First - Let me say thanks to everyone that has posted and responded to post the last few months. I have found an incrediable amount of information on this forum that has help me and my son in working on his '75.

We are in the process of rebuilding a motor for his car. This will be a mild 350 focused on a powerband in the 1500 - 4500 range. The car has an automatic with a 3.08 rear. Dependability with a nice idle on pump gas is high on the list. Street use, no strip or bracket racing.

I realize that this isn't rocket science for those that build a couple engines a year and I'm leaning on the experience of the machine shop, however, I tend to double and triple check things. I wanted to run a few engine models thru one of the simulation packages. I'm interested in looking at 2 basic models: a) using aftermarket heads with current style intake and b) going to vortec heads with the requisit intake change. We would then look at several cam combinations.

So... finally my question to the forum. What software have you used that you would feel comfortable recommending? Desktop Dyno, Virtual Dyno, etc?

TIA, Dennis

 

You're on the right track by searching by a good software sim for your build up. It's much less expensive to try a hardware change in software to see what it's effects are than it is to buy the hardware install it and end up disappointed by the results.

I prefer Engine Analyzer by Performance Trends. I believe it has more flexibility than the other analyzer programs I've used like Desktop Dyno, Dyno 200, etc. It also includes a very comprehensive user's manual. You'll learn a lot about what affects engine performance just by reading the manual.

One thing to keep in mind is that unless you have a build up accompanied by real dyno data to tune your model it probably won't give you totally accurate results. In other words, the best procedure for using sim software is to find a build-up close to what you already have and compare the program results for that combination to actual results, tweak the inputs such as cylinder head flow, friction, etc. until the results match. Then when you start modifying your build up and performing what ifs, you'll get more realistic gains (or losses) for results. If you don't have real dyno data the sim software will at least give you an idea of the relative gain or loss from your original configuration (example: you find a cam change moved your torque peak up 500 rpm and gained you a 5% increase in torque, etc.)

 

LemansBlue68 - Thanks for the feedback!