Volumetric efficiency Equation 1

Where: t1 = Temperature of t2 = Temperature of (R) d1 = Density of air d2 = Density of the Solving for d2: air for a known density (32 F @ 0.0808 lb/ft3) the intake air measured by the intake air temperature sensor for a known temperature (0.0808 lb/ft3 @ 32 F) intake air (lb/ft3)

Calculating your car's volumetric flow rate Now you are ready to calculate your car's actual volumetric flow rate. Multiply the mass flow rate (MFK) from the Auto Tap log file, by the density of the inta ke air (d2) at that specific mass flow rate. This gives you the actual volumetr ic flow rate of your engine. This is illustrated by Equation 2 where the actual air flow by our engine at 5,993 rpm is calculated. Equation 2

Where: AVF = Actual volumetric flow rate (ft3/minute) MFK = Mass flow rate taken from Auto Tap log (lb/minute) d2 = Density of air for the intake air (lb/ft3) Solving for d2:

Calculating theoretical air flow for your engine Knowing the theoretical air flow in cubic-feet per minute (cfm) your car can tak e in at a given engine speed (rpm) is an absolute must in determining volumetric efficiency. In order to figure out what the theoretical amount of air your eng ine will "ingest" at a certain rpm, you will have to answer a few questions. Wh at is the displacement of your engine? For what maximum rpm do you want to desi gn? Do you have a four- or two-stroke engine? Since we own 1999 Camaro Z28, we will use the LS1 with no internal engine modifi cations as our design engine. Our LS1 has a displacement rating of 346 cubic in ches (in3). We will calculate the theoretical air flow at 5,993 rpm because we have the Auto Tap data at that rpm. Our engine is a four stroke engine like all pushrod V-8's on the road. Having a four-stroke engine is represented by a val ue of two. This equation will show how much air is needed when the engine opera tes at 100% efficiency at 5,993 rpm. Equation 32 is for electronic fuel injecte d cars only Equation 3

Where: rpm = maximum design rpm TAF = Theoretical air flow (ft3/minute) VE = Volumetric efficiency (100% theoretical) ED = Engine displacement (in3) ES = Engine stroke (2 for a four stroke engine) C = Conversion factor from in3 to ft3 Solving for TAF:

Calculating volumetric efficiency The volumetric efficiency is simply the actual he theoretical volumetric flow rate multiplied the volumetric efficiency using the data from will tell us the volumetric efficiency of our Equation 4 volumetric flow rate divided by t by one hundred. Equation 4 shows the previous two equations. This car at 5,993 rpm.

Where: VE = Volumetric Efficiency (%) AVF = Actual volumetric flow rate (ft3/minute) TAF = Theoretical air flow rate (ft3/minute) Solving for VE:

The results you get from your calculations should help you better understand how your car will react with future modifications. Be sure to establish a baseline and test your car after every modification. Although the values we have calcul ated are not exact and a little on the conservative side; they are close enough for us weekend wrench-turners.

- Eric Barger