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COMPETITION VEHICLE INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEM



                          During development of the Chrysler Corp. Grand National Div. NASCAR and


               USAC race car an instrumentation system was designed and developed for measuring

               vehicle aerodynamic, engine, drive train, suspension and vehicle/driver dynamic


               performance while undergoing actual high speed race track performance testing. The

               system required a completely self-contained package to survive the extremes of the

               vehicle itself which included high amplitude shock and vibration, "g" loading temperatures


               to over 250°F and possible ’’crash” failure modes.

                          The system utilized an on-board FM recorder to handle measurement data


               from a transducer and signal conditioning system capable of handling 60 channels of

               information. The system was designed to interface with PCM telemetry and finally


               with a real time selective channel readout and data reduction van (Dodge Motor Home)

               housing    digital computer to accept and decode digital data.


                          Some of the typical vehicle performance measurements developed and

               utilized on the program included:


                          Engine Speed

                          Vehicle Speed

                          Acceleration (3 axis)


                          Oil Pressure

                          Water Temperature


                          Cooling System Inlet & Outlet Temp.

                          Oil Cooler Inlet & Outlet Temp.


                          Oil Level

                          Ignition System Voltages


                          Manifold Pressure
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