Some MX5 performance web apps
Discussion
I am one of those strange individuals that can entertain myself purely with numbers and a spreadsheet, and over the last couple of years I've built up a nice little library of vehicle dynamics spreadsheets which I am now converting into web apps so that people can use them.
They're not designed for the complete n00b, however I've tried to create them so that anyone with a basic understanding can glean some useful information from them.
I've got a couple made up so far which have been written specifically for MX5s, which I thought some of you might like to check out. Please be aware that these WILL NOT work in Internet Explorer and may be a bit clunky on mobiles.
Here is my brake system app.
http://blackartracing.zxq.net/Brakes/Index.php
It lists all the common MX5 caliper and disc combinations in drop down menus, along with prop valves, some pad choices and master cylinder/booster combos.
It will work out threshold braking performance (i.e it calculates the deceleration, it doesn't take it as an input), the pedal force required to achieve it, stopping distances, weight transfer and temperature of the front and rear brakes over a two minute test cycle braking and accelerating between two input speeds. It will take a power input so you can see how hot the brakes get with increased power as it decreases the cooling time between each braking event.
The drop down menus in yellow are self explanatory, the inputs in Cyan are correct to the best of my knowledge for an MX5 and come with pop out tips when you hover over them.
The next one is kind of the reverse thing, for standing start straight line acceleration.
http://blackartracing.zxq.net/Transmission/ThrustI...
Takes the vehicle specs (mass, size, drivetrain) a torque curve and the gear ratios and plots out wheel torque vs wheel RPM and calculates 0-60, 0-100, 40-80, 60-120 and 1/4 mile times.
This is traction limited so the weight distribution and drivetrain type will affect how hard the car can launch.
The defaults are for a 5 speed MX5 vs a 6 speed MX5, all else being equal.
This one is for the chassis
http://blackartracing.zxq.net/Chassis/LoadTransfer...
Again pre-loaded with MX5 data, you can change aspects of the suspension like spring rates, bar diameters, track width, CG and roll centers and see the effect on load transfer distribution (understeer balance) and roll angles.
These are being constantly updated and I have more on the way also.
Would welcome any feedback, good or bad!
They're not designed for the complete n00b, however I've tried to create them so that anyone with a basic understanding can glean some useful information from them.
I've got a couple made up so far which have been written specifically for MX5s, which I thought some of you might like to check out. Please be aware that these WILL NOT work in Internet Explorer and may be a bit clunky on mobiles.
Here is my brake system app.
http://blackartracing.zxq.net/Brakes/Index.php
It lists all the common MX5 caliper and disc combinations in drop down menus, along with prop valves, some pad choices and master cylinder/booster combos.
It will work out threshold braking performance (i.e it calculates the deceleration, it doesn't take it as an input), the pedal force required to achieve it, stopping distances, weight transfer and temperature of the front and rear brakes over a two minute test cycle braking and accelerating between two input speeds. It will take a power input so you can see how hot the brakes get with increased power as it decreases the cooling time between each braking event.
The drop down menus in yellow are self explanatory, the inputs in Cyan are correct to the best of my knowledge for an MX5 and come with pop out tips when you hover over them.
The next one is kind of the reverse thing, for standing start straight line acceleration.
http://blackartracing.zxq.net/Transmission/ThrustI...
Takes the vehicle specs (mass, size, drivetrain) a torque curve and the gear ratios and plots out wheel torque vs wheel RPM and calculates 0-60, 0-100, 40-80, 60-120 and 1/4 mile times.
This is traction limited so the weight distribution and drivetrain type will affect how hard the car can launch.
The defaults are for a 5 speed MX5 vs a 6 speed MX5, all else being equal.
This one is for the chassis
http://blackartracing.zxq.net/Chassis/LoadTransfer...
Again pre-loaded with MX5 data, you can change aspects of the suspension like spring rates, bar diameters, track width, CG and roll centers and see the effect on load transfer distribution (understeer balance) and roll angles.
These are being constantly updated and I have more on the way also.
Would welcome any feedback, good or bad!
Edited by Kozy on Monday 19th August 10:37
Richyvrlimited said:
Looks smart.
I input all the details of my car for the braking app, (stock NB none sport in this instance).
Doesn't sound right that the rear disc demps are so much hotter than the fronts. Granted they're smaller, but they're also doing an awful lot less work?
The bias represents the percentage of the kinetic energy absorbed by the front and rear brakes. It's simply taken that 20% or so and dumped it into the mass of the rear brakes. If you put 20% of the energy into 20% of the mass, then the temperature increase is going to be pretty much the same.I input all the details of my car for the braking app, (stock NB none sport in this instance).
Doesn't sound right that the rear disc demps are so much hotter than the fronts. Granted they're smaller, but they're also doing an awful lot less work?
In reality, yes they most likely do run cooler, although I'm at loss to explain why. They get less airflow, and what they get is hotter as it's had to pass by the front brakes and engine. I haven't put any 'fudge factors' in, but if I can get some testing done and figure out something reliable, then it could be incorporated to give more realistic results.
Should be borrowing an infra red temp guage soon to do some testing on mine and my mates car.
ETA: Just had a look, are you sure you got it right? NB non-Sport should be the same as the NA 1.8 I think, I can't seem to get the rears hotter than the fronts?
Edited by Kozy on Monday 19th August 12:16
Kozy said:
ETA: Just had a look, are you sure you got it right? NB non-Sport should be the same as the NA 1.8 I think, I can't seem to get the rears hotter than the fronts?
Yea, change the prop valve to an NB 01-04 and that throws the temps way out on the rearsEdited by Kozy on Monday 19th August 12:16
EDIT: Hadn't clocked who you were, or that'd you'd posted this on Nutz too, was just about to point you over there
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