 1.5- or 3.0-in/Hg (20.3- or 40.7-in/
H2O), the Apply To Sim button is not available when No Ratings Standard
is selected. If you wish to use the new calculated values in a dyno test, select
either the 1.5-in/Hg or 3.0-in/Hg Pressure Drop in the RESULTS—Airflow
Ratings Standard group at the top of the calculator dialog.
Rocker-Math Calculator
View CHANGES in
Valve Lift here
View CHANGES in
Valve Timing here
View CHANGES in
Duration here
changes can also affect valve-open duration. When you click the Apply button af-
ter entering rocker-ratio changes in the Calculator, valve event timing changes are
transferred to the Camshaft Component category and placed in specific fields only
used for rocker-math changes.
Note-1: If you wish to “undo” Rocker-Math Calculator changes (after they have
been applied to the simulation), either reopen the calculator and reenter the
original rocker ratios, or use the Reset button next to the Rocker Math Timing
Changes fields the Camshaft Category, then manually reset the rocker ratios
to their original values.
Note-2: Changes in valve lash (independent of rocker-ratio) can have a signifi-
cant affect on valve timing, duration, and engine output. You can model these
changes directly in the Camshaft Category by simply changing the intake and/
or exhaust lash values and reviewing the timing and lift changes in the True
Cam Timing fields. In some cases, reducing lash by 0.005-inch to 0.010-inch
can (depending on cam design) add 10 degrees or more to seat-to-seat valve
duration!
The basic eight valve events (IVO, IVC, EVO, & EVC in both Seat-to-Seat and
0.050-inch timing) are required for the simulation to pinpoint opening and closing
points of the intake and exhaust valves. IVO and EVO signal the beginning of mass
flow in the intake and exhaust ports. The closing points, IVC and EVC, mark the
end of mass flow. Unfortunately, some cam catalogs and other information sources
only offer the lobe-center angles and duration values, leaving the conversion to IVO,
IVC, EVO, and EVC up to you.
While these conversions can be accomplished in the CamManager, we also
The Cam-Math
QuickCalculator is avail-
able from the Tools
menu. If a V-V-T cam
is currently simulated,
you can select between
two versions of the
QuickCalculator: low-
speed and high-speed
versions. Use Cam-Math
QuickCalculator to easily Opens Low-Speed or High-Speed
modify Lobe Center An- CamMath QuickCalculator
gles or Duration values.
If IVO, IVC, EVO and EVC cam-timing values were already entered in the
CAMSHAFT Category, the Cam-Math QuickCalculator will display the lobe-center
angle, intake centerline, and duration values for the current cam and accept any
changes you would like to make. As you modify the data fields, the corresponding
IVO, IVC, EVO and EVC points will be calculated and displayed. You may then
either accept the calculated values and transfer them to the CAMSHAFT category
by clicking one of the Apply buttons or discard the new values and close the Cam-
Math QuickCalculator by clicking Cancel.
You can select and test a wide range of compression directly in the Combus-
Opens Compression
Ratio Calculator
If an engine builder is provided with the exact volumes displaced in the dome
and valve pockets by the piston manufacturer, and the volumes of the combustion
chamber, the deck height, and the specifications for the head gaskets are also
known, a simple, numeric-only method can be used to calculate compression ratio.
This procedure is explained in this section. However, in those cases where piston
specifications are unknown (not provided by the manufacturer or machine work has
been performed on the dome/pockets), the engine builder must directly measure
dome/pocket volumes. In these situations, refer to the next section Burette-Measured
Volumes.
Known-Volumes Mode
Here are the steps for using the compression-ratio calculator in the Known-Volumes
Mode. Start off by verifying that the upper radio button Piston Dome/Deck/Relief
Specs Known has been selected. Next, enter the combustion-chamber volume (in
cubic centimeters—cc’s) in the (1) Head Chamber Volume data box. Next, enter
the volume displaced by the piston dome in (2) Dome Volume and the volume of
the valve reliefs in one piston into (3) Valve Reliefs Volume. If your piston manu-
facturer provided one value for both of these volumes, enter this combined volume
in the (2) Dome Volume field and enter zero in field (3).
Note: If any of these values are unknown, they must be manually measured
(with a burette; see the next section for Burette-Measured Volumes).
The next data entry field is (4) Deck Clearance @ TDC. This dimension indi-
cates how far down the bore the piston is located when positioned at TDC. Enter a
positive number for “down-the-bore” distances and a negative number if the piston
protrudes above the deck surface. A typical value might be +0.040-inch, indicat-
ing that the piston comes to a rest at TDC positioned 0.040-inch below the deck
surface.
Important Note: A positive Deck Clearance @ TDC indicates the piston is
positioned below the deck surface and this volume adds to the combustion
space at TDC; a negative number indicates the piston protrudes above the
deck surface at TDC and reduces the combustion space.
The next two data-entry boxes are used to calculate the volume added to the
Burette-Measured Mode
Start off by verifying that the lower radio button Measured Piston Dome/Reliefs
With Burette is selected. Enter the combustion chamber volume (in cubic centi-
meters—cc’s) in the first (1) Head Chamber Volume data field. The next entry, (2)
Piston Down From TDC For Burette Measurement, is a more-or-less arbitrary
distance down the bore (measured from the deck surface) of sufficient depth so
that the entire piston dome is located below the deck surface. Typical values may
be 0.100-inches or 0.250-inches depending on the height of the piston dome (any
distance is acceptable as long as the entire dome is positioned below the deck
surface). At this depth, a direct measurement is made of the Volume Above The
Piston in the cylinder (sometimes called Dome/Deck Volume). This measurement
is taken by the engine builder using a liquid-filled burette to fill the space above
the piston (a flat Plexiglas plate is often used to seal the top of the bore; grease
is typically used to seal the piston to the bore). For pistons with positive dome
volumes, the volume of liquid dispensed will be less than the volume for a simple
cylinder of the same height. The liquid volume dispensed from the burette is entered
in the Measured Liquid Volume Above Piston field. The difference between this
volume and the volume of a simple cylinder (of a height equal to the value entered
in field (2)) is the Calculated Deck Volume At TDC, a volume equivalent to the
sum of the dome, dish, relief, and deck volumes of the piston.
Important Note: A negative Calculated Deck Volume At TDC indicates that
the total dome/deck/relief volumes reduce the combustion space and will,
therefore, increase the compression ratio over a flattop piston. A positive
value indicates that the sum of all dome/dish/relief volumes will increase the
combustion space volume and decrease the compression ratio over a similar
The simulation can print a complete report of dyno-test results, including engine
components, cylinder head airflow data, exact engine-test result values, 2D graphic
displays of several engine-test variables and much more. Called ProPrinting™, this
professional printout comprises a multi-page, dyno-test document of the currently-
selected engine
ProPrinting™ features include custom page graphics, a cover page with the
name and address of your business (or your personal name and address) and
logo, a table of contents, optional text printed at the bottom of each page (can be
a disclaimer, copyright notice or any other text you wish), even an optional glossary
of common terms can be printed with your engine simulation report.
The full-color ProPrinting™ report is “assembled” within the simulation and de-
livered to your default Internet browser (e.g., Internet Explorer™, Chrome, FireFox,
Opera, etc.). Printing is performed within your Browser either in the foreground (for
Print-Preview) or in the background (for non-preview, direct printing; only available
with Internet Explorer). You can direct the output to any installed Windows printer.
Note: Some browsers, like the deprecated Internet Explorer, do not print “back-
ground graphics” by default. This can prevent the printing of background colors
in many of the data tables and other graphics in ProPrinting™ reports. To
enable full-function printing, open the Options choices (typically located in the
Tools or Setup menus—you may have to choose the Advanced options—and
enable Print Background Colors and Images).
ProPrinting™ setup and function are controlled by three choices from the pro-
gram File menu:
ProPrint Preview—(Works with IE, Chrome, FireFox, Opera and other browsers)
Opens the ProPrint report in your default Internet browser, with page 1 at the
top. Uses the scroll bar in your browser to move (down) through all pages
in the report. You can print the report by opening the Print or Print Preview
choices from the File or Setup menus within your browser.
Note: If your browser supports the feature, you may be able to preview mul-
tiple side-by-side pages by opening the Print Preview function from within
your browser.
ProPrint Setup
Opens a dialog that allows you to customize Pro-Printing™ features. You can
add your name, address, your company logo, specialized (copyright) text, a table
of contents, and even a short or long glossary to your ProPrint report. Use the
Some browsers support a multiple page
ProPrint Preview—Multiple Pages Print Preview. Here is a six-up display; you
may be able to select any number of pages
you wish.
Save button to save your preferences, which will be applied to all subsequent
engine simulation reports. The files for the Default Logo.bmp (should be square
with a size near 100 by 100 pixels) and the DefaultCopyright.txt are located in
Dynomation6/Manuals & Videos/ProPrint or DynoSim6/Manuals & Videos/
ProPrint subdirectory (within your main program directory: C:/Dynomation6 or
C:/DynoSim6). You can modify these files to suit your requirements.
