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    Producing Quality Computer Tools for Racers and Engine Builders since 1986

 

 

 

 

Re: Performance Trends Newsletter (updates)

To: Visitors to Performance Trends Website

Subject: Product News/Updates, Feb 2011

 

  1. Suspension Analyzer v2.4 Getting Close to Release
  2. New Cam Test Stand Accessories
  3. New Video from Trucks! on Power Block TV
  4. Engine Analyzer Pro v3.9 Updates
  5. Engine Analyzer v3.4 Updates
  6. Last December's Newsletter

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1)  Suspension Analyzer v2.4 Getting Close to Release  In our November 2010 newsletter we announced Suspension Analyzer v2.4 was coming.  Well, we've been working diligently to get the features refined, more example suspension files added, and the updates documented.  We're currently up to v2.4 A.009.  If you've purchased the v2.4, this is a free update as will be all updates to v2.4 for the next couple years or so.

Click on the blue link below for a PDF file with a complete explanation of all the programs new features:

Suspension-Analyzer-24-Supplement.gif (94719 bytes) (click on image to display just 1 page of PDF document)

   http://performancetrends.com/PDFs/Suspension-Analyzer-v2.4-Supplement.pdf (full PDF document)

Major new features include:

Added several new types of Rear Suspensions, including:
Torque Tube Live Axle
Torque Arm Live Axle
Trailing Arm and Semi Trailing Arm Independent
5 Link Independent
'Decoupled' Live Axle (bird cage)
Added 'Four Link' features. These features lets you enter all holes for all 4 link brackets and see all possible combinations, and how each combination will affect anti-squat and roll steer. 
Added 'Virtual Scales' features.  By clicking on the 'Adjust' drop down menu, you have a new choice of "Corner Weights (virtual scales)". This feature has 3 different methods of adjusting corner weights:
Turning 'Jacking Screws', which changes the preload on the suspension springs on the 4 corners of the vehicle and typically affects Cross Weight only.
Changing Tire Size, which changes the preload on the suspension springs on the 4 corners of the vehicle and typically affects Cross Weight only.
Changing Ballast, by adding weight to or removing weight from a certain location of the car, or by moving weight from it's current location to some new location.
Watts link pivot can now be mounted on either the axle or the frame of the car.
Program now highlights the appropriate cell in the spreadsheet when you click on a point in the layout drawing.
Added 'Bigger' Preference so you can select to make the layout drawing bigger for easier viewing.
Now all versions have the Ball Joint Wizard for more accurately calculating the location of the center of rotation of the ball joint. 

Four Link Screens
 4-Link-Picking-Anti-Squat-Roll-Steer.gif (43107 bytes) 4-Link-Data-Entry.gif (19526 bytes) 4-Link-Anti-Squat-Table.gif (19845 bytes) (click on images to enlarge)

Virtual Scales Screen
Corner-Weights-Virtual-Scales.gif (41720 bytes) (click on image to enlarge)

Ball Joint Wizard
Suspension Analyzer Ball Joint Wizard.gif (17362 bytes) (click on image to enlarge)

Click on the blue link below to download the demo for a 10 day trial period.  The demo installs to a different location than your old Suspension Analyzer, so don't worry about this download screwing up what you already have:

   http://performancetrends.com/programs/Suspension-Analyzer-v2.4-Installer.exe

If you already have a previous installation of the preliminary v2.4, NOTE:  This is not critical, but when asked, select to do a Refresh installation instead of a Complete (typical) installation.

As usual, we'll probably be doing some additional small refinements over the next months.  You will be able to download these for free if you buy the v2.4 update.  This update is FREE to anyone who purchased the Suspension Analyzer v2.0 in November 2010, but $75 to anyone owning v2.0 prior to this.  If you own v1.1, it is $100.  If this is a new purchase, the full retail price remains $249 for Basic, $399 for Full Vehicle (front and rear suspension), and $599 for Full Vehicle with Data Logger features.  Check the table below for a summary.

Note:  If anyone has example suspension files you are confident are accurate, we'd like to include them in this update.  If you have something you want to share with others, this could get you a discount toward this update.  We can also include your name, company name, email address, etc in the comments as the source.  This is some great, free advertising.

