MacDizzy's Two-Stroke Software Review - Part 1,Introduction To Two-Stroke Software

Two-Stroke Software Review

Part 1 - Introduction to Two-Stroke Software

Bimotion v 2.1 - Blair S.A.E. - Dynomation 2 - MOTA v 5.0 - TSR

Introduction To Two-Stroke Software

1989 Blaster Engine Rebuild

Introduction To 2 Stroke Software - My Initial Impressions

I'm not going to beat around the bush - designing engine parameters from software is not for everyone. It is not easy, quick or fun. I've scratched my head and pulled out enough hair that I should take stock out in Rogain. What makes this project worthwhile is that it can be done very well using this method. Let me stress the operative words here "VERY WELL." I am learning so much about 2 stroke software (and engines) that it seems it will be impossible to even begin to cover what can be done using it. I want to make it clear that I am by no means an expert at using this kind of software - so it probably takes me a little longer to finish the designs than it would if I spent several hours a day doing this kind of work. I don't consider this a problem, I consider it an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of each software package. It allows me to spend more time within each program and lets me stretch the limits of the software. It seems necessary that more than a basic understanding of the principles of the 2 stroke engine is necessary in order to accomplish engine design. The person who wants to learn this stuff will spend some time reading books from Blair and others. I would consider Blairs Design & Simulation of Two-Stroke Engines a good book to have close by for reference.

The hardest part of this project has proved to be getting everything involved together at the same time so comprehensive data can be compiled. Though there are other areas of the engine I could write about I have a set plan as to how I want this piece to read so please bear with me as the companies involved supply the needed items. Since some of the manufacturers are in the UK and Australia it is taking a little more time than I thought to receive the evaluation software. Though it was my intention to produce this article within 30 days from when I contacted everyone about this project (5-23-99) it now seems clear that this will have to be extended a bit to accommodate everyone's needs. I have received (or it is on its way) software from the following sources for evaluation. It may be interesting to note that one of the sources (MWD & Associates) supplied software which is most appropriate for use when tuning model aircraft engines - burning nitro - after all they are 2 strokes. As it turns out there is some competition in that area too as I soon realized that another manufacturer (TSR) also provided software for this application. I will write specific sidebar articles about these programs. In time I may perform some modifications to the only nitro burning vehicle I have (it's actually my sons), a boat which is driven by an airplane prop. It is food for thought.

In the following section I share my first impression experiences using each software package I have for evaluation - listed in alphabetical order. I will outline each software program using as much detail as possible in subsequent reports.

Bimotion - Version 1.7 - Copyright Billy Alvarsson (Sweden). Updated received - 7/31/99 (Version 2.1)

Billy Alvarsson

Rydsv. 312 B

584 39 Linkoping

SWEDEN

Tel: +46(0)13 171745

email - bilal270@student.liu.se

Web Address - http://www.knuten.liu.se/~bilal270/index2.html or Click Here for home page and purchasing information.

Programs - bimzip.ZIP, BimBlairExpCalc.xls (Excel spreadsheet - Bimotion-Blair racing pipe ).

These programs allow design of the following:

•TIME-AREA (Targets)

•INTAKE PORT (Piston controlled)

•SCAVENGING PORTS

•EXHAUST PORT

•EXPANSION CHAMBER (Multi-stage with sheet development on cones)

•COMPRESSION RATIO

•PISTON LOAD and CRANK ROD STRESS

•AIR RESISTANCE and GEARING

•YAMAHA ENERGY INDUCTION SYSTEM (Y.E.I.S)

This software package was received electronically. It was easily installed on my virtual PC which uses Windoz 95 as its operating system. It will also install on earlier versions of the Windoz OS which would include version 3.1. Its main interface is DOS and it is menu driven. If your machine only uses DOS only you will be fine. Though I'm no expert with DOS I understand that much earlier versions of it would be enough to run this software piece - exactly how much earlier is not specified. It is written using mostly the metric system for data input. The total time it took me to install the program and get it up and running was less than 5 minutes. The program is password protected easy to use and easy to read.