ProPrinting™ Setup will let you configure ProPrinting™ features. If you activate
Include Logo, the logo file DefaultLogo.BMP will be displayed and printed at the
top of ProPrint pages. If you activate Include @ Bottom Of Page, the Include file
(default is DefaultCopyright.txt) will be printed at the bottom of most pages.
The location of the Default Logo.bmp and DefaultCopyright.txt is the Dynomation6/
Manuals & Videos/ProPrint or DynoSim6/Manuals & Videos/ProPrint subdirectory.
You can modify the Include @ Bottom Of Page text to display any non-formatted
text. Use a non-formatting word processor (we recommend Windows Notepad) to
modify the text to fit your needs. Keep the length under about 50 words. The De-
faultLogo.BMP file can be replaced with your own logo. Keep the file in a square,
BMP graphic format, and it should be no larger than approximately 100 by 100
pixels.
ProPrinting™ Page Descriptions
Page 1 & 2—These pages are Title and Table-of-Contents pages. The Table
of Contents page can be eliminated from the report by un-checking Include
Table Of Contents in the ProPrint™ Setup dialog box (opened from the File
menu within the simulation).
Page 3—Displays the first group of Component Category selections for the
simulated engine (because of space considerations, they are not in the same
order as shown on-screen).
Page 4—Displays the Cylinder Head AirFlow specifications for the simulated
engine.
Page 5—Displays the CamShaft Component Category for the simulated engine.
Page 6—Displays the Combustion and Exhaust Component Categories for
the simulated engine.
Page 7—This page or pages displays the Simulation Log (showing simulation
issues and/or other generated data during the last engine simulation).
Page 8—Contains the first table of rpm-based simulation results, including
Engine Speed, Flywheel Power and Torque, Indicated Power, Frictional Power,
and Pumping Power.
Page 9—Contains the second table of rpm-based simulation results, including
BASE Force On Piston, Piston Speed, Volumetric Efficiency (VE), Mechanical
Efficiency, and Fuel Conversion Efficiency.
Page 10—Contains the third table of rpm-based simulation results, including
indicated mean-effective pressures IMEP, BMEP, FMEP, and PMEP, plus Igni-
tion Timing.
Page 11—Contains the fourth table of rpm-based simulation results, including
Induction Airflow, Intake Manifold Pressure, Intake Port Pressure, Brake Specific
Fuel Consumption (BSFC), and the Fuel Usage Rate.
Page 12—Contains the fifth table of rpm-based simulation results, including Total
Retained Mass Flow, Lost Mass From Each Cylinder, Total Charge Loss, Charge
Loss To Intake Reversion, Charge Lost To Exhaust Flow, Exhaust Spoilage.
Page 13—Contains the sixth table of rpm-based simulation results, displaying
Nitrous Augmented Power and Torque.
Page 14—Contains a duplicate of the top-right graph of rpm-based simulation
results as shown on the main program screen.
Page 15—Contains a duplicate of the center-right graph of crank-angle-based
simulation results as shown on the main program screen.
Page 16—Contains a duplicate of the bottom-right graph of crank-angle-based
simulation results as shown on the main program screen.
Page 17—Contains a duplicate of the left graph of crank-angle-based simulation
results located under the Component Categories on the main program screen.
250—Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719
ProPrinting™ Features
Modifying HTML Format Files
Dynomation6 and DynoSim6 closely simulate the conditions that exist during
an actual engine dyno test. The software will predict the torque and horsepower
that a dynamometer would measure while the engine and dyno are run through a
programmed step test.
It is well known that engine power can vary considerably from one dyno test to
another if environmental and other critical conditions are not carefully controlled.
In fact, many of the discrepancies between real-world dyno tests are due to vari-
abilities in what many assume are “fixed” conditions.
Among the many interviews conducted during the research and development of
this simulation, dyno operators and engine owners readily acknowledged the pos-
sibilities of errors in horsepower measurements. Unless the dyno operator and test
personnel are extremely careful to monitor and control the surrounding conditions,
including calibration of the instrumentation, comparing results from one dyno cell
to another (or even one test run to another) is virtually impossible.
Controlling these same variables in an engine simulation program is infinitely
easier but, nevertheless, just as essential. Initial conditions of temperature, pressure,
energy, and methodology must be established and carefully maintained throughout
the simulation process. Here are some of the assumptions within this simulation
that establish a modeling baseline:
Fuel:
1) The fuel is assumed to have sufficient octane to prevent detonation. Detona-
tion is not modelled.
2) The air/fuel ratio is established by the user and can vary during the simulated
dyno run if the user has entered A/F data in a user-defined “Table.” For more
on Air/Fuel ratio modeling, see Air/Fuel Ratio Modeling later in this chapter.
3) Ignition timing can be set at MBT (Minimum advance for Best Torque) by
clicking the Estimate Ignition Timing checkbox in the Combustion Category,
however, if MBT not set, ignition timing (and power) may not be optimum.
Methodology:
1) The simulated engine is put through a series of “step” tests, during which
the load is adjusted to “hold back” engine speed as the throttle is opened
wide. The load is adjusted to allow the engine speed to rise to the first test
point. The engine is held at this speed at wide-open-throttle (WOT) and a
power reading is taken. Then engine speed is allowed to increase to the next
step and a second power reading is taken. This process continues until the
maximum testing speed is reached.
Note: Since some engines, especially those with cam timing designed for
all-out drag racing, are not able to run at full throttle under load at very
low engine speeds, the power generated at some of the lower rpm points
may register as zero.
2) Since the testing procedure increases engine speed in discrete steps, and
engine speed is held steady during the power measurement, measured engine
output does not reflect losses from accelerating the rotating assembly (the
effects of rotational inertia in the crank, rods, etc.). These processes affect
power in most “real-world” applications, such as road racing and drag racing,
where engine speed is rapidly changing throughout the race.
Camshaft Modeling:
As detailed in the Component Category chapter, the simulation uses two distinct
simulation will automatically increase the fuel volume to maintain the air/fuel ratio
displayed in the Combustion category.
Note: The fuel flow rate is shown in the ProTools Table display, along with
Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC).
Forced-Induction Modeling:
There are three basic types of supercharger models available: the Roots/Screw
Model, Centrifugal Model, and the Turbocharger Model. In addition, there is also
an intercooler model that can be coupled with any of the supercharging systems.
Each of these forced-induction models function in unique ways.
Three basic steps are performed within all of these forced-induction models: 1)
Calculation of the rotational speed of the compressor, 2) Determination of the degree
of air pressurization, and 3) Calculation of the effects of pressurized air on engine
output. This process is very dynamic and complex, requiring constant feedback
between the supercharger model and the simulated engine results (such as intake
and exhaust airflow rates and temperatures, power consumed by the supercharger,
heat generated during charge compression, etc.) to obtain accurate results.
Centrifugal Superchargers:
Like Roots/screw superchargers, a centrifugal supercharger is driven directly
from the engine, usually by the crankshaft through a series of gears or pulleys and
belts. The centrifugal supercharger consists of impeller that spins at high speed.
The blades on the impeller draw-in and accelerate air into the supercharger hous-
ing. The degree of compression is dependant on the speed, the size of the impel-
ler wheel, the wheel trim (the shape of the blades), and housing (often called the
“scroll”) size. The pressure delivered to the engine is calculated from a “compres-
Turbochargers:
Turbocharger are, basically, centrifugal superchargers with the compressor ele-
ment connected to a turbine wheel driven by exhaust pressure. And while calculation
of compressor speed is straightforward on a centrifugal supercharger, the same
cannot be said for a turbocharger. Internal shaft speed (connecting the turbine and
compressor wheels) is determined by (among other things) an analysis of exhaust
flow, turbine wheel size, turbine housing shape, and the efficiency read from the
turbine “map” (in addition to the compressor map!). Internal wheel speeds are based
on a balance between the energy used to spin the turbine and the energy needed
to compress incoming air. The simulation uses another “iterative” technique to find
a shaft speed that balances energy generated with energy consumed.
The differences between the energy required to compress the incoming air and
the energy available in the exhaust system is also the basis from which “backpres-
sure” in the exhaust system is calculated. Backpressure robs the engine of its ability
to purge itself of exhaust gasses and prevents efficient cylinder filling with fresh
charge. To limit maximum intake manifold pressure and to minimize backpressure
in the exhaust system, the turbocharger uses a pressure-limiting technique different
from roots, screw, or centrifugal superchargers. When maximum boost pressure has
been reached, excess exhaust-gas flow is diverting around the turbine through a
“wastegate” valve. Since diverted exhaust gasses no longer impinge on the turbine,
the speed of the turbine can be effectively reduced and controlled, and the bypassed
exhaust gas flow reduces backpressure and improves engine efficiency.
