Flow Pro

Data Acquisition

Flow Pro Data Acquisition Hardware

Improved Accuracy & Repeatability

Flow Pro increases both the accuracy and repeatability of your flow testing. High quality pressure sensors accurately read depression, flow, pitot tube, and carburetor jet signals. Operator to operator variations are minimized. Flow is automatically compensated for minor variations in depression, enhancing the usefulness and validity of test to test comparisons.

Modular Design

Flow Pro hardware’s modular design lets you start small and add components as you need them. A beginning configuration is a Base Sensor Module and Flow Pro software. From there you can grow by adding a pitot / carburetor jet sensor, pitot tubes, digital dial indicator, depression control, automatic valve opener, or swirl meter. Flow Pro is compatible with most flow benches, including many “home made” benches.

Easy Installation

The Flow Pro sensor module mounts on the front of your Flow Bench. (Some Flow Bench manufacturers will build Flow Pro into the bench for you). Flow and depression signals are obtained by tee-ing into the plastic tubing that feeds the manometers on your bench. The temperature probe is designed as a screw-in replacement for the dial type probes used on many benches. While a PC computer (not included) is required for complete operation, quick simple tests can be done without the computer. No add-in cards are used. Connection to your computer is through the USB port.

Fast Easy Testing

Reading manometers, writing down numbers, punching calculator buttons, sifting through stacks of paper — it all takes time. But that’s no problem; you have lots of spare time, Right? Flow Pro users report reductions in testing time of 50% to 90%. Get Flow Pro and spend more time planning how to improve your heads, and less time on the tedious chores of old-fashioned flow testing.

Fits Most Benches

Flow Pro is compatible with most flow benches, including many “home made” benches. Flow Pro supports SuperFlow, Flow Data, Saenz, and JKM flow benches.

Base Sensor Package Sensor Module

Sensor Module
Foot switch
Power supply
Cables and hook-up tubing

Options Digital Dial Indicator

Pitot Tubes
Extra Temperature Probe
Depression Controller
Valve Opener

Sensor Module Supports

Depression pressure sensor
Flow pressure sensor
Pitot/Carburetor booster pressure sensor
2 Temperature sensors (1 standard, 1 optional)
Digital dial indicator (optional)
Foot Switch
Intake/Exhaust switch
Valve Opener (optional)
Swirl Meter (optional)
Tumble Meter (optional)

Software

Database Technology

Flow Pro uses database technology to effectively manage the large amount of data that is generated by a serious development program. The chore of organizing and storing the data is done for you. Data retrieval is easy, too. The flow test database can be filtered and sorted in a multitude of ways that make it easy to find the data you are looking for. Backward compatibility with your older DOS Flow Pro test files is provided by import and export functions.

Flexible Test Modes

Flow Pro has always had “by lift” tests. The Windows version also allows testing by L/D ratio. Fully automatic tests can be run using the Flow Pro valve opener. Other testing modes include port map tests, carburetor tests, and “by depression” tests.

Port Mapping

The Port map test provides an organized method to record and display air speeds. It quickly highlights where the fast and slow air is in the port and how it shifts as it travels through the port. This greatly increases the usefulness of pitot tubes.

Flow Coefficients

A coefficient is a measure of a head’s performance versus a standard. Flow Pro allows you to choose from among four commonly used standards. The “Potential Cfm” curve lets you see the standard upon which the coefficient is based.

Supports Flow Pro & Superflow Sensors

Flow Pro software can be used without sensors by keying in manometer readings. It also supports direct data acquisition via Flow Pro sensors, or some versions of Superflow’s FlowCom / SF1020 bench.

Depression Control

Flow Pro Depression Control

The Flow Pro Depression Control automatically adjusts the power to your flowbench’s vacuum motors to keep the depression steady. It responds quickly to dips or surges in the input power and changes in valve opening. Now you can flow test heads as quickly as you can open the valve to the next test point. This greatly reduces the time required to run a test. One customer reported that he now accomplishes in three minutes what used to require one hour! To be fair I should mention that the hour included keying the flow data into a spreadsheet and graphing it, but graphing the data is also included in the three minutes.

The combination of much faster test times and reduced power usage by the motors greatly reduces or even eliminates the problems associated with overheated rooms and overheated benches. The depression control is compatible with any bench that uses vacuum motors.

Question: Will it hurt the vacuum motors?