Bimotion comes with an 18 page electronic manual and includes instructions for installing the software. I printed it out for easy reference. The manual explains some fundamentals such as how to work with time area targets (TA), piston controlled intake engines and how to determine piston parameters such as the height and width and distance from the crown to the top of the wrist pin hole. It includes information about the transfer ports. Within the transfer port section is additional information about how to enter port shape data. Bimotion calls this the port height shape factor (HSF). There is a section on expansion chambers. It includes information which describes the different parts of the tuned pipe including its header, diffuser sections, its belly, baffle and stinger. For the pipe manufacturing it explains how to transfer the data generated onto paper templates or sheet metal. It uses terms like Chord length and Radius 1 & 2 for pattern making. There is information about compression, the compression ratio and the piston-connecting rod load and acceleration. This allows for new calculations based upon lightening the piston and determining a new peak operating RPM. There is also information about gearing, rolling and air resistance. At the end of the manual is a section on the Y.E.I.S. (Yamaha boost bottle).

This manual describes the fundamentals of data entry - what the programs need in order to output useful information. The manual does not attempt to teach you about 2 stroke engines. It is assumed that the user knows enough about 2 stroke engines to understand engine design parameters.

Upon receipt of the software Mr. Alvarsson informed me that he is very willing to answer any and all questions I might come across using email. Correspondence this way has been flawless to so far. Bimotion resides in Sweden so phone calls there might get a little pricey - from the US that is. I would consider email answers well within the range of acceptable performance from a software manufacturer.

Update 7/6/99 - I received an update version of this software today via an email attachment - its version number is 1.8. Mr. Alvarsson informed me that I am the first person to receive the updated version. If you are the owner of an earlier version of the Bimotion software you should be receiving the new version very shortly. Mr. Alvarsson also informed me that he sends out free updates to Bimotion software programs to its owners. Once again I'm lucky enough to get the first look at a new version of a two-stroke software release for product review.

The update included 2 files. The tuning.bas file which replaces the original file of the same name and an updated version of the instruction manual which is distributed as a Word document. It took about the same time to type this sentence as it takes to replace the files which in effect, installs the update. I noticed the new version of the program shows a few visual changes within its interface. Nothing dramatic, but I did notice it had been improved - perhaps "refined" would be a better word to use to describe the change. The interface is still simple and straight forward. The instruction manual has been thoroughly overhauled. Though it's still about the same length as the version that ships with the earlier version it is much easier to follow since it uses actaul diagrams that look as though they have been cut from the actual program screen and pasted into the revised booklet. This improvement allowed me to more easily understand the Bimotion programs and what they look like on the screen.

Update 8/7/99 - I feel a little bit like I'm repeating myself but I just received a new update (7/31/99) to the Bimotion Software. This takes the version number all the way up to 2.1. This new version includes squish velocity calculations. I'll add information about this specific update in the near future. Mr. Alvarsson informed me that the 1.8 version never made it out for distribution. Instead a much more aggressive update was planned and included with this newest version release which was released to the public.

Design & Simulation of Two Stroke Engines - Gordon. P. Blair, Copyright Society of Automotive Engineers (USA) ISBN 1-56091-685-0

Published by: Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc

400 CommonWealth Drive

Warrendale, PA 15096-0001

Phone - (412) 776-4841

Fax - (412) 776-5760

Support may be obtained by using the following fax number which is monitored by Prof. G. P. Blair - Dial from within the United Kingdom, fax. no. 01232-370372. Dial from all other countries, including the USA, fax. no. 44-1232-370372.

Click Here for home page and purchasing information.

