Forced Induction Superchargers | Turbochargers | Intercoolers

Engine Building Simulation Software

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 16, 2016 | 08:52 PM
  #1  
squid's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 80
Likes: 6
From: PA
Default Engine Building Simulation Software

What is good, especially for centrifugals?

Obviously, there are a number of "price classes," such as Free, $100, $200, $500, and more.

I want to work out cam timing with a centrifugal.

Thanks
Tom

PS. Pretty much not interested in anything which doesn't at least use the Method of Characteristics.
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2016 | 11:19 PM
  #2  
gametech's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Top Answer: 1
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 906
From: Stockbridge GA
Default

Originally Posted by squid
What is good, especially for centrifugals?

Obviously, there are a number of "price classes," such as Free, $100, $200, $500, and more.

I want to work out cam timing with a centrifugal.

Thanks
Tom

PS. Pretty much not interested in anything which doesn't at least use the Method of Characteristics.
Given the real world knowledge base available, I would ignore any software-based predictions . Ask yourself if your goals are really that much different than what someone has already done.
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2016 | 02:42 AM
  #3  
SethU's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by gametech
Given the real world knowledge base available, I would ignore any software-based predictions . Ask yourself if your goals are really that much different than what someone has already done.
Certainly could take that route if the end goal is the end goal.

Doesn't do much in the way of education, understanding, and curing curiosity though.

Monkey see monkey do... or monkey learn monkey do. Neither right or wrong.



I'm curious too. Haven't used one in years. What's being used now-a-days?
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2016 | 04:57 AM
  #4  
stevieturbo's Avatar
9 Second Club
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 13,616
Likes: 185
From: Norn Iron
Default

Originally Posted by squid
What is good, especially for centrifugals?

Obviously, there are a number of "price classes," such as Free, $100, $200, $500, and more.

I want to work out cam timing with a centrifugal.

Thanks
Tom

PS. Pretty much not interested in anything which doesn't at least use the Method of Characteristics.
If you are needing to ask here....then could you really provide such software with all the relevant data in the first place for it to even attempt to simulate a result ?

And any such software worth using, will cost thousands of dollars.

If you want to work out cam timing properly and optimally for your engine...spend that money on dyno time and test it.

Otherwise stick to what the cam supplier/grinder recommends....as they will have done the simulations/guesswork already ( you hope )
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2016 | 05:51 AM
  #5  
alocker's Avatar
10 Second Club
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 8
From: NW Chicago Burbs
Default

Originally Posted by stevieturbo

If you want to work out cam timing properly and optimally for your engine...spend that money on dyno time and test it.
I would tend to agree with this statement unless you just have tons of money and time laying around, then go for it.
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2016 | 05:12 PM
  #6  
squid's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 80
Likes: 6
From: PA
Default

I'm looking for a preliminary design phase tool for an engine development program.
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2016 | 05:29 PM
  #7  
pantera_efi's Avatar
FormerVendor
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 18
From: Santa Ana, CA. USA
Default EAP Engine Model

I ALWAYS do this work using EAP-Pro from Performance Trends., EVERY engine rebuild.

When one "port flows" the head AND uses a Cam Doctor/Lobe File for the input specifications, the results WILL be within 5%.

Another reason is I then have a "setup sheet" for future reports.

Just ask, I will do this for FREE.

Lance
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2016 | 07:40 PM
  #8  
truckdoug's Avatar
9 Second Club
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6,389
Likes: 558
From: Portlandia
Default

Originally Posted by Pantera EFI
EAP-Pro from Performance Trends.

thats pretty neat. thats the kinda stuff i wish i had more time for.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 19, 2016 | 01:52 PM
  #9  
93camaro_zzz's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,211
Likes: 3
From: San Diego, Ca.
Default

This could do everything you wanted to do. But I'm quite certain you don't want to pay for it.

http://www.ansys.com/products/Fluids/ANSYS-Forte
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2016 | 01:58 PM
  #10  
roastin240's Avatar
TECH Resident
10 Year Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 911
Likes: 4
From: Melbourne, FL
Default

I use Ricardo WAVE for 1-D engine simulations. For in-cylinder CFD for our engine designs I use CONVERGE....I forget what WAVE costs but we spend like 5-10 grand a year on it if I recall and CONVERGE is 40 grand for a 1 year license. Obviously not justified for your average motorsports enthusiast.