No, it makes them last longer. Many electric motors can be harmed by running at low voltage, but vacuum motors are designed differently. In fact, some manufacturers run vacuum motors at half voltage to break in the brushes.

Question: What should I do with my bench’s existing depression controls?

Set them to their highest position. The depression control will regulate the vacuum motors so that they do not produce excess vacuum that would need to be reduced by a mechanical control.

Question: Do I need to re-wire my flowbench?

If your bench has a light or if it uses a relay to switch power to the motors then the depression control must be connected so that its output is not supplying power for the light or the relay. Because the depression control is connected between the relay and the vacuum motors, it does not affect the power for the light and the relay.

Question: My bench does not use vacuum motors. Will the depression control work with my bench?

No.

Specifications for Depression Control

Dimensions	10 x 10.5 x 4.5 inches
Connection to PC	Standard COM port. Can share a port with Flow Pro sensors.
Input	220/240 VAC or 110 VAC, 50 or 60 Hz
Output	The Control can be configured at the factory to work with 220 V used as a single 220 V circuit, or 220 V used as two 110 V circuits, or a single 110 V circuit. Overseas customers should consult the factory regarding compatibility with their electric power.
Advantages	Faster testing. Saves power. Eliminates overheated rooms. Eliminates overheated benches. Extends vacuum motor life.

Valve Opener

Flow Pro Automatic Valve Opener

The Flow Pro Valve Opener places the valve under computer control. Together with the Depression Control, this permits automatic flow testing. With this equipment a complete flow test of one port requires less than two minutes.

“This thing works so slick, it’s like cheating. Thanks for a great product!”
– Steve Vigen

The valve opener’s unique design uses a hollow tube to push the valve. The tube is held by Teflon bearings and moved by a linear stepper motor. The tip of the digital dial indicator extends through the hollow tube to directly measure the valve position. This ensures accurate valve positioning.

The valve opener’s slotted mounting arm attaches to its body with two screws. This mounting method can adapt to most existing systems, including Brzezinski (see the photo above right). For special situations you can replace the arm with a custom mounting solution.

Valve Opener Advantages

Faster testing. Test one port in two minutes.
Saves power.
Eliminates overheated rooms.
Eliminates overheated benches.

Pitot Tubes

Specially Designed for use with Flow benches

Pitot tubes are used to measure air velocity. They sample the impact pressure of the air into the tip of the probe, and the static pressure in the same region simultaneously. To work correctly the tip of the probe must face into the air flow.

Audie Technology pitot tubes are properly shaped for use with heads. Each set contains a straight probe (for exhaust ports) and a probe with a U bend at the tip (for intake ports). They feature durable stainless steel construction and a thinner profile (3/32 inch, 2.38 mm OD) than other commonly available tubes so they disturb the air flow less. Their length (18 inch, 457 mm) lets you keep your hands away from the port entrance.

How Pitot Tubes Work

PA pitot tube has an inner and outer tube. The tubes are sealed together at the tip, with the inner tube left open. A short distance from the tip there are several holes around the outer tube. Pitot tubes measure the impact pressure produced by moving air. This is called the “dynamic pressure”. The pressure in the port that is not caused by moving air is called the “static pressure”.

The tube must be positioned so that the air flows directly into the tip. The inner tube then has a pressure that is a combination of the dynamic pressure and the static pressure. The outer tube has only the static pressure. By connecting a differential pressure sensor between the inner and outer tube we can measure only the dynamic pressure. If the density of the air is known, the air speed can be calculated from the dynamic pressure.

How to Use Pitot Tubes

Use the pitot tube that will allow the air to flow directly into the tip of the pitot tube. Use the “J” tube for intake ports, and the straight tube for exhaust ports.
Connect the pitot tube to a differential pressure sensor or a manometer. When using a single tube manometer, connect E to the bottom of the manometer and F to the top. When using Flow Pro sensors connect E and F to the nipples labeled E and F.
Put the pitot tube into the air flow. Adjust its angle or position to get the maximum reading. When the reading is at its maximum the air is flowing directly into the tip.
Record the reading. When using Flow Pro sensors, press the foot switch. Repeatability will be better if you hold the foot switch down for several seconds. Flow Pro software will average readings taken while the switch is pressed.