Note: The turbocharging algorithms used in the simulation were designed to
model the properties of a “stable-state” turbo system. In other words, transient
factors, like turbo “lag” that can occur when the engine is rapidly increasing in
rpm, are not modeled. The simulation will provide a “steady-state” analysis of
a turbocharged engine, that is, a power prediction when the engine reaches
a steady-state condition on the dynamometer at each test rpm.
Intercoolers:
The temperature of the air entering the engine from a supercharging system is
determined by several factors, including: 1) The Gas Law description of how air
will always increase in temperature as it is compressed, and 2) The efficiency of
the compressing device; the lower the efficiency, the greater the temperature rise.
Intercoolers, sometimes referred to as “aftercoolers,” are used to reduce the
temperature of the compressed air exiting the supercharger before it enters the
engine. Intercoolers are rated by their ability to absorb heat, and the ability to move
air through the maze of passages within the intercooler (determines the amount of
pressure reduction across the intercooler—some efficient intercoolers have pressure
drop of less than 10%). The higher the intercooler efficiency, the more heat the
intercooler removes from the compressed charge and the lower the pressure drop
loss applied to the induction system.
Motion Software users have created a nearly countless number of engine simula-
tion files in several different file formats that have “evolved” as the simulation has
improved over time. Many of these engine files are available on the Internet on
enthusiast sites (with extensions of .DYN, .DYM, and .SDY). The simulation can
now can open engine files created in most previous Windows-based versions of
Dynomation and DynoSim. If you are a user of the DOS-based Dynomation sold
in the mid 1990’s, you can import these files, too.
Importing older engine simulation is easy, just use the Import Other Simulation
Engine Files selection from the File menu (don't try to “Open” these files directly;
The simulation can utilize two distinct simulation models for engine analysis: The
Filling-And-Emptying (in DynoSim6) and the Wave-Action (both models are avail-
able in Dynomation6). Each of these simulation methods have their strong points,
and like using the right tool for a specific job, selecting the best simulation model
will help you find optimum component combinations in the shortest time. Refer to
the chart on the next page for an overview the features and capabilities of this
Motion Software have been used
Importing Engine-Simulation Files successfully for many years.
Many of these engine simulation
files are available on the Inter-
net on enthusiast sites (search
for .DYN, .DYM, SDY and .DXML
files). The simulation can import
engine files created in many
earlier program versions, includ-
ing older DOS-based Dynomation
files.
Dynomation6 and DynoSim6 use two distinct simulation models: The Filling-And-
Emptying (used in DynoSim6) and the Wave-Action (both models are included in
Dynomation6). Each of these simulation methods have their strong points, and like
using the right tool for the job, selecting the best simulation model will help you find
optimum component combinations in the shortest time and at the lowest cost. Refer to
this chart for comparison of the features of these powerful engine simulations.
Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719—261
Simulation Assumptions & Considerations
engine and vehicle performance. To provide this data, internal physics models are
extended, “in-depth” data is calculated and made available for graphic and table-
based displays. Extended data types depend on the simulation, but examples
include various engine pressures, frictional power consumption, trapped cylinder
mass, etc.
(4) ProData™ Graphic Displays And Tables: Includes the calculation and dis-
play of even more simulation data often needed by professional racers and/or
engine developers.
(5) Graph DataZones™: DataZones allow you to display additional graph data
and/or show ranges for target data values. DataZones can clearly illustrate dan-
gerously high pressures, engine speeds, or almost anything you wish to highlight.
DataZones can be displayed in any color(s), and you can automatically select a
gradient range between beginning and ending colors.
(7) Analyze Area Under Data Curves: Part of the ProIterator™. While peak val-
ues of torque, horsepower, acceleration, and other simulation data focus on the
“absolute maximum,” the areas under these curves represent the greatest “vol-
ume” of power or acceleration. Think of this area as the maximum horsepower
throughout the rpm range. The ProIterator can search for the 10 best combina-
tions that produce the greatest area under any portion of a selected data curve.
(10) Model Intake/Exhaust Runner Lengths And Taper Angles: The “secrets”
to engine performance often lie in the subtle elements of engine design, like the
lengths and shapes of induction and exhaust passages. Dynomation6 allows any-
one to test a wide variety of runner lengths and taper angles to determine, not
only how these critical elements affect engine power throughout the powerband,
but also to select optimum shapes for virtually any application.
(11) Megaphone And Normal Header Design Modeling: The Dynomation6 en-
gine simulation models single exhaust pipes per cylinder, “standard” headers with
collectors, and megaphone exhaust systems. All tubing lengths, diameters, and
taper angles can be tuned for a variety of applications. Megaphone exhaust sys-
tems are often used in racing motorcycle applications, but are sometimes applied
to performance automotive applications.
(13) Graph Reticule Synchronized With Engine Data: Moveable reticule lines
on graphs that are synchronized with the underlying data. By moving the reticule
over the graph, the exact data can be displayed.
(14) Import DynoSim & SC-DynoSim Engine, Cam, & Flow Files: Import and
test engine, cam, and flow files from virtually all other Motion Software engine
simulations. This makes testing and analysis much easier for those who have
developed a library of data files from other Motion simulations.
(15) Imports FlowPro Flow-Bench Test Files: This simulation models intake
and exhaust port flow from measurements taken at a wide variety of pressure
drops and valve-lift points. To accommodate the professionals that uses Audie
Technology software on their flow bench, it also directly reads FlowPro files.
Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719—263
Simulation Assumptions & Considerations
(16) Import CamPro, CamProPlus, S96, and CamDoctor Cam-Profile Files:
Supports the direct import of a number of commonly used cam-profile formats,
including CamPro, CamPro+, S96, and Cam-Doctor files. A comprehensive Im-
port dialog helps you assign centerline values and determine valve-open duration
from lifter-rise measurements.
Motion Software offers a ProFile Library that contain 3500+ modern lobe profile
files specifically designed for these engine simulations.
The air/fuel mixtures and exhaust gasses that move within the passages of the
internal-combustion (IC) engine behave in an unsteady manner. In other words, the
gases are constantly changing pressure, temperature, and velocity throughout the
four-cycle process of induction, compression, expansion, and exhaust. For example,
when the intake valve is closed, the gas velocity at the valve is zero. When the valve
begins to open, a difference in pressure between the cylinder and the port begins to
The sounds we hear around us are actually small pressure disturbances in the
air. We call these pressure “pulses” acoustic waves. The pressure amplitude (volume)
of these waves is very small. As an example, the volume at which you will begin to
experience pain from sound occurs around 120 decibels and creates a peak pressure
of only 0.00435psi above the ambient, undisturbed air. Since sea-level air pressure
(barometric pressure) is about 14.7psi, then the pressure ratio at which sound become
painful is:
Pr = P / Pa
where
P = 14.7 + 0.00435 Psi
Pa = 14.7 Psi
so:
Finite-amplitude waves take two forms within the IC engine: Compression and
Expansion. The Compression wave is a positive pressure disturbance that will always
have a pressure ratio greater than one. The Expansion wave is a strong drop below
ambient pressure, and therefore will always have a negative pressure ratio (less than
one). Expansion waves are known by other names, such as “rarefaction waves” or
“suction waves,” however, they all refer to the identical phenomenon.
Compression and expansion waves act in similar—but uniquely different—ways
as they move through IC engine passages. Understanding how these waves move
and how they interact with their surroundings is an important part of understanding
how gasses move inside the IC engine. The first piece of the puzzle is illustrated in
Figure-1. This drawing depicts a positive compression wave traveling from left to right
Figure 2
Positive pressure
Wave Interaction With Closed Pipe End compression waves
Figure 3 Figure 4 striking the closed
+
Pa
+
Pa
end of a passage
- - return with their
original profile
intact. Expansion
Expansion waves
Compression waves
before reaching before reaching waves behave simi-
closed end of pipe. closed end of pipe. lar to compression
+
waves. Net particle
+
Pa Pa motion is zero.
- -
leftward. The gas particles are returned to their original position; there is no net flow
in the pipe. This is exactly what you would expect to find in a pipe that is closed at
one end! Figure-4 depicts an expansion wave as it travels rightward within the same
closed-end pipe. Behaving similar to a compression wave, the reflected leftward mov-
ing wave remains an expansion wave with the same profile. Net particle motion is,
again, zero.
Now let’s explore the interesting actions of finite-amplitude waves as they move
within an open-end pipe. Figure-5 shows the arrival of a compression wave at a
transition to a larger area. Notice that leftward-moving compression wave is reflected
as a rightward-moving expansion wave. This has fascinating implications for particle
movement. Initially, while the compression wave traveled leftward, it helped propel
gas particles in the same leftward direction, toward the pipe end. When the expan-
sion wave is created and it begins rightward movement, it continues to drive particles
in the leftward direction (because expansion waves move particles in the opposite
direction of wave travel). Finite-amplitude compression waves moving toward the open
end of a pipe provide a “double assist” to particle movement in the same direction.
