Tools of the trade

OK, we have decided on a problem, identify primary discriminatory factors among valve timing events. Now we have to assemble our tools and develop our data and methodology.
There is an artificial intelligence method called an "iterative dichotimizer"(ID) that is used to identify the shortest path from data to a specific result.For example, it we have the four valve events, which one is the quickest way to maximum torque or maximum horsepower. We will use this method to determine which valve event is most important. For this tool, I will use an old DOS program that I've used for years. Why a DOS tool? Well, it's cheap (I already have it). I'm familiar with it and have used it for years.And last, it is a very good implementation of the ID algorithm and I know it works.
Next, because I don't have the time or money to build a bunch of motors and dyno them to get results, I'll use an engine simulator. There are many of these available and I would prefer not to recommend one over the other because I've only used a few. The ones I haven't used, I do not have sufficient knowledge to judge them.
However, I will make a generalization. Try not to use a simulation program that uses a table lookup for values for Volumetric Efficiency. Try to find one that actually computes VE for the entire 720 degrees of 4 stroke rotation.
I will also be using Microsoft's Excel spreadsheet for some data analysis and a few progams I have written myself.
In regards to the data, I will "simulate" engines similar to the one I use for racing. Now here is where a Triumph engine shines. The cams (separate intake and exhaust) on a Triumph are gear driven. There is 51 teeth on these gears. This means that altering the timing by one tooth is a 7.0589 degree advance or retard (360 degrees divided by 51 teeth). Additionally, there are three keyways on a Triumph cam gear and they are 5 degrees apart. Soooo, by a one tooth and one keyway change, I can alter timing by a minimum of 2.06(rounded off) degrees. That's cutting it fairly fine!
I think I will also add valve diameter and lift to the mix. When using an ID algorithm, it's best to have "complicated" data.
Now off to the computer to generate data, which I'll present and detail in the next entry.