CAE Tools for Car Performance Modifications?

RevHead asks: "Although after-market performance modification of cars is a discipline which claims a significant following all over the world, most of the information available on the topic tends to be more of anecdotal nature. To add to this and the plethora of conflicting information out there, most of the tips and techniques tend to be of 'do it and see if it works' type of experimentation. I am interested in the simulation approach prior to actual experimentation to get a decent picture of what to expect during the experimentation phase, which IMHO should be safer and more cost-effective. Has anyone resorted to this approach (successfully) when it comes to engine modification, suspension design, aerodynamic performance and emission control? If so what software is available for these tasks? Which are the most popular/most effective? Does anyone know of any public-domain automotive engine models available for CAE applications such as Catia and ADAMS?"

Comments

Re:sale modification

[NanoGator]

"Ah but you do gain knowledge reading a book while waiting for a bus, opposed to concentrating on driving."

You can read all you want, you don't gain experience by reading. Just information. You can read a book about how cars can be modified all day, it's nowhere near as useful as actually doing it. If it were that good, you could get a good paying job straight out of college.

"Getting the most out of your car" isn't going to be gas mileage, it's handling and speed." -- I didn't say mileage, I simply said the best. I didn't leave a word out. Some people tweak for mileage, some tweak for performance, some tweak just to figure out more about how it works.

"Embarrasing comments? I think he made a valid point. I'd reasses who made the silly comment." -- No he really didn't. If this had been a thread like "what kind of car should I buy?", then yes he'd have had a valid point. In this case, he went into a thread and said "you'd be better off not pursuing your interest and learning to live without it." Sorry, I don't see that as a valid point. When I challenged him on it, his response was basically that he didn't feel like explaining it to me. I think it's funny that you think I'm the troll because I challenged him. You should really look at his post and think about what a car afficiando (sp?) would think of that remark.

"Nor do I see how having a hobby or multiple hobbies prevents one from saying stupid stuff..." -- heh. Didn't take any time to brainstorm, didja?

Well, I won't get into the insulting comments I could have made, but I'll keep it to the point: If you have a hobby, then you know what it's like for somebody else to be fascinated with something. For example, I don't get Linux. I tried it, didn't like it. But when a story like 'Linux can play Sorenson videos', I don't jump in and say something stupid like "I have a better solution for you guys, use Windows."

That's basically what the parent poster did. He could have regained some respect from me if he had made a valid point. I don't think he had one, though. I think he just went karma whoring by saying the opposite of what other people were saying.

Of course, if he had provided a reasonable response, my attitude about that could potentially be different.

oh well. I have a tip for you though: A troll doesn't take the time to explain himself. Ponder that before you call me one again.