The goal of the high performance engine builder is to tune the lengths of IC engine
passages so that the reflected waves reach the cylinder at the most effective times,
either assisting exhaust-gas outflow or induction-charge inflow. If there ever was a
statement that qualified for the adage “easier said than done,” then this is it! There
are many factors that affect the arrival of these waves. A short list would include valve
timing, cam profiles, piston speed, pipe lengths, valve discharge coefficients, and
cylinder blowdown pressures. To make matters worse, the peaks of finite amplitude
waves travel faster than the base of the waves, causing wave profiles to distort as
they travel through engine passages (see Figure-7). This can ultimately cause the
waves to “tumble” over themselves, forming shock waves and converting their energy
into heat. All of these complex interactions occur simultaneously and make it easy
to see why the simple acoustic formulas that engine builders have traditionally used
to determine “tuned lengths and pipe diameters” are not applicable.
There are only two practical methods to determine effective pipe lengths and
PRESSURE-TIME HISTORIES
The direct measurement of engine pressures can reveal a great deal about en-
INTAKE EXHAUST
VALVE
OVERLAP Exhaust
Pressure (Bar)
Slight Pressure
Pressure (Bar)
Reversion
Flow
Intake
Pressure
Pressure (Bar)
Pressure (Bar)
Cylinder
Pressure On
Left Axis Scale
Cylinder
Pressure On
Right Axis Scale
These graphs are called pressure crank-angle diagrams. They trace out the pressures
measured throughout all four engine cycles, as if recorded by (simulated) transduc-
ers located in the ports and cylinders (see photo, previous page). In the upper graph,
notice when the exhaust valve opens (EVO). The formation of the primary exhaust
pulse occurs. Cylinder pressure (shown in the lower graph) quickly falls and begins
to approach exhaust port pressure. The pressure wave created at EVO returns to the
cylinder during overlap. It creates subatmospheric pressures that stops reversion and
helps induct fresh charge. If the exhaust system was designed correctly, the expansion
wave will continue to assist induction flow throughout overlap until the exhaust valve
closes (EVC).
Now let’s trace out the pressures measured throughout all four engine cycles
(on Figure-9) as recorded by the three simulated transducers. Keep in mind that the
pressures illustrated in this diagram reflect an engine that is “in-tune.” (We’ll explore
out-of-tune pressures later.) When the exhaust valve opens (EVO), the formation of
the primary exhaust pulse occurs. This high-pressure compression wave is created
when the exhaust valve releases cylinder pressures (produced by the combustion of
fuel and air) into the exhaust port and header pipe system. Cylinder pressure quickly
falls and begins to approach exhaust port pressure. Before IVO, an intake pressure
wave—created during the previous intake cycle—bounces between the closed inlet
valve and the open end of the runner. This is shown by the oscillating wave (green)
on the diagram alternately becoming an expansion and compression wave, with
pressures centering around 1-Bar, or atmospheric. When the intake valve opens,
cylinder pressure is almost always higher than the pressure in the induction system.
For the short period of time that this pressure differential exists (intake pressure pulse
indicated as Reversion Flow on graph), a reverse flow of exhaust gasses begins to
move into the induction tract. Very little reverse flow generally occurs since piston
speed is quite slow near TDC. During this time, the pressure wave that was generated
when the exhaust valve opened reached the end of the header pipe and has now
returned to the cylinder during the valve overlap period (between IVO and EVC) as
an expansion wave. This wave creates subatmospheric pressures that stops reversion
Up to this point, you may have assumed that there exists a direct relationship
between the pressures measured in the ports and the flow of gasses. Furthermore,
you may have assumed that when a pressure transducer registers a compression
wave within a passage that opens on the right, gas flow would move in a rightward
direction. In some instances gas flow does not coincide with pressures. Figure 10 will
help shed some light on this confusing issue. As compression Wave-1 moves right-
ward it propels gas particles toward the right. A second compression wave, Wave-2,
moves leftward in the same passage and propels gas particle toward the left. When
Waves 1 and 2 pass through each other they form the superposition Wave-3 (1 + 2).
Gas particles that were being propelled towards each other by the separate waves
+
1 1+2 2
Pa
Superposition
- Wave-3
A direct relationship between measured pressures and the flow of gasses within the
ports does not always exist. Consider compression Wave-1 moving rightward and pro-
pelling gas particles toward the right. Wave-2 moves leftward in the same passage and
propels gas particles toward the left. When Wave-1 and Wave-2 pass through each other
they form the superposition Wave-3 (1 + 2). Gas particles come to rest, but a pressure
transducer measuring this “new” wave would register a significant pressure increase.
will collide and come to rest within Wave-3. A pressure transducer measuring this
“new” wave will register a pressure increase. It would be easy to assume that the
higher pressure represented an increase in particle velocity.
This phenomenon makes the interpretation of pressure data difficult and eas-
ily misleading. Fortunately, Dynomation6 and DynoSim6 also calculate and display
particle-flow velocity and direction in addition to pressures for each degree of crank
rotation. With the display of port flow velocities, the simulation provides the engine
builder a comprehensive picture of port and cylinder pressures, intake and exhaust
particle flow velocities, and the direction of that flow.
INTAKE TUNING
The first part of effective intake tuning begins with good exhaust system tuning.
As mentioned previously, when the exhaust valve opens it generates a powerful
positive pressure wave that travels to the end of the header pipe and returns to the
cylinder as a strong expansion wave. When the timing is right, this suction wave will
arrive during valve overlap and draw out burnt gases while starting the inflow of fresh
charge. This scavenging effect lowers cylinder pressures just before the exhaust
valve closes, early in the intake stroke. After EVC, the piston begins to move rapidly
down the bore and when it reaches maximum speed, between 73- and 82-degrees
after TDC, the rapid increase in cylinder volume will “yank” down the already low
pressure in the cylinder. On the pressure-crank angle diagram this will occur between
400- and 440-degrees and is usually the lowest point on the cylinder pressure trace.
This sudden drop in pressure generates a strong suction wave that travels toward the
open end of the intake runner where it is reflected as a positive compression wave.
Depending on the length of the runner and the speed of the engine, this compres-
sion wave will return to the cylinder just before the intake valve closes. The arriving
Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719—275
Wave-Dynamics Analysis
Reflected Waves In Intake Port Typical intake pres-
sures throughout the
Figure 11
full 720 degrees of
Intake Pressure Crank-Angle Graph crankshaft rotation
show how each suc-
cessive wave reflection
returns with slightly
Intake
Pressure lower peak pressure. To
gain the greatest ben-
Pressure (Bar)
intake compression wave provides two benefits: 1) As the wave moves through the
port it pushes particles in the same direction, helping to fill the cylinder. When the
compression wave reaches the intake valve just before IVC, 2) the positive pressure
overcomes the buildup of pressure in the cylinder created by the piston moving up
the bore on the early part of the compression stroke. This forces additional charge
into the cylinder while delaying charge reversion until just before intake valve closes
(an effect sometimes described as ram tuning). This complex series of tuning events
adds the winning edge to many racing engines, but the exhaust system, induction
system design, and all cam timing events must be synchronized to produce these
effects.
When this critical synchronization is lost, intake charge will be driven back into
the induction system before IVC. And reversion is a power killer. The simulation can
accurately predict when this will occur in the port-flow velocity diagram (we’ll provide
specific examples of this later in the chapter).
After IVC the strong expansion wave created by the now completed intake stroke
oscillates between the pipe end and the closed intake valve. It changes its sign
from expansion to compression each time it encounters the open end of the runner.
Figure-11 shows the typical intake pressure trace throughout the 720 degrees of
crankshaft rotation. Each successive reflection returns with slightly lower peak pres-
sure (displayed on the pressure graph from zero to IVO). To gain the greatest benefit
from the reflected wave at peak engine speed, it is often best to tune the induction
system to utilize the second or third returned pulse, since these retain the highest
energy levels (engine timing and the physical length of the passages make it difficult
to utilize the first pulse).
At lower engine speeds there will be more time for pressure reflections to return
from the induction system, so additional waves will appear in the pressure crank-angle
diagram. It is also possible to increase the number of pulsations at any given rpm by
decreasing the length of the inlet runner. Similarly, a longer runner will decrease the
number of pulsations since it takes more time for each pulse to return to the intake
This formula works best for engines that operate at relatively high rpm. Unfortunately,
at lower engine speeds this equation predicts a tuned length that is too long to be
practical. Under these conditions, tuning to the third, fourth, or possibly even the fifth
returned pulse requires a much shorter and more-practical length runner. The famous
“Long Ram” of the early 1960s was designed by Chrysler to boost lower-speed torque
on some of its big-block engines (used in vehicles like the 300G). It was based on
second and third pulse tuning, requiring runners so long the carburetors wound up
positioned over the exhaust manifolds of the adjacent bank of cylinders. The runner
lengths could have been much shorter if the manifold was tuned to the third or fourth
induction pulses. Here are good approximations for runner lengths tuned for the third,
fourth, and fifth returned induction pulse:
Engine designers and builders can use these equations to obtain good initial estimates
for further “fine tuning” in the simulation.