Programs - 1.1- Piston Position, 1.2 - Loop Engine Draw, 1.3 QUB Cross Engine Draw, 1.4 - Exhaust Gas Analysis, 2.1 - Wave Flow, 2.2 - Superposition, 2.3 - Friction & Heat Transfer, 2.4 - Inflow & Outflow, 2.5 - Three-Way Branch, 3.1 - Benson-Brandham Model, 3.3a - GPB Cross Ports, 3.3b - QUB Cross Ports, 3.4 Loop Scavenge Design, 3.5 - Blown Ports, 4.1 - Squish Velocity, 4.2 - Hemi-Sphere Chamber, 4.3 - Hemi-Flat Chamber, 4.4 - Bathtub Chamber, 4.5 - Total Offset Chamber, 4.6 - Bowl In Piston, 4.7 - QUB Deflector, 6.1 - Time Area Targets, 6.2v2 - Expansion Chamber, 6.3 - Time-Areas, 6.4 - Reed Valve Design, 6.5 - Disc Valve Design, 8.1 - Diffusing Silencer, 8.2 - Side-Resonant Silencer.

Simulations associated with chapter 5 are not included with this book/software set. This would include piston ported, spark ignited industrial engine and reed valve, spark-ignition engine with expansion chamber exhaust. They are available separately, however it looks as though they will not be evaluated as part of this report. If they do arrive I'll detail this software with a complete examination.

This software comes as a companion to the book Design and Simulation of Two-Stroke Engines written by G.P. Blair. It is distributed on 2 high density diskettes. I installed this DOS based software on my Windoz 95 machine after thumbing through a very short installation manual. The manual states that the software will install on Windoz 3.x thru Windoz 98 and machines using only DOS as the interface. It required inserting the diskette labeled "disk 1", and a simple double click to get things started. The installer asks for the users name & company (if applicable). It took a couple of minutes for the data to transfer from the floppy to the hard drive before it asked for disk two. There is less data on the second disk so it didn't take as long to unload its data. The whole process took about 12 minutes. There installation text is also available to read electronically after the programs are installed.

It is stated that any and all support questions and/or problems associated with the use of the software be given directly to Professor G.P.Blair by faxing them to the provided number. The accompanying text asks you to provide your own fax number or address for a response, the serial number of the software diskette (mine had none), the program number which is displaying problems, the exact nature of the problem, the computer model and the printer used with the computer. It further states that if you do not comply precisely to the outline for submitting problems, you will not get a response. In addition it is stated that during periods of holiday responses could be as long as a month - this would include the summer months, June through September.

The user manual to this software is the book Design and Simulation of Two-Stroke Engines which is 623 pages in length. This book is not a beginners manual for learning 2 stroke engines - it is more of a study of the intricacies of these type of engines. Though it starts out by telling the basics of 2 stroke spark ignited engines, it quickly gets deep into the processes needed to define engine parameters using mathematical formulas. Professor Blair has spent a great deal of time discovering, defining and determining boundaries to use when designing engines. The content of the book is very math intensive and would prove to be very difficult reading for all but the most highly interested individuals - I say "highly interested" but what I mean is "engineers" or those who have no difficulty reading this type of material. For those who have not spent much time inside SAE books or other highly technical literature this book may be too much-too fast. It may be necessary for some readers to do a tremendous amount of research in order to understand all the units of measure, terminology and other nomenclature used within its pages. Blair does not assume the reader to be a "newbie" 2 stroker so it is easy to say that he provides ample information for those "in the know" to easily proceed and use the books opening pages to decode the rest of the book. It may be easier to understand the text when the appropriate software program is running along with the chapter it pertains to.

Recently when describing this book to an online friend I wrote "I have wondered if Blair asks for a glass of H2O when he is thirsty..." My friend replied with " I'll bet Blair does not drink water without calculating the exact arm angle (theta) with respect to the glass normal (phi) as it relates to the density of his lips (p). Then he would need to properly scavenge the H2O across the pallet to the esophagus without losing too much liquid on the tongue. Then, as he says "Boo" (remember that from chapter 2) raising his lung pressure above the atm pressure he would exhaust the liquid into the air at the speed of water and measure the propagation delay when it hits the sink. Therefore; in reality, never taking a drink of the H2O and expelling vital lung energy - and saving water at the same time! Whew!... I am horrible but I could not resist." Perhaps you can get an idea from his explanation - it hits the nail, firmly, directly and completely on the head.