You own... Update/upgrade price to SA v2.4
Suspension Analyzer v2.0 (any), bought in Nov 2010 FREE
Suspension Analyzer v2.0 (full vehicle & data logger), bought prior to Nov 2010 $75
Suspension Analyzer v2.0 (basic), bought prior to Nov 2010 $50
Suspension Analyzer v1.1 (full vehicle & data logger) $100
Suspension Analyzer v1.1 (basic) $60
Basic Suspension Analyzer (v1.1/v2.0) to Full Vehicle v2.4 upgrade/update $175
Basic Suspension Analyzer (v1.1/v2.0) to Full Vehicle w Data Logger v2.4 upgrade/update $375
No Suspension Analyzer - Basic, a new purchase $249
No Suspension Analyzer - Full Vehicle, a new purchase $399
No Suspension Analyzer - Full Vehicle w Data Logger, a new purchase $599
4 Link Calculator, Circle Track Analyzer, Roll Center Calculator (any versions) $65 discount

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2)  New Cam Test Stand Accessories  In addition to Cam Analyzer software improvements, our Cam Test Stand hardware has been evolving over the years also.  Major changes include:

The lifter bore holders are now larger bore and indexed to the stand.  This allows for larger lifter bores and keeps everything parallel or perpendicular to the stand and the cam shaft axis.
The V Blocks are now smaller so the lifter bore and linear encoder can slide past them.
We're now offering a Universal Flat follower.  
It allows you to simulate most any flat tappet, from as small as the .842" diameter GM or smaller, up to the large 38mm (1.5") flat buckets of the OHC imports, even up to 2" (50 mm).  
The Universal Flat follower with the smaller V blocks lets you now measure the dowel pin or keyway location without our TDC bridge.  This allows for a more compact, less expensive and more universal way of measuring cam timing and/or flat tappet cams.

The part # CTS-UK is $325 and includes the indexed, larger lifter bore, lifter bore support, and smaller V blocks.

New Style V Block.jpg (44679 bytes)  click image to enlarge 

The part # CTS-UFH is $165 and includes the universal flat tappet and indexed/slotted lifter bore.

Univ Flat on Keyway Finding TDC.jpg (85290 bytes)  click image to enlarge

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3)  New Video from Trucks! on Power Block TV  Our Suspension Analyzer is used by many circle track and road racers for tuning their suspensions for handling.  However, we've got many off road truck builders using it also.   That's why we've got suspension travel limits now bumped up to +/- 20 inches of travel.

Trucks-Video.jpg (64185 bytes)

Well, Suspension Analyzer got some good press on the "how to" show Trucks! on Spike TV.  Click on the link below for a 20 min episode, which includes converting a Mazda B2500 back to a Ranger, frame stiffening tips, and more.  The Suspension Analyzer stuff (the good stuff) starts at about 8:30 into the clip.

 http://www.powerblocktv.com/video/?ep_num=TK2010-20&ep_show=TK

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4)  Engine Analyzer Pro v3.9 Updates  We recently released v3.9 A.038 of Engine Analyzer Pro.  A user had uncovered a "quirk" where a minute change in port length create a significant change in predicted performance.  We investigated and believed we had a fix.  However, another user with v3.9  A.038 discovered that our fix just moved the problem to a different range of port length changes.  So, we had to scratch our head and come up with a more robust, universal fix.  We believe we have done that, and released it as the current 3.9 A.042.

to download this latest version to update your existing v3.9 for FREE.  This is not critical, but when asked, select to do a Refresh installation instead of a Complete (typical) installation.

Note that this "bug" rarely affected users with typical Head and port specs, and it was also present in all previous versions of Engine Analyzer Pro.

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5)  Engine Analyzer v3.4 Updates  We recently added several Pontiac complete engine files (many with pics) and some Pontiac head and cam example components.  These were provided by Rocky Rotella, a Pontiac magazine writer, and author of an upcoming CarTech book on Pontiac engines.  The current version is Engine Analyzer v3.4 A.014 (for standard and Plus versions).

Engine-Analyzer-Pontiac-File.jpg (56850 bytes)

to download this latest version to update your existing v3.4 for FREE.  This is not critical, but when asked, select to do a Refresh installation instead of a Complete (typical) installation.

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6) Last November's Newsletter Here are the topics covered in our previous newsletter.  If you would like another copy of December 2010's newsletter for detail on these topics, visit our website at: http://www.performancetrends.com/news.htm#newsletters

  1. IMIS and PRI Trade Show Recap
  2. We've got Great Christmas Gift Ideas
  3. Tri-Mark Performance for Tractor Pulling and Much More
  4. Last November's Newsletter