Because of the nature of “pulse-tuning,” an intake manifold goes in and out of
tune as the engine accelerates through the rpm range. The manifold transitions from
The taper angle of the inlet runner has a significant effect on the optimum tuned
length. As runner taper angle increases, the returning pressure waves speed up,
requiring a higher engine speed to regain the same level of “tune.” For example, a
13-inch runner with a 4-degree taper angle will tune at approximately the same engine
speed as a 10-inch straight runner.
Straight runners often provide more power at lower engine speeds and work
quite well for stock engines. However, to obtain peak performance from a high-speed
racing engine, intake runners must incorporate a taper of 2 to 4 degrees (included).
There are several complex reasons why taper angles optimize power, but the most
straightforward are: 1) A tapered port has a greater volume to “store” air/fuel charge
and feed the cylinder during the main portion of intake stroke, and 2) a taper angle
acts somewhat like a stepped-header for the induction system, generating a series
of positive pressure waves that return to the valve and assist cylinder filling.
Inlet-runner taper angles can be varied in Dynomation6 not only to develop
better-functioning induction systems, but also to gain a better understanding of how
this important tuning element affects engine power. A particularly revealing test can
be done by overlaying port velocities and cylinder pressures for various inlet taper
angles.
Port Flow Velocities
Another very important element of intake and exhaust tuning is port flow velocity.
The speed at which gasses move through the ports essentially is controlled by port
area and piston speed. For example, if intake port velocity is too low, gas particles
flowing into the cylinder near IVC will not have sufficient momentum to overcome the
rise in cylinder pressure as the piston moves up the bore. Fresh charge will flow back
Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719—279
Wave-Dynamics Analysis
out of the cylinder into the inlet tract. Furthermore, when the ports are too large, all
pressure waves generated by piston motion and exhaust gas outflow are diminished.
This will decrease the effectiveness of returning pressure waves during scavenging
and cylinder filling. In fact, port size is so important that we can make this blanket
statement: Developing an engine with optimum port sizes will potentially produce more
power than the same effort put forth in determining optimum tuned runner lengths!
Research has shown that maximum port velocity through the minimum cross-
sectional area of the runner should fall between 0.5 to 0.6 Mach, or about 600- to
720-feet-per-second. Port velocities higher than 0.6 Mach produce no further increases
in volumetric efficiency. Since it is impossible for any port to generate optimum flow
velocities at all engine speeds, it is essential that the engine builder accurately
determine the required operating range for the engine and develop ports that flow
appropriately at these speed ranges. If a broad power range is required, port areas
should be sized so that maximum engine speeds produce port velocities of about 0.75
Mach. This will place optimum velocities (between 0.5 and 0.6 Mach) at lower engine
speeds, optimizing volumetric efficiency vs rpm. If high-speed, maximum power is the
goal, then port velocity at peak engine speed should be no higher than 0.6 Mach.
During your design sessions, here’s some important concepts to keep in mind. It
Returning compression
wave improves cylinder
TDC filling and prevents reversion.
This is a good example of “in tune” induction pressures. The intake pressure wave is
oscillating inside the runner and arrives at the intake valve during maximum piston
speed (highest volume change) approximately 60- to 80-degrees after TDC. The “trough”
of this wave combines with the suction created by the piston moving down the bore
to “yank” the pressure wave to a very low amplitude. This low pressure generates a
strong expansion wave that reflects back from the open-end runner as an equally strong
compression wave that arrives at IVC. This not only drives additional charge into the
cylinder, but reduces or eliminates reversion.
One reason this formula can only be an approximation of port area is that port
velocity is also dependent on the valve-discharge coefficient. This value is the mea-
sured volume of flow across the valve divided by the perfect, theoretical (isentropic)
flow. The discharge coefficient will always be less than one and is essentially a rating
for the efficiency of the valve. Specific discharge coefficient values are unique for
VALVE
OVERLAP
Pressure (Bar)
Cylinder
Pressure
These engine pressures depict an engine with an exhaust system and cam timing that
are “in-tune.” The scavenging wave is wide enough to cover the overlap period, assist-
ing exhaust gas outflow and preventing charge reversion.
EXHAUST TUNING
Incomplete removal of exhaust gases from the cylinder reduces engine perfor-
mance in two ways. First, volumetric efficiency is decreased when residual gases
occupy space within the cylinder that could have been filled with fresh charge. Second,
higher cylinder pressures, resulting from incomplete exhaust blowdown, force residual
burnt gasses into the inlet tract upon IVO. This “spoils” the fresh charge pulled back
into the cylinder during the intake stroke.
When the compression wave produced at exhaust valve opening (EVO) reaches
As rpm increases,
the pressure-crank
Exhaust System Scavenging Vs. Increasing RPM
angle diagram curves Figure 14a
“stretch” out to the Pressure Crank-Angle Graph
right, as shown by
these exhaust traces. VALVE
OVERLAP
Exhaust
short enough, the Pressure
exhaust system
will remain in tune
throughout a wide Cylinder
Pressure
rpm range. Good
TDC
scavenging is still Power Exhaust Intake Compression
Exhaust
Pressure
Cylinder
Pressure
VALVE
Engine Torque
by maximum flow during blow-
Engine Power
Exhaust
TDC
Intake Compression
indicates excessive restric-
tion in the exhaust system; in
this case, caused by engine Pressure Crank-Angle Graph
overspeed (reducing the time
for exhaust-gas blowdown) in a Figure 16b Engine Speed Graph
very-large displacement V8.
Engine Torque
Engine Power
Pumping Peak
Pressure (Bar)
Blowdown Peak
EVO EVC
Exhaust Flow Restriction At EVO
Increases Pumping Losses At Maximum
Exhaust Piston Speed In Exhaust Stroke
Pressure Trace
TDC
Power Exhaust Intake Compression
These equations only give good length and diameter estimations when the ap-
propriate value for rpm is used. If the engine has been designed for typical street-
VALVE
OVERLAP
Exhaust
Pressure Traces
In this test, we changed the collector from 12-inch long, 4.5-inch diameter to 36-inch
long, 3.75-inch diameter. Generally, increasing the collector length will broaden the
scavenging wave. Smaller collector diameters place more tuning emphasis on the ex-
pansion wave generated at the open end as opposed to the header/collector boundary.
The short-length, large-diameter collector (light-red line) produced the lowest and nar-
rowest scavenging pulse. This design tends to develop more low- to mid-range power.
The longer collector produces a wider scavenging wave of somewhat lower amplitude,
a better overall choice for high engine speeds.
VALVE
OVERLAP
Standard, Fixed-Diameter
Primary Tube Header Cylinder
Pressure Traces
Pressure (Bar)
These cylinder pressure curves illustrate how stepped headers work. Stepped head-
ers return small expansion waves at each step. These scavenging waves help exhaust
gases flow out of the cylinder, particularly helpful on large-displacement, high-speed
engines. Notice the lower cylinder pressures produced with stepped headers (lighter-red
line). The lower pressures reduce pumping work.
Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719—287
Wave-Dynamics Analysis
amplitude. The lesson to be learned from this for collector design is that smaller
collector diameters decrease the area change and reduce the amplitude of the first
reflected wave. As collector diameter is decreased, higher amplitude waves are gen-
erated at the open-end of the collector and smaller reflected waves are generated
at the primary/collector pipe boundary. Since the open end is farther away from the
cylinder, smaller collectors often boost low- to mid-rpm power. Larger diameter col-
lectors generate stronger waves at the primary/collector boundary, and since this is
closer to the cylinder, larger collectors generally boost high-rpm power (see Figures
17 and 18 that illustrate some of these principals).
While there are no simple formulas to accurately calculate these variables, the
following formula can provide “broad ballpark” figures for high-speed, racing engines:
The four basic valve-event timing points (IVO, IVC, EVO, EVC) can be grouped
into three categories based on their influence on engine performance:
1) EVC and IVO are the least important individually, but the “angular” distance
between these two events comprise the overlap period that has a significant
effect on power.
2) EVO is the next most important timing point since it determines the beginning
of the exhaust cycle which initiates cylinder blowdown.
3) IVC is the most critical event since it fixes the balance between cylinder filling
and intake reversion, each having a potent effect on engine output.
Combining your knowledge of finite-amplitude waves with this information on valve
timing will allow you to use the simulation to design or select camshafts (and choose
related intake and exhaust components) for virtually any application.
Each valve-timing point is described below, including tips about event timing and
how incorrect timing can affect wave-dynamic tuning. The reader is encouraged to use
the simulation to recreate these phenomena and examine the pressure and velocity
data to better understand how valve-event timing affects engine performance.
(IVO) Intake Valve Opening—This valve event marks the beginning of the in-
take process and valve overlap. IVO is probably the least sensitive timing point
of all four valve events. However, when the exhaust system returns a broad,
strong expansion wave, earlier IVO timing can boost performance. If a strong
scavenging wave is not present, the same early IVO timing will cause exhaust
gasses to flow into the induction system (reversion). This will substantially
reduce power from not only fresh-charge “spoiling,” but also charge heating.