Ways to Use Pitot Tubes

“Poke-around” Testing. The pitot tube is used to probe the port looking for fast air and dead air.
Port Mapping. Readings are taken in a systematic manner in order to map the air speeds in the port. This is done at one or more cross-sectional planes. Flow Pro software helps greatly in gathering and analyzing port maps.

Owners

Schools that Use Flow Pro (Partial List)

NW Technical College (Bemidji, MN)
Educacion Tecnica 5 Temperley
Ferris State University
Mondello Technical School Motorcycle Mechanics Institute
U.T.N. La Plata
Universal Technical Institute

Famous Owners of Flow Pro (Partial List)

Advanced Airflow – Ontario
Air Flow Specialties
Alberta Cylinder Head Service
Alfredo Tame-Mexico
Andy Petree Racing
Arctic Cat
Arty Ross Engineering
Bertil’s Racing
Bill Mann Performance
Brzezinski Racing Products
Buell Motorcycle Co.
Canfield Cylinder Heads
Cartek
Creeks Flow Management
Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
Darcy Engineering
Dart Machine – Canada
Dart Machinery WFB-2800
Ed Pink Racing Engines
Elan Power Products
Enders Race Engines
EPI, Inc.
Ernie Elliott, Inc.
Flow Design Technology
Furniture Row Racing
Gas Flow Techniques
Grossewaechter Racing Parts
Hendrick Motorsports
Holden Racing Team
Holley Performance Products
Jasper Motorsports
Jenkins Competition
Jere Stahl
Jim Raygoza
Joe Amato Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing
Jor-dan Enterprises
Kinser Racing Engines Lewis Automotive
Mercury High Performance
Mercury Marine
Morgan McClure Motorsports
MotorSport Technology
Panhandle Performance
PAV-TEK
Penske Racing South
Performance Airflow Technology
Pete Briggs Racing
Port City Engines
Pro Motor Engineering
Protech Engines
Quarter Mile Performance
Race Flow Cylinder Heads
Race Flow Development
Racers Edge
Rams Head Service
Reher & Morrison Racing
Replika Maschinen
Richard Petty Enterprises
Sabco Racing
Schneider Racing Cams
Second Street Speed
Slawko Racing Heads
Steve Schmidt Automotive
Street Performance
Sunbelt Performance Engines
Team Menard
The Head Shop
Thomas Tanoura
Toyota Motor Sport Division
Toyota Racing Dev.-CA
Toyota Racing Development
Ultra Pro Machining
West Coast Cylinder Heads
Wideline Motorcycle Engineering
Zytec Engineering

Flow Bench Companies

Jamison Equipment

1908 11th St.
Emmetsburg, IA 50536
Phone: (800) 841-5405
Fax: (712) 852-3570
jamisone@ncn.net
www.jamisonequipment.com/

Saenz

Contact: Mr. Saenz
Pedro Zanni 1599
7600 Mar Del Plata
Argentina
Phone: +54-223-479-2913
Spanish only
Fax: +54-223-465-0100
English okay
saenz@saenzdynos.com.ar
English okay for E-mail

Equipment & Books

Sources for Flowbench Equipment

Brezezinski Racing Products

N 50 W 23001 Betker Drive
Pewaukee, WI 53072
Phone: (262) 246-8577
Fax: (267) 246-7371
www.castheads.com

Motor International

P.O. Box 1
Osceloa, WI 54020
Phone: 1-800-826-6600

Book Recommendations

Engine Airflow by Harold Bettes
How To Build & Modify Chevrolet Small-Block V-8, Camshafts & Valve trains
Flathead Fever by Mike Davidson
Flow Numbers – self-published by Trey
Musgrove, 1526 Willowview Dr., Grove City, OH 43123, (614) 875-1401
Harley-Davidson Evolution 1340 Performance Tests by Jerry Branch, Branch Flowmetrics, (714) 827-1463
How to Build, Modify, & Power Tune Cylinder Heads by Peter Burgess & David Gollan
How to Build & Modify Chevrolet Small Block V-8 Cylinder Heads by David Vizard
Porting Notebook self-published by Bill Jones, 3294 Meadow Wood Way,Salt Lake City, UT 84118, (801) 969-3807
The Chevrolet Power Manual available from Chevy dealers
The Chevrolet Racing Engine by Bill Jenkins
The Design and Tuning of Competition Engines by Philip H. Smith
The Scientific Design of Exhaust & Intake Systems by Philip H. Smith and John C. Morrison