engine-crane

engine-crane 0.4.3

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engine-crane​

A tool to put engines created in Automation into Assetto Corsa.

The tool is, and always will be, free and open-source. I created this tool in my spare time because I thought it would be cool but if you'd like to support this open source work I'd greatly appreciate it; you can support on GitHub or Ko-fi using the links below.
https://github.com/sponsors/zephyrj
https://ko-fi.com/zephyrj

Summary​

A stand-alone program that takes data from a combination of:
  • a BeamNG mod exported from Automation (the car is irrelevant – just the engine data is used at the moment)
  • the simulated engine data that is generated by Automation and shown to you when you’re in the engine designer
It generates the following data:
  • an N/A wheel torque-curve in the power.lut based on some assumed drivetrain losses. Currently it bases the mechanical efficiency on the drive-type of the AC though in future I plan to make it configurable.
  • If a turbo is used for the engine then it will generate a turbo section and accompanying turbo controller file to match the boost@RPM values from Automation as closely as it can
  • A coast torque value based on the friction values of the engine in the BeamNG mod
  • The inertia of the engine; again taken from the BeamNG mod
  • Fuel consumption based off the of the efficiency data of the engine.
  • If the existing cars engine weight is known then it will update the car weight based on the difference between the old and new engine weights
  • It updates the auto-shifter based on the RPM of the new engine and if it can find shift leds in the target AC car it will update those to the new engine RPM
  • It generates a new set of UI data for the car based of the new engine

Limitations​

This tool is in active development; at the moment it has the following known limitations:
  • Trying to swap an engine into a mod car with an encrypted data.acd (e.g. ier_p13c) file will fail
  • Automation engine sounds are not yet used in the Assetto Corsa car – work is on-going (tutorials list a temporary workaround)
  • Multiple turbos haven’t been tested – they may work

How to use​

Video tutorial:

Written tutorial: https://sykology.dev/how-to-use-engine-crane/
I've tested on my computer but I suspect there will still be bugs. If you encounter any issues when using the tool try the Fixing-problems page


In memory of my Dad​

I started developing this with little to no knowledge about Assetto Corsa modding or the finer details of engines - initially I just thought it would be a cool thing to do, however, this project has taken on a much more significant part of my life after my Dad passed away suddenly just before Christmas last year.

My Dad was a true petrol-head who loved everything about cars; he owned many throughout his life and spent many happy hours working on them in his spare time. F1 was a big part of our family life and we'd watch every quali/race religiously; even if we had to get up at 5am. Naturally we supported the British drivers and I am lucky to have fond memories celebrating together; particularly when Damon Hill won in 1996. The year after Damon's title my Dad bought me the now iconic F1 97 game on the PlayStation which sparked my love of racing games that continues to this day.

It wasn't just a love of cars and racing that my Dad passed on; he also shared with us his endless curiosity about the physical world - he was an electrical engineer and his sons have all ended up in engineering professions as a result his infectious enthusiasm for "how stuff works". Though both my brothers inherited my Dads uncanny ability to fix anything you can find in a house or garage; I somehow managed to miss most of the "real-world" skill branches on the way down the family tree but pursued another of my Dads passions, computers, so can at least fix most things in an office and am now a software engineer.

The person I am today is shaped by my Dad's influence and after he passed away this little project, a niche intersection of engineering, software development and racing games, became something I wanted to do in memory of him. I may not know how to swap a real-life engine but I figured there must be a way to get it to work in the world I do have skills in. The culmination of this is a tool I've called engine-crane and it is dedicated to my Dad - a man I owe much of the curiosity and, at times, sheer belligerence needed to get it to this point. I miss you Dad, in Murray Walker's familiar words we heard together in 1996, 'I've got to stop, because I've got a lump in my throat'.

antony_front.jpg

Latest updates

  1. 0.4.3 Release

    This update allows you use customize the fuel consumption for cars using the CSP extended...
  2. Support for Assetto Corsa Car Tuner App

    The 0.4.2 release of engine-crane now includes support for the AC Car Tuner App Here's an...
  3. 0.4.0 Release

    A new version of engine-crane is now available. There are 2 significant changes: No longer asks...