There are several additional conditions, along with IVO, that influence intake
reversion. Low engine speeds usually produce low port velocities. Since induc-
tion gasses have less momentum when they are moving at slower speeds,
288—Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719
Wave-Dynamics Analysis
Valve-Timing Events
The four basic valve-event timing points (IVO, IVC, EVO, EVC) can be grouped into three
categories based on their influence on engine performance: 1) EVC and IVO are the least
important individually, but together comprise the overlap period that has a significant
effect on power, 2) EVO is the next most important timing point since is determines
the beginning of the exhaust cycle which initiates cylinder blowdown, and 3) IVC is the
most critical event since it fixes the balance between cylinder filling and intake rever-
sion, each having a potent effect on engine output.
(EVC) Exhaust Valve Closing—This event marks not only the end of the
exhaust process, but also the ending of the overlap period. At low rpm EVC
strongly influences the degree to which exhaust gasses back-flow into the
cylinder from the exhaust system. This low-speed back flow happens for two
reasons. First, at EVC, the piston is beginning to move down the bore on the
intake stroke, and since exhaust gas outflow velocity is low, the piston can
begin to draw exhaust back into the cylinder. The second reason is more in-
teresting. The negative scavenging wave created at the end of the header is
always followed by another, positive compression wave. At low engine speeds
both the scavenging and compression waves arrive prematurely. If the com-
pression wave arrives during overlap, it forces exhaust gases back into the
cylinder. One solution to this problem is the reverse-megaphone “collector”
often used on motorcycle exhaust systems. This device dampens the follow-
Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719—289
Wave-Dynamics Analysis
up compression wave and reduces exhaust reversion at mid to low rpm. This
discovery was made by accident (true for most discoveries!) when motorcycle
racers tried using a reverse-megaphone in an effort to strengthen their flimsy
exhaust systems.
At higher engine speeds, later EVC will shift the power curve towards higher
rpm at the expense of low-speed torque. At peak power the exhaust valve
should close just slightly before exhaust back-flow occurs. Don’t forget that
exhaust system tuning also has a significant influence on reversion. So, final
EVC timing should only be determined after the exhaust system has been
optimized.
(EVO) Exhaust Valve Opening—This timing point always occurs during the
latter part of the power stroke and signals the start of the blowdown process.
Optimum EVO timing permits a reduction in cylinder pressure that would oth-
Pressure-Crank-Angle Diagram
Figure 20
1000
Cylinder Pressure (psi)
800
600
Ignition
400
14.7
The Pressure Crank-Angle diagram is one of two common ways that cylinder pressures
are illustrated. This method plots cylinder pressures against the crank position during
the 720-degrees of the four engine cycles. On this graph (adjusted 360-degrees “for-
ward” from the graph standard used in the simulation) it is easy to see widely varying
cylinder pressures from induction through peak-ignition pressure.
(IVC) Intake Valve Closing—This is the most important valve event in the
4-cycle, IC engine. IVC occurs well into the compression stroke and intake
flow is easily susceptible to reversion if induction velocity and/or pressure-wave
tuning do not provide sufficient energy to hold back increasing cylinder pres-
sures. This is especially true at low to mid-range engine speeds where port
velocity is still sluggish. Late IVC reduces volumetric efficiency at lower rpm
and potentially increases volumetric efficiency at higher rpm. Optimum IVC
at maximum engine speeds depends on port velocity, pressure wave tuning,
and piston speed.
The simulation can display additional graphs that illustrate otherwise “hidden”
engine operating conditions. One of these important graphs illustrate cylinder pressure
as a function of crank angle throughout the 4-cycle process—called a Pressure-Crank-
Angle Diagram shown in Figure-20 (to recreate this graph, use either the center or
bottom graph on the right program pane, redefine the X axis to Crank Angle, Y1 to
Cylinder Pressure, and Y2 axis to None). Cylinder pressure can also be graphed as
a function of cylinder volume—called a Pressure-Volume, or PV Diagram as shown
in Figure-21 (using either the center or bottom graph, redefine the X axis to Cylinder
Volume, Y1 to Cylinder Pressure, and Y2 axis to None).
The pressure crank-angle diagram plots cylinder pressure against the position of
the crankshaft during all four cycles (when this graph is reproduced, the zero point
is fixed at TDC just after ignition on the power stroke). Ambient or atmospheric pres-
sure forms the baseline for the vertical “Cylinder Pressure” axis, below which vacuum
levels are plotted. As the intake stroke begins, cylinder pressure decreases to near
3
TDC 6 BDC
7
1
2
V2 V1
Piston Displacement
Clearance (V1 - V2)
Volume
Piston Cylinder
TDC BDC
The PV diagram compares cylinder pressure to displaced volume and illustrates the
same cylinder pressures displayed in the pressure crank-angle diagram. The PV dia-
gram has the remarkable feature of isolating the work consumed from the work devel-
oped by the engine. The area within the lower loop, drawn in a counterclockwise direc-
tion, represents the work consumed by pumping losses (exhaust and intake stroke).
The upper loop area, drawn in a clockwise direction, indicates the work produced by
expanding gasses after combustion (compression and power stroke). The PV diagram
can be a useful tool for optimizing valve-event timing, with the pumping loop providing
the most helpful information.
Pressure In Cylinder
3
Misfire
Notice that the “pressure areas” have internal directional arrows that indicate
the same sequence of events just described. Trace along the curve, again, from the
starting point 1 around part of the “lower loop” marked with a minus sign. Notice that
you are moving in a counterclockwise direction. As you move from point 2 through
the junction between the upper and lower loops, continuing past points 3, 4, 5, 6 and
finally arrive at point 7, this trip has taken you around the “upper loop,” marked with
a plus sign, in a clockwise direction. Finally, as you move past point 7 back to 1, you
trace out the upper half of the “lower loop,” again in a counterclockwise direction. What
does all the “clockwise stuff” have to do with anything? You may be amazed by the
relationship. A PV diagram has the remarkable feature of isolating the work consumed
from the work developed by the engine. The area within the lower loop, drawn in a
counterclockwise direction, represents the work consumed by the engine “pumping”
the charge into the cylinder and forcing the exhaust gasses from the cylinder. The
upper loop area, drawn in a clockwise direction, indicates the work produced by the
engine from pressures generated by expanding gasses after combustion.
Look again at the crank-angle diagram, Figure-20. Would you have thought the
relatively “simple” curve in that illustration would contain so much more “hidden”
information?
Let’s test the work-isolating concepts of PV diagram with a cylinder misfire (see
Figure-21a). In this case, the air/fuel mixture is drawn into the cylinder as usual, but
it fails to ignite and boost cylinder pressure. The PV diagram of this event still con-
sists of two loops (more or less). However, if we start at point 1 and trace through
the sequence of pressures, we outline two counterclockwise loops. So both loops
represent power consumed by the engine. The upper loop encloses very little area
since most of the power used to compress the charge is returned when the piston
is forced back down the bore by the compression pressure on the “power” stroke.
Note: The pressure in the cylinder as the piston moves down the bore on the
“power” stroke of a misfire is slightly less than the measured pressure on the
compression stroke because the charge has given up some heat, and therefore
pressure, to the cylinderwall and other surfaces.
The pressure-volume diagram can be a useful tool for locating optimum valve
event timing, with the pumping loop providing the most insightful information. Fig-
ure-22 shows a close-up view of a typical pumping loop. This period is also called the
“valve-open cycle,” since at least one of the valves is open throughout the entire loop.
This illustration also shows how the pumping loop changes shape as engine speed
increases from 3200rpm to 5200rpm. The lower, pumping loop obviously “balloons.”
However, notice that the lower portion of the lower loop (the intake cycle) remains
relatively constant, while the upper portion of the loop (the exhaust cycle) dramati-
cally rises as rpm increases. The increasing exhaust pressures are the result of the
Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719—295
Wave-Dynamics Analysis
Early Exhaust And Intake Valve Closing
Figure 23
Pressure-Volume Diagram
Early EVO Late EVO
300
Cylinder Pressure (psi)
The following information may be helpful in answering questions and solving prob-
lems that you encounter when installing or using this simulation. If you don’t find an
answer to your problem here, send and email to: support@motionsoftware.com. You
can also fax in the Mail/Fax Tech Support Form (Motion Software provides Email
and Fax technical service to registered users only). We will review your problem and
return an answer to you as soon as possible.
IMPORTANT: The simulation includes Motion’s Software Update tool that auto-
matically checks for updates (plus, you can initiate a update check at any time
by selecting Check For New Version from the HELP menu in the program).
You’ll not only receive the usual bug fixes and minor enhancements, but often
updates include entirely new features and modeling capabilities.
