The Spintron Test Rig is a universal rig for powering part or full engine assemblies, and allowing the dynamic measurement of components to be done within a controlled environment. The model used at MCT has a 75 HP electric motor drive and is geared to allow a max. Operating speed of 10000 RPM.

A computer controlled system provides fully programmable steps to simulate race-laps or road-cycles for repeatable durability testing.

A 16 channel data acquisition system provides logging of pressures, temperatures, speeds, positions, flow rates, etc.

Most dynamic measurements can be made using a Polytec HSV2000 twin-laser system which eliminates rig vibration errors, and records position at a rate of 50 kHz. This was specifically engineered by MCT for accurate valve-tracking.

The Power to drive the rig at any point is derived from motor current consumption. A dynamic-brake is used to simulate over-run conditions.

MCT Spintron Test Examples.

Valve-motion studies

MCT have studied the dynamics of several NASCAR pushrod valve-train assemblies to collect real data on valve float / bounce, and valve-train stiffness / harmonics. This data was used to optimise valve spring settings and to validate a theoretical model.

Valve-train durability testing

MCT sign-off new designs of valve-train components over 2 million cycles using long and short speedway lap simulations before any dynamometer testing in a fired engine.

Oil system investigation

All aspects of a race engine oil system have been studied including:

Flow rates and pressures around the oil circuit; Areas of oil hang-up ; Piston and valve-spring cooling squirt jets ;