Latest reviews

Awesome tool, awesome mechanism. This is just straight the best tool for engine mods, I can import any engine whatever I want. Thx for this brilliant tool
This is an awesome idea!

Maybe you should cooperate with this guy: https://youtube.com/@angethegreat?si=wFVEOq9qxV5SXz_6

He is building a physics accurate engine simulator with procedural sound generation.
Ive used this tool in the past on 1.13 and had no issues. On the latest patch I can see all of my cars from Asseto no problem but when I click the engine swap. Theres nothing no engines/cars ive made. Every install path is correct Ive check multiple times installed and deleted still nothing.
zephyrj_15
zephyrj_15
Hi, sorry to hear this. Are you referring to the BeamNG mods not displaying?

I've seen some people have issues with the folder path being set for a different user - try looking through this discussion to see if it helps at all:
https://github.com/zephyrj/engine-crane/issues/27

Otherwise this may help:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Vv5uF1lCv6w

If you're still having issue try raising an issue on GitHub and I can look into it in more detail:
https://github.com/zephyrj/engine-crane/issues
I've used this in the past and not had a problem, but tried tonight and just doesnt work. I can see all my Assetto Corsa Cars, but when I try the Beamng drop down nothing happens. And I've checked its the right place. And inside the mods folder is an unpacked folder with all the exported cars. But Engine Crane just wont open anything.
zephyrj_15
zephyrj_15
Hi, thanks for the review.

The beamNG mods created by Automation need to be in .zip to be detected. I think this used to be the default option in Automation when exporting but this might have changed. If they are all .zip files and you still can't see anything then could you please raise a new issue on GitHub with the engine_crane.log file attached (the file will be in the same folder as engine-crane) and I'll try to see what might be happening
https://github.com/zephyrj/engine-crane/issues
I could write a short novel on how much I enjoy this mod. I'll keep it short - this has extended my enjoyment of AC by a large margin. I've always wanted to drive an EJ20-swapped Miata, but didn't want to go through the effort of trying to find (or make) an accurately replicated one. Now, I no longer worry. Just find a specs sheet and off to the races.
So.. thanks!
PS engine weight was nice to see, love the attention to detail
zephyrj_15
zephyrj_15
Thank you. You're very welcome; glad you're enjoying it :)
First of all, sorry for your loss.

Now, the tool is simply insane. The engine behaves as you'd expect ingame. It's honestly shocking how well it actually works.
It's so much fun creating engines and throwing them into your favorite cars. We've begun having contests, everyone building their own engines with HP limits, making our own gearing, throwing those into identical cars and then racing our cars against each other online.

It's really a lot of fun and opened up car modding for me, something I wasn't really into before this tool. (I'm a track creator)
zephyrj_15
zephyrj_15
Thank you very much. I'm really glad to hear it's made modding more accessible - have fun with it
First of all - I'm sorry about the lost of your Dad!
You did am excellent job! I can't wait for next releases when engine sound export will work together... Really an amazing work, bro! I'm jealous about your talent! Keep up the good work and Happy New Year
zephyrj_15
zephyrj_15
Thank you very much; really appreciate it. Happy New Year!
amazing app
Love it! Gonna use it for an Automation challenge soon.
makes things so much easier to use automation motors. despite issues here and there i love it.
One of the most ambitious AC mod projects in recent memory. Excellent work.
Works great

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Author
zephyrj_15
Downloads
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File size
3.5 MB
Views
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First release
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User rating
4.55 star(s) 11 ratings

Shifting method

  • I use whatever the car has in real life*

  • I always use paddleshift

  • I always use sequential

  • I always use H-shifter

  • Something else, please explain


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