Having said that, it is also necessary to say that this book could be considered the Bible for serious 2 stroke engine builders. It might be safe to say that all modern 2 stroke development stems or stemmed from this mans work either directly or indirectly. He has determined through scientific discovery many specific boundaries which are used to design today's modern engines. He has taken theories and principles and devised ways to prove them, then uses the outcome as baseline data which is used as reference. It is hard to argue with his test methods, procedures or ability to perform them. He is known to compute as accurately as can be measured and measure with all means possible. He will invent new means to perform tests when there are no current test apparatus available. He has designed and tested what must be hundreds (if not thousands) of different engine design parameters. This book accurately describes what he is doing and why he is doing it. It stirs up interest and enthusiasm. It contains hard data and presents it in a fashion which invites further investigation. It provides a "I wonder if" or "I wonder what would happen when" path for the dullest, smallest, most insecure untested theory that is lurking deep within the readers mind. It provides a reason to test theories and shows that tests can pay off.

Dynomation 2 - Two Cycle Wave Action Simulator - Copyright V.P. Engineering Inc. & Audie Technology Inc. (USA)

5261 NW 114th St. Suite E

Grimes, IA 50111-2200

Phone - 515-986-9197

Fax - 515-986-9130

Click Here for home page and purchasing information.

This software is classified as a two cycle wave action simulator - it will visually display the wave activity of a running two-stroke engine. It took a little longer than I anticipated to receive a copy of Dynomation 2 for this article but part of the delay was on my end - I took a long vacation a day or two after it arrived. Rather than trying to hurry and post a review I decided to take the time to read the manual and evaluate the program when I had the time to properly dedicate to it. It became clear to me after thumbing through the manual that it would take my full attention while operating the software to do the program justice. There is a large section of the manual which explains the functions of the program file systems, the F keys and other keyboard combinations. Additionally, there is a separate quick start card which outlines installation on one side and the function of the F keys and such on the other. There are a lot of shortcut keys with Dynomation 2 - I can remember thinking the card will come in handy when trying to familiarize myself with the program. I noticed a paragraph addressing squish velocity - Dynomation 2 does not calculate this parameter, but its creators know that it is an important design feature so they steer the user to the SAE for Blair's software and/or Tom E. Turners Two Stroke Racing for his squish velocity program. I might add that Bimotion now has a squish velocity program which has just been released with its new 2.1 release version.

Dynomation 2 is supplied on a single high density diskette and requires the supplied dongle which is attached to the printer port in order to be able to use the program. The minimum requirement for running this program is a Pentium computer with at least 16 megs of RAM, a disk drive and DOS 3.3 or later. I tested this software on a HP Pavilion 6460 computer which uses a Celeron processor humming along at 400 MHz. It was running Windoz 98 as the operating system. The software installed quickly and easily when following the concise but brief instructions. The data was transferred to my hard drive in a couple of minutes. Technical support is available through email, phone or fax using the numbers listed above.

To be able to run the simulation it is necessary to enter a very tightly focused array of engine parameters which are clearly outlined and explained in the nicely designed 72 page loose leaf binder which serves as the instruction manual for operating the program. The data is as common as the engine's bore and stroke but it dives in deeper when it asks for things like the total inlet track length, the crankcase compression ratio and the scavenging efficiency. There are specific easy to understand guidelines to follow when entering the scavenging data and inlet track length. It is stated that the BSFC (brake specific fuel consumption) may be the single most important piece of data for a realistic and reliable simulation so there is detailed advise about how to understand and interpret this function. There are some pages dedicated to gas flow theory and some words about acoustic waves and their relationship to finite amplitude waves. The text is clearly written, explained well and seems to cover more ground than it contains. The last 10 pages contain information about connecting rods. V.P. Engineering has an interest in the Hot Rods brand of replacement connecting rods and spends a few of its pages explaining the elastic tendencies of these important pieces. I found it to be interesting and entertaining reading.

