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    Producing Quality Computer Tools for Racers and Engine Builders since 1986

 

 

 

 

 

 

The table below shows a comparison of the major features between our 3 suspension analysis programs.

for Demo Movie File talking about differences between Roll Center Calc. (std and Plus) and Circle Track Analyzer

for Demo Movie Files on many more products

  for a FAQ about picking which program you should get. 

Feature Roll Center Calculator, Std and Plus version Circle Track Analyzer, Std and Plus version (Plus is new in v4.0) Suspension Analyzer
Front Roll Center position and movement, Front Camber and Camber Gain through dive and roll Yes, in flat 2D Only Yes, in flat 2D Only Yes, in more accurate 3D
Front Wheel Rates determined from Spring Rate and geometry Yes, in flat 2D Only Yes, in flat 2D Only Yes, in more accurate 3D
Front Sway (anti roll) bar Yes Yes Yes
Front Spring Types Coils (and torsion bar for double A arm only) on lower arm only Coils (and torsion bar for double A arm only) on lower arm only Coils on lower arm only in Basic Version. Full Vehicle version adds torsion bar, coils on upper arm, pull rod, push rod, rocker arm.
Allow you to shim the upper A arms to see affect on geometry Yes, but A arm is simplified to just one attachment point on frame Yes, but A arm is simplified to just one attachment point on frame Yes, and A arm has a front and rear attachment point, so caster can be changed also
Does Double A Arm and McPhearson Strut Yes, and straight axle, front only Yes, and straight axle, front only Yes, and straight axle, front (and rear also with Full Vehicle Version)
Does Rear Suspensions Plus Version Only does simplified truck or trailing arms (panhard bar, J bar or "Jacobs Ladder"), simplified leafs, simplified 4 Link, and symmetric 4 Link Yes, does simplified truck or trailing arms (panhard bar, J bar or "Jacobs Ladder"), simplified leafs, simplified 4 Link, and symmetric 4 Link Yes, does detailed double A Arm, McPhearson Strut, 3 link, 4 link, 4 link with lateral locator, truck arms, trailing arms (Ladder bar), Gen III Corvette, IRS "H" arm, leaf springs.  Most solid axle suspensions have the option of a panhard bar or Watts Link for preventing lateral movement, including leaf springs.  Full Vehicle Version ONLY
Rear Roll Center position and movement Plus Version Only does in simplified 2D, but not in movement. Yes, in simplified 2D, but not in movement. Yes, in more accurate 3D. Full Vehicle Version ONLY
Rear Sway (anti roll) bar Yes in Plus Version Only Yes Yes. Full Vehicle Version ONLY
Rear Spring Types Plus Version Only does simple coils, some torsion bars, leafs Simple coils, some torsion bars, leafs Coils, some torsion bars, leafs in detailed 3D, and with separate dimensions for left and right side.  Full Vehicle Version ONLY
Front Wheel Drive Rear wheel drive only Rear wheel drive only Rear, front or all wheel drive.
Bump Springs or rubbers Yes Yes Yes
Ride Heights Yes, you can specify where ride heights are measured and watch how they move with suspension movement. Yes, you can specify where ride heights are measured and watch how they move with suspension movement. Yes, you can specify where ride heights are measured and watch how they move with suspension movement.
Steering mechanisms No No Yes, 4 types of steering systems
Type of motion you can set Dive and Roll, front end only, and rear squat  to see effect on front end geometry and ride height Dive and Roll, front end only and rear squat  to see effect on front end geometry and ride height Dive, Roll, Steer and Pitch, front and rear suspension.  (No "setable" steer motion on rear suspension, although you will see "roll steer" as the suspension moves.)
Allows you to determine Front to Rear "Balance" of the car, and automatically find how much change in spring or roll bar rates, or roll center height to adjust Balance Plus Version Only does based on simplified inputs Yes, based on simplified inputs Yes, based on more accurate 3D inputs, and you can watch how this changes with dive, roll and pitch.   Full Vehicle Version ONLY
Estimates lap times, finds best gear ratio, simulates amount of front suspension dive and roll, and corner weights on track based on vehicle specs and track length and banking.  Shows animation of car's suspension and corner weights on the track, including friction circle. No Yes No
Lets you adjust Corner Weights by turning jacking screws, changing tire sizes or moving weight (ballast) in car. No Yes Yes
Suggests a "starting point" spring and roll bar rates, stagger, cross weight, etc. No Yes No
Front suspension Ackerman (from steering), caster, bump steer (toe gain), Anti Dive from dive, roll and steer. Anti-Dive Only Anti-Dive Only Yes
Allows entry of Shock Data and will calculate shock velocities and shock forces. No Yes Yes
Independent suspension half shaft movement from squat and roll. No No Yes
Rear suspension roll steer, anti-squat, pinion angle change, driveshaft movement from squat and roll. No No Yes, Full Vehicle Version ONLY
Automatically finds new settings for tie rods ends, total steering system, upper ball joints or upper A arm mounts to produce a desired bump steer, or roll center position or movement. No No Yes
Will Link with Circle Track Log Book No Yes No
Works in English or Metric units No No Yes
Reads other file formats No No Yes, can read Roll Center and Circle Track files, many types of Bill Mitchell files.  Data Logger version can input some Excel type files for suspension locations.
Produces user specified graphs and reports of suspension calculations (like camber vs dive and roll) Front Camber and Roll Center Only Front Camber and Roll Center Only.  In addition, will report and graph 24 different data types as simulated car goes around the track.  Plus Version does 52 data types. Will graph 22 different calculated outputs (toe, caster, camber, roll center, motion ratio, etc) vs dive, roll and/or steer
Include a picture .jpg file of the car or suspension Yes Yes Yes
Has emailing options No No Yes.  You may need Adobe Acrobat (tm) for some features.  May not work with all emailing systems.
Animate Feature:  Lets you specify up various amounts of dive, roll and/or steer and watch suspension go through this motion and see how all calculated output changes No No Yes
Will Link with Performance Trends Road Race/Circle Track data logger software No No Yes
Will Link with Performance Trends Shock Dyno software No Yes Yes
Data Logger Feature:  Import data logger data of shock and steer travel, engine RPM, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, etc and play it back so you can watch all suspension movement on the screen.  Track map also constructed (if you provide correct acceleration and distance data) so you can pin point what the suspension is doing at a particular spot on the track. No No Yes,  Full Vehicle Version with Data Logger Option ONLY.  Click here for more info.
 

10:26 AM 1/16/2009 sitemap