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We will use this section to provide you with some artificial intelligence (AI) derived performance info.

Artificial Intelligence is quite useful but only for specific things. AI is good at identifying patterns in complicated and/or "noisy" data, AI is good at matching patterns in complex data sets and AI is also good for modeling complex systems.

For our first example, we thought that determining a pattern out of complex data would be a good test. Our "Observation" is that "Conventional Wisdom", (who this week is being played by a potato [thank you Mallard Fillmore, the BEST political cartoon]) has for years stated that INTAKE VALVE CLOSING is the most important valve event.

Our hypothesis is that other factors can be more important depending on what results you are trying to achieve.

Early vertical twin Triumphs are a good engine to test this hypothesis. The intake and exhaust lobes are on separate cams, the timing gears have 51 teeth per gear for a possible adjustment of 7.059º per tooth and there are three keyways per cam gear with a 5º offset each. This equates to the possibility of timing within 2.059º.

Our methodolgy is as follows:

        Intake Valve Opening and Closing:           +/- 7º and 14º
        Exhaust Valve Opening and Closing:          +/- 7º and 14º
        Intake Valve Lift:      +/- .005 and .010
        Exhaust Valve Lift:     +/- .005 and .010
        Intake Valve Diameter:  +/- .005 and .010
        Exhaust Valve Diameter: +/- .005 and .010
    

This resulted in 25 separate data sets, all the above plus a base run. We then ran the above specifications through an engine simulation program to develop torque and horsepower figures at various RPM. Each change was done individually, only one change at a time, so as not to obscure the results. The RPM range for each test was 2000 RPM to 8000 RPM. We wanted to test for peak torque and peak horsepower.

The output of the simulation program showed torque values of 30 lbs/ft minimum and 43 lbs/ft maximum. Next the results were run through the AI pattern recognition program. The interesting result here was that the most direct path to the maximum torque was based on Exhaust Valve Opening Degrees.

The complete list, in order of importance, for maximum torque values was: Exhaust Valve Opening, Intake Valve Opening, Intake Valve Diameter, Intake Valve Lift, Exhaust Valve Lift and Exhaust Valve Diameter.

On the horsepower side, the range was from 32 to 49. The "shortest path" to find the maximum horsepower was via the Intake Valve Opening Degrees.

The complete list, in order of importance, for maximum horsepower values was: Intake Valve Opening, Intake Valve Diameter, Exhaust Valve Opening, Intake Valve Lift, Exhaust Valve Lift and Exhaust Valve Diameter.

Next, we will pursue a method of testing this lastest hypothesis. Please tune in later.

We have discovered that this investigation is going to be more involved than anticipated. We have therefore moved this particular section to a blog at Keller Racing at Blogger.com.