MOTA - V 5.0 - Copyright IWT Racing (Australia)

PO Box 633

Plympton SA 5038, Australia

Inquires or requests for technical assistance may be directed by fax within Australia: 08 82936933. From overseas: 61 8 82936933

or by email to iwt@ozemail.com.au

Web Address is http://www.iwt.com.au/~itw or Click Here for home page and purchasing information.

The areas covered within the program - Basic Engine Dimensions, Engine Configuration, Fuel and Scavenging Details, Ignition and Combustion Details, Preliminary Piston Port Details, Piston Port Dimensions, Piston Port Ordinates, Inlet Rotary Valve Details, Inlet Reed Valve Details, Inlet and Exhaust Duct Dimensions, Transfer Duct Dimensions, Expansion Chamber Dimensions, Simulation Run Details, Dimensioning Utilities.

Running The Simulator, Displaying Output Graphics, Performance Curves, Dynamic Wave Displays, Cylinder-Exhaust Pressure Difference, Induction Reed Valve Petal Lift, Scavenge Ratio, Delivery Ratios, Box Characteristics, Duct Characteristics, Simulation Parameters, Engine Geometry, Fuel Parameters, Combustion Parameters, Ambient temperature and Pressure, Piston Port Dimensions, Piston Port Profile Details, Piston Port Timing Details, Rotary Valve Port data, Reed Port Data, Duct Dimensions, Engine Performance Indicators, Engine Performance Comparator, Expansion Chamber Cone Construction.

IWT was enthusiastic about participating in this software review and asked that I wait a short time so the instruction manual to the new version of MOTA could be printed and shipped along with the MOTA v 5.0 software. I was thrilled to be at the top of the list for shipment - and anxiously complied. When IWT had the text to the manual completed it was mailed to me electronically so I could start to become familiar with its terms and language. I considered it a bonus to be able to have it early. That way I could read it and be ready for the software when it arrived.

This new version of MOTA arrived this past week. It comes on a single CD and is packaged with a very well written 46 page users manual. There are also installation instructions printed on the CD sleeve as well as being printed directly on the CD itself. The manual describes installation to require a minimum 120 MHz Pentium machine with at least 16 megs of RAM, a CD player and Windoz 3.x, 95 or 98 may be used as the operating system. It specifies that it runs under DOS versions up to v 7.0 and runs best in this environment. Windoz NT is not supported.

I was able to follow the instructions and install the software very easily in a matter of a few minutes - about 9. This software ships with a serial number and a dongle. A dongle is a small devise which is plugged into a computers port, in this case it is the printer port to allow the software to function properly. The dongle is coded in such a way as to only recognize the software program containing the serial number of the corresponding software it was designed to match. This is one way software manufacturers can prevent unauthorized copying and/or distribution of their software. Since I am running all of these 2 stroke software programs on a Virtual PC (a Macintosh emulating a PC environment), I had no place to mount the dongle devise. I tried unsuccessfully to run the software - I could only get as far as the menu page. It would not let me into the programs. Obviously this is a not a problem associated with MOTA since it clearly states in the manual that the software will not run on any Macintosh machine. A friend loaned me an IBM clone with a clock speed of 350 MHz. It had the necessary port to accept the dongle. However upon installation it still would not run. I searched the manual for clues. Though I could not get the programs to run I was able to get inside the "read me" files to access some excellent additional electronic help information. I tried everything I could to get the programs up and running without success. I would wait until morning and email IWT for further instructions.

To my surprise when I opened my mailbox the next morning there was a letter from Mr. Ian Williams of IWT. In the letter he outlined the problem I was having and the reason I was having it. Apparently MOTA will not run on computers faster than 233 MHz because of a bug in the Borland brand Pascal compiler that was used. This compiler has been used successfully for many years though it has not been until recently that computers have had the ability to go faster than a 233 MHz ceiling so this now became an issue. Mr. Williams assured me that IWT has obtained a fix to correct the computer code. He asked that I submit my serial number so that he could mail me a version of the software which will run on the faster computer. I responded appropriately to his request and I now await a revised version. In the mean time I will seek a slower computer (I was told the programs work flawlessly on machines of 233 MHz or slower) to be able to get some experience running the program - if I am unable to find one the delay will not be very long.