Many of these new features have been requested by our users (yes, we really
do listen to our customers!). If you have ideas for enhancements or you have
found issues with our software, please let us know. You'll probably see your
requested feature “appear” in the next update!
GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING
Here are just a few of the things you might think about when trying to solve
problems:
a) If the cam data that you are testing or reviewing in one of the graphs appears in-
correct, make sure you are viewing the correct lobe (this is particularly important
if you are using a Variable-Valve-Timing cam setup).
b) If a turbocharging system is not developing the boost or power you expect, re-
member that the Boost Limit is an upper limit. It does not force a too-large turbo
to spin up more quickly and generate the desired boost. You need to select the
correct size turbo, turbine, and A/R ratio to obtain the desired boost curve.
c) Take a few minutes to carefully review all your component selections. You may
find that reviewing your engine component selections directs you to the source of
the problem. It’s easy to look at a component specifications a hundred times and
see the “right” number, only to look again and find that an error that was in “plain
sight.”
298—Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719
Troubleshooting & Common Questions
d) If you are certain that you have found an outright “bug,” we are anxious to hear
from you. It is our firm intention to make sure this engine simulation stays one
of the most sophisticated, stable, and useful development tools available to the
engine builder and enthusiast. Use the email address support@motionsoftware.
com or latherton@motionsoftware.com to contact our development team. Always
include your main email address and attach any .dxml engine files (or any other
related cam or flow files) that may us help diagnose the problem. Include a thor-
ough explanation of the issues. We will make every attempt to review and reply to
your problem as soon as possible.
INSTALLATION/BASIC-OPERATION QUESTIONS
Question: Received an “Error Reading Drive D” (or another drive) message when
attempting to install the software. What does this mean?
Answer: This means your computer cannot read the disk in your CD-ROM drive.
The disk may not be properly seated in your drive, the drive may be defective, or
the disk may be damaged. If you can properly read other CDs in your CD-ROM
drive, but our software distribution disk produces error messages, try requesting
a directory of a known-good disk. If these operations produce an error message
only when using the Motion CD, the disk is probably defective. Contact Mo-
tion Software, Inc., for a replacement (email address on the back cover of this
manual). Replacement CDs or USB Security Keys are free for as long as you
own our software (you must be the original purchaser). Just return the defective
merchandise to Motion Software, Inc., and we will replace it at no charge. If you
have lost the CD or the USB Key, please call for replacement pricing.
Question: “Could not locate HASP USB Security Key” error message was displayed
when trying to run Dynomation6.
Answer: If Dynomation6 displays an error message indicating that the HASP
Security Key is missing or cannot be found, here are some quick steps you can
follow to isolate and correct common problems:
a) Make sure the Security Key is, in fact, properly connected to a functioning USB
port on your computer or to a USB hub that is connected to your computer. If
you connected the Key to a hub, try connecting it directly to a USB port on your
computer system. The Security Key contains a small LED that lights up when
it is properly connected and after it has located the correct software drivers on
your system (these drivers are normally installed during Dynomation6 installa-
tion, see step “c” below).
b) Make sure your USB port is functioning correctly by disconnecting all other
USB devices from your system. Then connect the Security Key to another
USB port. If that works, try another USB device in the port that did not work to
determine if that port is defective.
c) Try re-installing or updating the Security Key drivers. Updates are posted on
the Support page of the Motion Software, Inc., website (www.motionsoftware.
Dynomation6 & DynoSim6 Engine Simulations, v6.03.08, 051719—299
Troubleshooting & Common Questions
com). Restart your computer after you install the new drivers.
And here’s some additional tips for both Dynomation6 and DynoSim6 users:
Question: The software won’t start. It displays messages saying something like,
“msvcrt.dll linked to missing export...”
Answer: You need to update your version of Windows by using the Windows Up-
date service built into Windows, or directly go to www.microsoft.com to obtain
Windows updates. Consider updating to Windows7 or Windows10.
Question: The simulation produced an Assertion Failure error. What should I do?
Answer: Please note down all of the information presented in the error-message
box, provide a quick synopsis of what lead up to the error, then send this infor-
mation, along with the Dynomation7-Run.log or DynoSim6_Run.log data file
(located in the C:/Dynomation6 or C:/DynoSim6 director) to Motion Software
at support@motionsoftware.com. Thank you for your assistance in helping us
improve this software. If you cannot send this email, contact support@motion-
software.com for assistance.
Question: Even though I have a 21-inch monitor, I can only see a portion of the
simulation screen on my monitor. What can I do so that I don’t have to scroll
both horizontally and vertically?
Answer: The screen resolution of your monitor (not its size) determines how much
of the simulation screen you can see without scrolling left and right. You can
change screen resolution by RIGHT CLICKING on your desktop, then select-
ing PROPERTIES from the drop-down menu. Choose the SETTINGS tab and
BORE/STROKE/SHORTBLOCK QUESTIONS
Question: I cannot find the shortblock I want to model in the Shortblock menus?
Answer: The Shortblock menu is simply a list of most of the common engines.
If you cannot find your shortblock in the menus, simply enter the bore, stroke
and number of cylinders directly in the Shortblock Component Category. Send
us an email and let us know what engines you would like to see in the menu
(latherton@motionsoftware.com).
INDUCTION/MANIFOLD/FUELS QUESTIONS
Question: When I choose induction flow that is too large for an engine (for example
4000cfm on a Honda 4-cylinder), why does the power increase without showing
“bog,” or power drop at low speeds?
Answer: The simulation assumes an optimum air/fuel ratio regardless of the se-
lected CFM rating. As a result, the program produces increasingly smaller positive
results from larger-and-larger induction flows. However, you won’t go wrong if
you use common sense when selecting induction/carburetor flow capacities.
Question: The engine I am building uses two carburetors. How can I simulate the
airflow?
Answer: You can simulate induction airflow from less than 100 to 7000cfm, rated
at either the standard pressure drop of 1.5-inches or 3.0-inches of mercury (a
pressure drop of 1 inch of mercury is equivalent to 13.55-inches of water). To
simulate two carburetors, simply add the airflow and enter the total cfm value
into the Induction category (or you can use the Flow Calculator if you are unsure
about the rated flow of a venturi or throttle).
CAMSHAFT/VALVETRAIN QUESTIONS
Question: I built a relatively stock engine but installed a drag-race camshaft. The
engine only produced 9hp @ 2000 rpm. Is this correct?
Answer: Yes. Very low power outputs at low engine speeds occur when racing
camshafts are used without complementary components, such as high-flow
cylinder heads, high compression ratios, and exhaust system components that
match the performance potential of the cam.
Question: The simulation doesn’t predict power unless I enter both seat-to-seat and
0.050-inch valve timing. Why is this necessary?
Answer: The simulation can use either Cam Profile data or 10-Point Timing (specs
Question: How does the simulation allow for the different acceleration rate cams
used with hydraulic, solid, and roller lifters?
Answer: The simulation calculates a valve acceleration rate and a valve-motion
curve using both the seat-to-seat and 0.050-inch cam timing specifications (see
previous answer). Note that the acceleration rate of cams is not directly linked to
the type of lifters (e.g., mild street cams often used roller lifters), and determin-
ing the acceleration rates (intake and exhaust) from seat-to-seat and 0.050-inch
timing points produces quite accurate results.
Question: I found the published factory seat-to-seat valve timing for an engine that
I am building. The IVC occurs at 112 degrees (ABDC). Something goes wrong
when I enter the valve events into the simulation.
Answer: There are so many ways that cam specs can be described for catalog-
ing purposes that it can be quite confusing. The cam specs for your engine are
a classic example of this lack of standards. The OEM cam listed in the factory
manual is a hydraulic grind with seat-to-seat timing measured at 0.001-inch lifter
rise. Because the cam is designed for long life and quite operation, it has ex-
tended (quiet) opening ramps. This is the reason for the large number of crank
degrees between the specified “opening” and “closing” points. In fact, during
the first 35 degrees of crank rotation, the lifter rises less than 0.010-inch. If this
wasn’t the case, and the valve truly opened and closed at the factory specified
timing points, the cam would have over 350-degrees duration, and it’s unlikely
the engine would even start! Simulation seat-to-seat timing should be based
on the SAE standard of 0.006-inch valve rise. The 0.001-inch lifter-rise figures
published in your factory manual do not indicate when mass flow begins in the
ports and are useless for engine simulation purposes.
Question: My cam manufacturer’s catalog does not list seat-to-seat, valve-event tim-
ing. But it does list seat-to-seat intake and exhaust duration, lobe-center angle,
and intake centerline. Can I calculate the valve-event timing from these figures?
Answer: Yes. Use the CamMath QuickCalculator™ built into the simulation to
calculate the intake and exhaust opening and closing points. You’ll need the fol-
COMPRESSION-RATIO QUESTIONS
Question: The simulation calculated the total Combustion Volume at 92ccs. But I
know my cylinder heads have only 75cc. What’s wrong?
