Combustion Lab: An Interactive Web-Based Simulator for Engine Dynamics
Combustion Engine Web-Based Simulator
I built Combustion Lab, a web-based tool that lets you explore how internal combustion engines work in real time. Using professional-grade thermodynamic models, you can tweak parameters like boost pressure, spark timing, and fuel mix to see how they affect power, torque, and knock. It's designed to teach the physics of engine cycles without needing complex software, making engineering concepts accessible to everyone.
"The only stroke that produces work is the power stroke, where combustion near TDC drives pressure to 50–100+ bar and expansion pushes the piston down."
HN discussion
- A mechanical engineer notes that while the tool's visuals are flashy, it lacks physical accuracy and verification, raising concerns that LLM-generated simulations may prioritize aesthetics over reliable engineering data.
- Critics point out fundamental physics errors in the simulator, such as the ability to set throttle and RPM independently, create impossible engine combinations, and display unrealistic power outputs like 4878 hp.
- Several users identify the project as likely 'AI slop' based on the generic UI aesthetic and unmistakably LLM-generated language on the 'How it Works' page, which undermines trust in the educational content.
- Commenters recommend more rigorous alternatives for learning engine dynamics, including AngeTheGreat's sound-focused simulations and CIECHANOW's detailed internal combustion engine explainer.