Engine Control

Theory

Passive

It is possible to run an engine without an engine control module. Wasted spark such as yamaha wr450 before 2010 cbr is carb stock

Active

control spark - timing control fuel - timing, duration (can't really change angle or placement so we put that under fuel system design, not here) control air - throttle control temperature - radiator redirect valve, fan control control valve timing, valve lift (not electronically tunable, but still control, i'd be willing to put this under intake if that's a better place)

Tuning

Engine tuning is the idea of changing the independent inputs to the engine to achieve a desired goal. The inputs available to tune depend on the engine control strategy. Usually this goal is peak engine torque at every operating condition.

Engine Control Strategies

Alpha-N

The most common engine control strategy (at least in fsae, not sure about the galaxy brains across the pond) is alpha-n.

Speed-Density

There is also speed-density.

MAF Control

Not sure if there's a fancy name for maf control, not sure if anyone uses it either.

Theory

Dithering

need to make this clearer Since the engine torque output is a non-linear function of many variables, and the resultant surface isn't analytically determinate, the torque surface is navigated by dithering. This involves running the engine on a dynamometer and, for each engine control variable, taking small steps in a direction and determining the effect the small step has on the torque. If the result is a decrease in torque, another direction is pursed. By chasing the direction of increasing torque for every operating condition, the engine control is optimized. this is just one big gradient ascent, but very badass.

Open vs. Closed Loop Tuning

open loop tuning is doing it yourself, run the engine and check the outputs. closed loop tuning is usually done to a specific lambda and is handled by the ECM.

Dynamometer

see System Testing

should have its own page also

Spark Tuning

• mbt

[diagram of spark timing on torque]

• Knock is typically not an issue with a stock 4cyl. Not sure how to convey in 10 years of this I have never seen or heard evidence of it.

Fuel Tuning

• duration
  • lbt
• timing

Tuning for Idle

• Run lean, at least in the case of the 4cyls they do not seem to mind being 15+ [citation needed]
  
• Stock CBR idles at ~900RPM, rare that fsae cars run that low [citation needed]
• Idle air controllers are huge for accurate idle control. [citation needed]
• Sharp pickup on throttle tip-in
• limited spark advance - dont want engine to pick up, keep it stable
• "torque well"
• efficiency - don't waste gas
• idle noise limit

Closed v open loop engine control

• short term factors
• long term factors
• place in motorsport

Data and Data Collection

[link to daq and electronics]

Data used to run the engine

(please someone come up with a better title for this section - simon) (needed if not running active spark)

• cam sync sensor is needed to determine crank/valve angle - fire spark and fuel on every other rotation
• determine place on fuel/spark map
  • load (alpha, map, maf)
  • rpm

Compensations

• IAT - cooler air is denser and allows for more fuel burn, denser charge may need different spark advance
• map (for alpha-n) - map allows for delays b/w throttle actuation and change in how much air is in intake system, esp with larger plenums, or extreme throttle changes (dump for accel, or complete lift-off)
• coolant temp - warm engine runs more better (afaik fuel vaporization and i know there's other stuff i dont know) but not too hot, can tune to dump fuel to cool engine if its close to overheating though not recommended bc its not efficient

stuff you should get so you can figure out wth ur doing

(safety stuff?)

• oil pressure - low op means stop
• coolant temp - if its boiling, stop, regulation calls for water which boils at 212 (at normal altitudes @colorado)

cool data so you can do custom engine stuff

• cylinder pressure
• knock sensor (cyl pressure can handle this if you have it)
• fuel flow meter
• cyl temperature

I'm sure there's stuff im forgetting