Engine Valve Spring Tester Electronics and Software Program for Spring Rate, Bind Height, etc.

[Company Logo Image] Performance Trends Inc

Producing Quality Computer Tools for Racers and Engine Builders since 1986

Valve Spring Tester v1.1 for Windows 98/Me/NT/XP/2000/Vista/Win 7

Computer Program, Electronics and Sensors to Measure Valve Spring Rates, Seated Force, Open Force, etc.

Manual USB Spring Tester Automatic USB Spring Tester
for specs on our valve spring testers.

Our Valve Spring Tester software works with our Black Box data logger or Power Technology's spring tester. ( for info on our Power Tech software upgrade.) It comes in 2 versions, a very easy Basic version, and a full featured Plus version. The screens below show the 2 versions.

Basic version of Software (very simple)

The Basic version shown above is just this screen. It lets you test springs one at a time and very accurately determine Seated Force and Open Force at spring lifts you enter, Spring Rate, Binding Height, and Bind Height Clearance, and Non-Linearity in percent.

Plus version of Software (all features)

The Plus version lets you record, save, analyze, compare, graph, report and print your results, saving you time and providing accurate and professional results. Results include:

	Spring Rate
	Force at Seated Spring Height
	Force at Open Height
	Height for a user defined spring force
	Bind Height
	Bind Height Clearance (between Open Height and Bind Height)
	Linearity (non-linearity) to see graphs illustrating this calculation.
	Damping to see graphs illustrating this calculation.
	Test Cycle Time, Test Open Rate, Test Closing Rate

Other screens from the Plus version are shown below.

The Valve Spring Tester can be ordered with either the Basic or Plus software. Basic versions can be easily upgraded to the Plus version for $100.

Other Plus features include:

	You can select if intake specs (like open height) should match exhaust specs.
	Program can determine open height from cam specs like Tappet Lift, Rocker Ratio, Lash, etc.
	Program can screen all results for up to 3 user defined limits, like if Spring Rate falls outside a range of 300 to 350 lbs/inch.
	You can search results (like a data base) for certain words in the comments, test date, Customer name, etc.
	Showing results for Spring Height (like measured with a ruler) or Spring Compression (measured from Seated Spring Height).
	Professional printouts of reports, which can even include your company's logo.
	Much more.

Here's a printed report from our Automatic Valve Spring Tester, showing its outstanding repeatability (highlighted in yellow). It also shows where your company logo can go, in the upper left corner.

to view the PDF file of this report with better detail and quality.

Here's a couple of calculations unique to Performance Trends' spring analysis: damping and non-linearity. These are illustrated in the graphs below.

Damping lets you rate the damping effect of dual and triple springs with dampers. The higher the internal damping in the spring (like a shock absorber), the more heat that is generated, but also the better chance of keeping the valve train under control by avoiding spring surge.

Non-Linearity lets you see if the springs are linear or not. Sometimes springs are designed to be non-linear, and now you can actually measure 'how much'.

Performance Trends Valve Spring Tester

Manual USB Spring Tester Automatic USB Spring Tester

Spring Tester Specs:

Manual Spring Tester:

	Spring Height measurement range: .65 to 3.00 inches (16.5 mm to 76.2 mm) *
	Force Range: 0 to 1000 lbs (0 to 450 Kg) *

Automatic Spring Tester (New Dec 2006):

	Spring Height measurement range: .25 to 4.00 inches (16.5 mm to 101.6 mm) Greater heights and .000 minimum height are optional.
	Force Range: 0 to 1000 lbs standard (0 - 450 Kg) with 90 psi air pressure (1800 lbs force can be generated with 150 psi air pressure and measured with optional 2000 lb load cell) *

* We have a special load cell mount which can provide for springs up to at least 3.30" height, part # SPV-L3+ Depending on the tolerance of the actual press, this could be 3.40 inches or more.

** Higher ranges of 1500, 2000 and 2500 lbs are available, part # SPV-LCNS . The Manual Tester needs to be bolted securely to a bench top for testing high rate springs. The Automatic Tester does not need to be bolted down, but does require shop air pressure, 90-150 psi.

*** Special 0-250 lb and 0-500 lb range testers are available (part # SPV-LCNS) for lighter duty springs for the same price. As these are more sensitive instruments, you must be careful not to over-range these testers.

Power Tech Software Upgrade Kit:

Our software can be added to a Power Tech spring tester using our USB interface. for details.

Valve Spring Tester, Complete Kit:

We offer a kit where you can build your own spring tester. The Valve Spring Tester, Complete Kit (part # SPV11C-STK) with calibrated Load cell and 3" length sensor. This includes EVERYTHING except the press. This kit only makes sense if you live overseas and want to avoid the expensive shipping (which can be as high as $400 or more) for the heavy 55 lb (22 Kg) complete test stand. Shipping for just this kit can be as low as $70.

click image to enlarge it

What You Need:

Computer with Windows 98, Me, XP, 2000, NT, Vista, Windows 7. The Automatic Valve Spring Tester also requires 150 PSI clean shop air. Less pressure is adequate if you are doing lower rate springs.

What You Get:

Program CD with user manual in PDF format on the CD. Example test files preloaded in the Example library for you to start with. Tester includes tester shown above, cable to connect to computer's USB port (which is what powers the electronics), factory calibration and "quick start" sheets. User manual is on the CD as PDF file.

More Information, Download Demo:

to go to our Demo Downloading page to download a FREE Valve Spring Tester Demo.

for prices.

for User's Manual.

for customer feedback.

To Order:

Call 248-473-9230. Visa, MC, Am Exp, Discover.