Engine Building Software

I used to use Performance Trends Engine Analyzer, and at the time it was one of the better engine building programs. I now want to purchase another program, and because of past experience lean towards this program again, but are there others I should consider? What are your experiences with this type of program? I'm not a beginner, but I also am not building a high end racing engine. I just need it to simulate various engine configurations with reasonable accuracy. I know accuracy is dependent on the accuracy of the information inputted, but all else being equal, what do you think is the best program value out there, and why?

I used to play this drag racing game called Burnout that had a really fun engine building program on it. It was a game but fun trying to build and see various engine configs.

Man, I'm really disolutioned! You guys really disappoint me!
I thought you'd be all over this topic.
What, you pay someone else to build your engines?
That doesn't seem very grass roots to me! Really, no one has any experience with these programs? Really?

Try this.

Engine Analyzer Pro is what I have used lately. You can download a free trial, but it only allows you to use American V-8 engines.

Autolex wrote: Try this.

I didn't ask where to find them, I asked for opinions on them. Get it?

hah! I know, but given the lack of a response, I was just trying to point you somewhere that might have some experience with it.

Well I do appreciate that, but I've looked elsewhere already, and thought surely there'd be people {other than the couple who replied) here that would have used one or more of these programs. So, let me re-word my question - Does anyone know of a forum where I can get opinions on engine building programs? Hmm, maybe this would be a good GRM article...

I don't put much stock into engine building programs. I'd much rather get verified dyno information from someone who has done a build, or base prospective builds on solid engineering hypothesis. I suspect the reason you are getting little feedback is that there are few people who care what a piece of software spits out, as it's not all that useful.

DILYSI Dave wrote: I don't put much stock into engine building programs. I'd much rather get verified dyno information from someone who has done a build, or base prospective builds on solid engineering hypothesis. I suspect the reason you are getting little feedback is that there are few people who care what a piece of software spits out, as it's not all that useful.

Ditto. Software relies on good info; as the old comment goes, garbage in=garbage out. Changing your porting, valve sizes, compression ratio, intake, exhaust, etc. in reality will not be reflected the same by software. It's not because the software doesn't work right...the math is pretty simple...it's because there isn't enough info.

Bryce

bravenrace wrote: That doesn't seem very grass roots to me!

In all honesty, I think its that buying analysis software for engines building isn't very grassroots... I would be willing to be most guys here just go off trial and error/experience/testing.

I can't imagine the cheap ones being very good, or the good ones being very cheap...

Desktop Dyno 2000 is free and I find it useful for comparing a bunch of cam profiles without buying them all.

As long as you have head flow numbers and as much info as possible to feed it, it seems pretty reasonable.

It is at least 10% optimistic IMHO.

Shawn

The results I've seen from desktop dyno have been surprisingly accurate.

Thanks guys. I'm an engineer, and understand the garbage in garbage out thing. That's why I would input good info. I've actually seen very accurate results from Engine Analyzer, having designed an engine on it and then built it and dyno'd it. I was just wondering if any of the other programs had been upgraded along with that one and were worth considering. I don't agree that these software programs aren't grass roots. For one, like Shawn mentioned, Desk Top Dyno is free, and there's no more grass roots than that. Second, it can save you a lot of money spent on the trial and error method. Going by someone elses dyno numbers is fine, but what if you can't find an example that gives you the characteristics that you are looking for? Or what if that engine makes the power you are looking for, but with dangerous piston speeds, rod ratios, cylinder pressures, or poor efficiency? A properly done program can provide that information, and do it with good accuracy,which is certainly going to get you closer than just trial and error. I think I'll stick with Performance Trends, although I may try DDD. I guess I didn't know it was free, so if that's correct, it's worth a try.

In reply to Trans_Maro:

Okay Shawn, can you tell me where DDD can be had for free? I did some searching and everything I found was charging about $50 for it. I'm not doubting you, just can't find where to get it for free. Jim

there is also horsepowercalculators.net

http://ronspontiacpage.com/indexes/index.html

Click on the "desktop dyno 2000" tab

Shawn

I have Dyno 2003 myself. It seems like Desktop Dyno with more info boxes.

Bumping this back up... I downloaded DesktopDyno2000 just for fun and starting plugging in the specs for my motor.

I'm stuck at this field here:

I can't figure out what "Piston down from TDC" is supposed to be. I'm thinking compression height? Which is 30mm for mine, but inputting 30mm there gives me some funny numbers....