Answer: This confusion comes from assuming that the calculated Total Combus-
tion Volume is the same as your measured combustion-chamber volume. The
Total Combustion Volume is the entire volume that remains in the cylinder when
the piston reaches top dead center.
Question: When using the Compression Ratio Calculator, the “Measured Volumes,
Burette Method” mode, Item-2 should, but does not, allow a zero entry. I have
flattop pistons with zero deck clearance and 5cc valve pockets. Wouldn’t this be
the correct entry since I am running zero deck clearance?
Answer: The assumption in the “Measured Volumes” option is that there is a vol-
ume (the combination of the displacements in the domes/dishes/pockets) that
cannot be calculated by the engine builder. The only practical way to measure
this volume is to move the piston down the bore an arbitrary amount, say 0.250
(sufficient to ensure that the entire dome is below the deck surface), and measure
the volume in the cylinder (with a liquid and a burette). This is then compared
to the volume of a cylinder 0.250 inches high with the same bore diameter. The
difference in volume is the volume taken up by the dome/dish/pockets.
However, on your engine, you know that the flattop pistons with valve pockets
that you have will produce a zero deck height at TDC, and the displacement of
the valve pockets is 5cc. Knowing this, you can select the “Known Volumes”
model, set the deck clearance to zero, add 5cc for valve-pocket volume, enter
the combustion chamber volume, and the compression ratio will be calculated.
Question: When I run a simulation, part of the horsepower and torque graph goes
off the end of the graph. What can I do to correct the display?
Answer: Open the Graph Options menu (right-click on the graph) and select Auto
Range for the Y1 or Y2 variable.
ABDC or After Bottom Dead Center—Any position of the piston in the cylinder bore
after its lowest point in the stroke (BDC). ABDC is measured in degrees of crankshaft
rotation after BDC. For example, the point at which the intake valve closes (IVC)
may be indicated as 60-degrees ABDC. In other words, the intake valve would close
60 degrees after the beginning of the compression stroke (the compression stroke
begins at BDC).
ATDC or After Top Dead Center—Any position of the piston in the cylinder bore
after its highest point in the stroke (TDC). ATDC is measured in degrees of crankshaft
rotation after TDC. For example, the point at which the exhaust valve closes (EVC)
may be indicated as 30-degrees ATDC. In other words, the exhaust valve would close
30 degrees after the beginning of the intake stroke (the intake stroke begins at TDC).
BBDC or Before Bottom Dead Center—Any position of the piston in the cylinder
bore before its lowest point in the stroke (BDC). BBDC is measured in degrees of
crankshaft rotation before BDC. For example, the point at which the exhaust valve
opens (EVO) may be indicated as 60-degrees BBDC. In other words, the exhaust
valve would open 60 degrees before the exhaust stroke begins (the exhaust stroke
begins at BDC).
Brake Mean Effective Pressure (bmep)—A theoretical average pressure that would
have to be present in each cylinder during the power stroke to reproduce the force
on the crankshaft measured by the absorber (brake) on a dynamometer. The bmep
present during the power stroke would produce the same power generated by the
varying pressures in the cylinder throughout the entire four-cycle process.
BTDC or Before Top Dead Center—Any position of the piston in the cylinder bore
before its highest point in the stroke (TDC). BTDC is measured in degrees of crank-
shaft rotation before TDC. For example, the point at which the intake valve opens
(IVO) may be indicated as 30-degrees BTDC. In other words, the intake valve would
open 30 degrees before the intake stroke begins (the intake stroke begins at TDC).
Camshaft Lift—The maximum height of the cam lobe above the base-circle diameter.
A higher lobe opens the valves further, often improving engine performance. Lobe lift
must be multiplied by the rocker ratio (for engines using rocker arms) to obtain total
valve lift. Lifting the valve more than 1/3 the head diameter generally yields little ad-
ditional performance. Faster valve opening rates add stress and increase valvetrain
wear but can improve performance. High lift rates usually require specially designed,
high-strength components.
Centerline—An imaginary line running through the center of a part along its axis,
e.g., the centerline of a crankshaft running from front-to-back directly through the
center of the main-bearing journals.
Exhaust Valve Closing or EVC—The point at which the exhaust valve returns to
its seat, or closes. This valve timing point usually occurs early in the intake stroke.
Although EVC does not have substantial effects on engine performance, it contributes
to valve overlap (the termination point of overlap) that can have a significant effect
on engine output.
Exhaust Valve Opening or EVO—The point at which the exhaust valve lifts off of its
seat, or opens. This valve timing point usually occurs late in the power stroke. EVO
usually precedes BDC on the power stroke to assist exhaust-gas blowdown. The
EVO timing point can be considered the second most important cam timing event
Horsepower—Torque measures how much work (an engine) can do; and power is
the rate-based measurement of how fast the work is being done. Starting with the
static force applied at the end of a torque arm (torque), then multiplying this force by
the swept distance through which the same force would rotate the torque arm one
full revolution determines the power per revolution: Power Per Revolution = Force
or Weight x Swept Distance. James Watt (1736-1819) established the current value
for one horsepower: 33,000 pound-feet per minute or 550 pound-feet per second. So
horsepower is currently calculated as: Horsepower = Power Per Revolution/33,000,
which is the same as Horsepower = (Torque x 2 x Pi x RPM)/33,000, or simply:
Horsepower = (Torque x RPM)/5,252. The horsepower being calculated by these
equations is just one of several ways to rate engine power output. Various additional
methods for calculating or measuring engine horsepower are commonly used (to
derive friction horsepower, indicated horsepower, etc.), and each technique provides
additional information about the engine under consideration.
Intake Centerline Angle—The distance in crank degrees from the point of maximum
intake valve lift (on symmetric cam profiles) to TDC during the valve overlap period.
Intake Stroke—One of the four 180-degree full “sweeps” of the piston moving in the
Intake Valve Closing or IVC—Considered the most important cam timing event from
a performance standpoint. The point at which the intake valve returns to its seat, or
closes. This valve timing point usually occurs early in the compression stroke. Early
IVC helps low-end power by retaining air/fuel mixture in the cylinder and reducing
charge reversion at lower engine speeds. Late IVC increases high-speed performance
(at the expense of low speed power) by allow additional charge to fill the cylinder
from the ram-tuning effects of the induction system at higher engine speeds.
Intake Valve Opening or IVO—The point at which the intake valve lifts off of its seat,
or opens. This valve timing point usually occurs late in the exhaust stroke. Although
IVO does not have a substantial effect on engine performance, it contributes to valve
overlap (the beginning point of overlap) that can have a significant effect on engine
output.
Lobe-Center Angle or LCA—The angle in cam degrees from maximum intake lift
to maximum exhaust lift. Typical LCAs range from 100 to 116 camshaft degrees (or
200 to 232 crank degrees).
Normally Aspirated—When the air-fuel mix is inducted into the engine solely by
the lower pressure produced in the cylinder during the intake stroke; aspiration not
aided by a supercharger.
Overlap or Valve Overlap—The period, measured in crank degrees, when both the
exhaust valve and the intake valve are open. Valve overlap allows the negative pres-
sure scavenge wave to return from the exhaust system and begin the inflow of air/
fuel mixture into the cylinder even before the intake stroke begins. The effectiveness
of the overlap period is dependent on engine speed and exhaust “tuning.”
Stroke—The maximum distance the piston travels from the top of the cylinder (at
TDC) to the bottom of the cylinder (at BDC), measured in inches or millimeters. The
stroke is determined by the design of the crankshaft (the length of the stroke arm).
Top Dead Center or TDC—The position of the piston in the cylinder bore at its up-
permost point in the stroke. Occurs twice within the full cycle of a four-stroke engine;
at the start of the intake stroke and 360 degrees later at the end of the compression
stroke.
Torque—The static twisting force produced by an engine. Torque varies with the
length of the “arm” over which the twisting force is measured. Torque is a force times
the length of the measurement arm: Torque = Force x Torque Arm, where Force is
the applied or the generated force and Torque Arm is the length through which that
force is applied. Typical torque values are ounce-inches, pound-feet, etc.
Valve Head and Valve Diameter—The large end of an intake or exhaust valve that
determines the working diameter. Valve head temperature can exceed 1200 degrees(F)
during engine operation and a great deal of that heat is transferred to the cylinderhead
through the contact surface between the valve face and valve seat.
Valve Lift—The distance the valve head raises off of the valve seat as it is actuated
through the valvetrain by the camshaft. Maximum valve lift is the greatest height the
valve head moves off of the valve seat; it is the lift of the cam (lobe height minus
base-circle diameter) multiplied by the rockerarm ratio (in engines equipped with
rockerarms).
Valve Motion Curve or Valve Displacement Curve—The movement (or lift) of the
valve relative to the position of the crankshaft. Different cam styles (i.e., flat, mush-
room, or roller) typically have different displacement curve acceleration rates. Engine
simulation programs calculate a valve motion curve from valve event timing, maximum
valve lift, and other cam timing specifications.
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