Don:
I have dyno 2000, and I like it quite a bit.
Let me begin by saying that it *CAN* be pretty accurate,
but in general it is much better suited to comparing
different combinations than making predictions.
I had to tweak the simulation quite a bit to
get a combination that matched the factory rating on
the TR6. Once that's done, you can plug in different cams,
compression, exhaust, etc and watch what happens to the
power curve.
Some things it doesn't simulate:
1. Ignition timing; optimum timing is always assumed
2. Fuel mixture; no way to see impact of a rich or lean
mixture.
Some limitations:
1. Best results are obtained with seat to seat cam
timing numbers. Not all manufacturers make
these available.
2. Best results are obtained if you have flow numbers
for your intake and exhaust ports at 0.050"
lift increments. How many people have that
information?
3. You must select from a long list of carb/intake
options. Couldn't find "Dual Side Draft" carbs
as an option anywhere on the list.
4. It's helpful to know how many CFM your carb is rated.
Couldn't find the CFM stamped on the ol' ZS anywhere.
Made up a number based on the 1.75" bore.
Within these limitations, I fiddled until I got a
combination that matched the factory rating within 2
HP. From there, it was cake to swap cams and exhaust
systems looking for power. You can also see the impact
of advancing or retarding cam timing, and using higher
ratio rockers.
The other thing that I like about the simulator is that
it gives you a true sense of how difficult it is to answer
the question "Which cam is best for my car?" There are sooooo
many variables that affect the outcome, and you appreciate
that fact after playing with this simulator for a while.
The user interface is very simple, and it has never
crashed or misbehaved.
General comments:
No elegant way to save copies of the graphs. I use
the windows screen capture feature, then trim it in MS paint.
It doesn't come with a good selection of cam tables, although
you can purchase a set of cam tables that have specs on
just about every cam ever made. It is no big deal to enter and
save the specs by hand, but it would be nice to have catalogs
available from a pull down menu.
There is a feature where you can ask the simulator
to optimize your engine for peak power, torque, etc within
a certain range of parameters. The closest thing you'll ever
have to a cam guru. This feature is computationally intensive,
and on my 1GHz PIII computer had to run overnight to evaluate
one combination. Takes a while to plow through several combos
you would like to optimize and then compare.
All of these issues may have been fixed by now. My copy
is over 2 years old at this point, so take it all with a grain
of salt.
Ciao,
Vance
------------------------------
1974 Mimosa Yellow Triumph TR6
Cogito Ergo Zoom
(I think, therefore I go fast)
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Malling [mailto:dmallin@attglobal.net]
Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 6:52 PM
To: 6-Pack
Subject: Dyno2000
Any opinions out there on Dyno2000?
http://www.motionsoftware.com/dyno2000prodpage.htm
Don Malling
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