I doubt that anyone who purchases this software from IWT will encounter the 233 MHz problem since the manufacturer found it so early. I looked at this experience as one which lets me know the level of evolvement and commitment to resolving problems IWT provides when a problem arises out of the use of their product. Judging by this unexpected experience I would have to say that there could not have been a more perfectly timed event. The answer was given before I asked the question. The solution was available before I described the symptoms. My impression is that IWT cares a lot about MOTA and the experience the user gets from its use.

Update - 8/7/99 - The updated MOTA 5.0 CD arrived a few days before I was heading out of town for a family vacation. With things as hectic as they were I decided to wait until I returned in order to devote what ever time was necessary to run the program. The new CD was coded to match the dongle which shipped with the original CD. I was able to install MOTA on a 400 MHz HP Pavilion 6460 computer which was running Windoz 98 for the operating system. Installation was a snap and there were no hidden surprises. I kept the operation manual close by for quick reference. I would refer to it often when prompted for a data entry I was not clear about. The compact manual covers the programs data entry well and it's lay out is logical and natural.

MOTA is different enough in its function that its maker describes it as a two-stroke engine dyno and more specifically an engine simulator. This type of program allows engine parameters to be entered to simulate a working example, then run as though it were put together and burning fuel. As individual parameters are changed the affects can be noted when running the simulation again to compare its output data to the original. With this software up and running I'm enthusiastic about running the data I have through it.

MWD & Associates - Engine Analysis Software (Remote control vehicle software - description taken from manual).

Web Address http://www.rcboat.com/ or Click Here for home page and purchasing information.

Programs - engine.zip (Microsoft Excel Format), enginedoc.zip (Microsoft Word Format), exhport.zip (Microsoft Excel Format)

These programs allow design of the following engine sizes:

.21, .45, .67, .80 - .90

Included in this package is a series of formulas which are integrated into a complete engine analysis package. The package is designed to operate within the Windows/Excel environment. The pipe Design Program is now also integrated into this software package.

When I get the opportunity I intend to compare this program to the RaceHead program supplied by Tom Turners TSR Racing. I thought I could use it to design the engine of my sons boat but it turns out the engine in the boat is quite a bit smaller than what's outlined above (it's .11). To do justice to the makers of the software I will do my best to review it the best I can.

Tom E. Turners Two-Stroke Racing - Copyright TSR Software (USA)

PO Box 0238

Bellflower, Ca. 90707-0238

Support is available either by phone (562) 804-2530 or Fax (562) 804-3692. Support via email can be directed to: teturner@tsrsoftware.com Fax orders may be called into the (800) 426-7953 number.

Web Address http://www.tsrsoftware.com or Click Here for home page and purchasing information.

Programs - Chek_Vol, Compress, DegreeIt, Eng_Draw, HeadVol1, HeadVol2, HeadVol3, IntArea, Layout, Newpipe, Port2000, ReedValve, Rotary, Squish, Scrncone, TaTarget, Velocity, Racehead, HemiFlat, Tub-Head, Rotary-2, Mikunijt, Keihenjt, Maxspeed, Degwheel, IntakeTm, Conevol, Boostbtl, Gearcheck.

The TSR programs may be better understood if their file name is explained in further detail. Check Volume - to calculate the compression ratio, shows final static compression. Compress - take a look at the effects of compression upon power output. Degree It - determine crank angle and height in millimeters from TDC as well as piston acceleration at a given rpm. Engine Draw - design changes visually represented. Head Volume 1 - used to design a modern head using the squish radius. Head Volume 2 - used to design a modern head using the squish angle. Head Volume 3 - used to design a modern bathtub design head. Hemi Flat - used to design combustion chambers that have a flat top piston. Tub Head - used to design a modern round bathtub design head. Squish - used to design combustion chambers with optimum squish velocity. Layout , Newpipe, Screen Cone, Cone Volume & Velocity are all tuned exhaust pipe programs which are used together. Port2000, Intake Area, TaTarget are port timing programs which are used together. Reed Valve - used to determine the appropriate reed valve. Rotary & Rotary 2 - rotary inlet valve design programs. Mikuni Jet & Keihin Jet - used to help determine carburetor jetting from known settings. Maxspeed - calculate aerodynamic drag. Degree Wheel - a visual degree wheel. Intake Tm - piston port timing design tool. Boost Bottle - design a boost bottle. Gear Check - determine appropriate gear changes.