But I agree 100%. Basically everyone is monkey see monkey do. I must understand all the nitty gritty details...but being an engineer by trade, all day every day, I cannot accept any less. I am not down to just copy someone else's build who was successful. I will estimate airflow vs. pressure and plot a trace through a compressor map to see where I am at throughout the entire engine operating range, etc. rather than just buying a turbo everyone says is awesome (just 1 example). And take it "too far" as most would say. But I dont do this just to be fast, I do this to exercise my skillset and learn more. Sounds like your after the same thing.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2016 | 02:16 PM
  #11  
pantera_efi's Avatar
FormerVendor
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 18
From: Santa Ana, CA. USA
Default EAP Engine Model

Thanks, to those who use science.

I have used EAP for more that twenty years, thus a great data base.

I KNOW one item, for sure, that finds a problem that has never been in error.
That "item" is an error in engine design found by a model of the engine.
ALL can agree ?

I was supplied with Ricardo WAVE used for testing with my "camless" Ford Ranger 2300.
My customer was FEV.

Lance
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2018 | 10:28 PM
  #12  
squid's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 80
Likes: 6
From: PA
Default

Yes, I have made no progress in 2 years. One year I spent, literally all my time, reroofing my house - I'd like to forget that.

However, I have been looking at the affordable stuff with EAP Enterprise @ $750 sounding interesting, but disappointing when they specifically warn NOT to use the software to match turbos. (sad emoji)

One criteria for a good program would be the ability to see that the move to high efficiency turbos resulted in back pressure less than boost and cam designs becoming like normally aspirated.

If the software can make that distinction, then that is a pretty good package. EAPent has compressor maps but NO turbine maps. I do not believe they can predict turbo backpressure. But they appear to be able to predict turbine shaft HP.

I'm a FEM jock from Pratt & Whitney and had ran a transient thermal analysis of a split compressor case to predict the change in compressor blade tip clearance... that ran for 17 days on the biggest/fastest RS6000 at UTRC. So know about all this 3D stuff.

But just a good 1D code using Method of Characteristics for wave action would be just fine. 1D finite difference is not that hard.

Consider that Matlab was $25k to purchase and now you can get it for $150. There are now free CFD codes out there but it doesn't look like GT Power, Ricardo, etc. are feeling any heat. Yet. Some day, some sharp tuner kids from MIT will write something in Python that will eat everyone's lunch... (must check Python libraries now...)

EDIT: ...check this out. A white paper with all the equations for the various components of the engine: VALIDATION OF A 0D/1D COMPUTATIONAL CODE FOR THE DESIGN OF SEVERAL KIND OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

Last edited by squid; Dec 29, 2018 at 08:03 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2018 | 02:22 AM
  #13  
gsteele's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
10 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 502
Likes: 38
Default

^^^ You sure that is a good link? 2:20 AM and it is not working for me.
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2018 | 08:04 AM
  #14  
squid's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 80
Likes: 6
From: PA
Default

My Bad...

Try the link again, the original one I posted was to the pdf file that was created on my PC. I corrected the link to the URL that opens the pdf. (Doing a search on the title would work too.)
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2021 | 08:38 PM
  #15  
squid's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 80
Likes: 6
From: PA
Default

Just thought I'd touch base to see if there's anything new out: simulation software that can predict turbo backpressure.

Trying to understand how a moderate HP TT build (800-1000hp) results in 30 mpg in a 500 cu in engine which is a far greater mpg than when it was OE NA .

I would speculate that this 30 mph state could be achieved NA if the sole objective.

Reply
Old Mar 17, 2021 | 11:44 PM
  #16  
LetsTurboSomething's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 467
Likes: 116
Default

Gas mileage is much more complex than cam power. High mph on larger engines is usually the result of leaning them out and running a compression and squishband clearance that allows for 15-16:1 AFR's in cruise.

30mph in a 500ci engine is the result of gearing, fueling, weight, aerodynamics plays maybe the largest part here. It's so much more than just the engine let alone the internals of the engine. Transmission advancement is huge for efficiency.


But really for seeing what a cam will do...they don't simulate it on software from what I've heard and seen of the major cam cutters. It's all trial and error and they literally just keep cutting cams and changing things until they dial one in that's just right. The cam they stick in a box and sell you is the result of probably hundreds of test cams in the scrap bin.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2021 | 03:52 AM
  #17  
gametech's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Top Answer: 1
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 906
From: Stockbridge GA
Default

Originally Posted by squid
Just thought I'd touch base to see if there's anything new out: simulation software that can predict turbo backpressure.

Trying to understand how a moderate HP TT build (800-1000hp) results in 30 mpg in a 500 cu in engine which is a far greater mpg than when it was OE NA .

I would speculate that this 30 mph state could be achieved NA if the sole objective.
The last 5 years of your life should hopefully explain my first answer to you. If not, good luck on wasting the rest of your life chasing computer theories that some random internet user turned into a software model.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:32 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE