[DeTomaso] Something is so wrong with this

[Charles Engles]

Dear Forum,

 

 

                I was just reading the October Grassroots Motorsports
article about their project car a new Chevy Camaro that they were modifying
and testing on the track.

 

 

               "...While enjoying the track outing, we confirmed the third
thing that had begun to concern us at Daytona: seemingly very high engine
oil temps.  After just a few laps, the oil temp indicated on the Camaro's
quad gauge pack would creep up to within a couple needle widths of the
320-degree mark.  If nothing else, this warranted some talks with Chevy.

 

                   We had a chat and exchanged some emails with one of their
powertrain engineers and learned some interesting stuff.  First the oil temp
gauge in the center cluster isn't actually measuring oil temp per se.  The
gauge actually reflects what a computer model simulation estimates the oil
temperature should be based on current information.  It takes data
parameters like ambient temp, rpm, engine load, vehicle speed, gear ,
throttle position and dozens of other data points to build a very accurate
simulation.

 

                 Amazing, yes.  But the oil is literally 3 feet from you.
It's right there.  Wouldn't it be easier to just measure the temp?  Well,
Chevy says the modeling is highly accurate and quicker to react than an
actual gauge under normal conditions.  And there's the rub.  Under typical
loads the model is exceptional, but when the variables start to greatly
exceed the normal programming thanks to strained track action, even Chevy
admits that it may not be capable of accurately predicting temps."

 

                 They then discuss the loan of the Chevy old school
thermocouple to install and double check the accuracy of virtual oil pan oil
temp reality with..an actual measurement of the actual temperature in real
time.

 

                 What is wrong with modern car manufacturers?   A computer
model simulation of the engine oil temperature?  What could ever go wrong
with that?   I am appalled and flabbergasted by such things.  I am a
Luddite.

 

                                Confused,  Chuck Engles 

-------------- next part --------------
   Dear Forum,



                   I was just reading the October Grassroots Motorsports
   article about their project car a new Chevy Camaro that they were
   modifying and testing on the track.



                  ".......While enjoying the track outing, we confirmed
   the third thing that had begun to concern us at Daytona: seemingly very
   high engine oil temps.  After just a few laps, the oil temp indicated
   on the Camaro's quad gauge pack would creep up to within a couple
   needle widths of the 320-degree mark.  If nothing else, this warranted
   some talks with Chevy.


                      We had a chat and exchanged some emails with one of
   their powertrain engineers and learned some interesting stuff.  First
   the oil temp gauge in the center cluster isn't actually measuring oil
   temp per se.  The gauge actually reflects what a computer model
   simulation estimates the oil temperature should be based on current
   information.  It takes data parameters like ambient temp, rpm, engine
   load, vehicle speed, gear , throttle position and dozens of other data
   points to build a very accurate simulation.


                    Amazing, yes.  But the oil is literally 3 feet from
   you.  It's right there.  Wouldn't it be easier to just measure the
   temp?  Well, Chevy says the modeling is highly accurate and quicker to
   react than an actual gauge under normal conditions.  And there's the
   rub.  Under typical loads the model is exceptional, but when the
   variables start to greatly exceed the normal programming thanks to
   strained track action, even Chevy admits that it may not be capable of
   accurately predicting temps."


                    They then discuss the loan of the Chevy old school
   thermocouple to install and double check the accuracy of virtual oil
   pan oil temp reality with......an actual measurement of the actual
   temperature in real time.


                    What is wrong with modern car manufacturers?   A
   computer model simulation of the engine oil temperature?  What could
   ever go wrong with that?   I am appalled and flabbergasted by such
   things.  I am a Luddite.


                                   Confused,  Chuck Engles