This software is supplied on 4 high density diskettes. The installation manual consists of an 18 page booklet that offers a no-frills approach to putting this software where it needs to be. The easy to read text describes in detail how to install the DOS software depending on the operating system version your computer is running. There are separate simple to understand pages dedicated to the installation process whether you're using DOS, Win 95-98 or Win 3.0-3.11. I followed the Windoz 95 instructions, inserted the first disk and let the installer do its thing. I was prompted to insert another disk when the current disk was through transferring its data. The process took 18 minutes to complete.

Also supplied with the software is a loose-leaf binder with numerous computer printed pages inside. Most of them have been covered with plastic sleeves to protect them. These pages cover topics about how to understand torque and horsepower, BMEP, how to record engine data for entry as input data into the software programs and how to read a spark plug. Some of the pages are dedicated to explaining what the terminology used within the software program describes while other pages show port and port tunnel shapes in order to detail specific power characteristics of the use of them. There is information about the best way to correctly enter port shapes for the most accurate output and instructions to properly measure engine parameters to begin with. A few pages are dedicated to information about the design and manufacture of tuned exhaust pipes. It includes information about how to use the output data from the Layout program to make a pipe. Included is a temperature conversion chart, a RAD chart and a few pages with drag coefficients of popular vehicles. There is information about carburetor selection and jetting and the proper design and placement of a boost bottle. In addition to this, several reprinted magazine articles that were written by Gordon Jennings, Kevin Cameron, George Grabowski, Eric Gorr and a couple of others are included. These articles act as support for the software and provide good reading. TSR provides a logical example of the steps needed to follow during the design process to arrive at the final goal of the finished engine.

Technical support for the software is thought to be inside the programs or the printed text that accompanies it. Telephone numbers, including a fax number is given should the need to call arise. There is also help available by email. It has been my experience that the email option offers a wonderful approach in that it allows the user to carefully write down the question including as much detail as possible and it allows TSR to carefully and completely answer the question without feeling rushed or forgetting something. When I emailed TSR about a unit of measurement that I didn't understand he immediately wrote me back stating its nature, use, purpose and where I could find additional information about it (Blair's book). He also wrote that he was meaning to change the unit of measurement within that section of the program to comply with the more standard unit within the rest of the program, so he proceeded to send me as a file attachment an updated version with the correction made. Since then he has updated and sent me 3 more programs with the unit corrections made. Installing updates is as easy as replacing the old file with the new file of the same name. It is refreshing to find a problem, tell the programmer/company owner about it and have it corrected and waiting in my mailbox in very short period of time.

Within each software program is additional in depth information to help with the design of the part of the engine being worked on. There is a lot of general information, some interesting lesser known facts and one or two "can't live without" tidbits. In addition to these help files there are many sample files included with most of the programs which show output data generated and saved as sort of a bench mark to judge against. It is unclear to me whether these files are actual working examples or just design exercises, however the data is relevant and helpful if for nothing else it is well done and can be thought of as sort of a guide line to follow.

Update 7-6-99 - Since the time I wrote that last paragraph I can now update the information because I received word from Mr. Turner about this specific topic. He informed me that all of the data files included in his software programs are based on real TSR engines as designed by numerous two-stroke engine building companies with the exception of a demonstration 100 enduro file that's still in the database.

Two-Stroke Software Review

Part 1 - Introduction to Two-Stroke Software

Bimotion v 2.1 - Blair S.A.E. - Dynomation 2 - MOTA v 5.0 - TSR

1989 Blaster Engine Rebuild

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