Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 119: Randomizer II

Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 119: Randomizer II

I just found out that the creator of the CEL Challenge also created a set of spinner wheels for a random engine generator - a link to these wheels can be found here. You can also find an example of a randomly generated engine based on the criteria from the wheels in this video. Now, about the wheels themselves: Unlike in the CEL Challenge, there are eight wheels (the maximum the site will allow), and they are as follows:

• Engine Type: The arrangement of the engine's cylinders. This can range from an inline-3 to a V16 and anything in between - in fact, every engine layout in Automation is accounted for.
• Engine Size: Determines the total displacement of the engine. There are several displacement brackets, from sub-1-liter to 15-20 liters. If any displacement within the range of the bracket is impossible to attain with the configuration generated, spin again.
• Material (spin 2 times): The material used for the block (1st spin) and heads (2nd spin).
• RPM: The RPM limit for the engine. There are several brackets, from sub-2,000 RPM to 10,000-12,000 RPM.
• Head: The type of head the engine has. All options (from pushrods to DOHC with 4 or 5 valves per cylinder) are supported.
• Bottom End Parts: Determines the set of bottom end parts (crank, conrods, pistons) that will be used. There are four options: Cast (includes hypereutectic and low-friction pistons), heavy-duty cast (for conrods and pistons), forged, and lightweight forged (which includes titanium conrods and billet steel cranks)
• Cams and Headers: The type of headers used, if the engine is naturally aspirated. All in-game options are supported. (As of LCV 4.2.23, Cast Log is now Compact Cast, and Short Cast has been split into Cast Low and Cast Mid, while standard Tubular is now Tubular Mid.)
• Fuel System: The type of fuel system the engine will use. As with Cams and Headers above, all in-game options are supported, from single-barrel carburetors to direct fuel injection.

Unlike in the CEL Challenge spinner wheel set, the Random Engine Generator does not have a wheel that determines the choice of era, since the unlock year varies greatly from item to item. For example, Direct Injection is not available until 2001, assuming a fuel system tech pool value of 0. Speaking of Tech Pool, I am assuming that the entire set was made under the assumption that all engine tech pool values are 0, which prevents parts from being unlocked earlier than they were before the tech pool was implemented. Finally, if you choose to spin the wheels one at a time instead of all at once, you should do so from left to right, row by row.

Below is an example of a combination randomly generated using the Random Engine Generator wheel set.

An example of a randomly generated combination of engine components, created using the Random Engine Generator spinner wheel set. Here, it shows a V8 with a displacement of 3 to 6 liters, with aluminum/silicon alloy for the block and/or heads, an RPM limit between 8,000 to 10,000 RPM, 4- or 5-valve DOHC heads, lightweight forged internals, variable valve lift (either in addition to, or in place of, variable valve timing), and multi-point fuel injection.

It is possible to use both sets in conjunction with each other for a combined random car/engine combination, although the result will often be anachronistic without (and sometimes even with) use of the tech pool.

If you had fun with the CEL Challenge spinner wheel set, be sure to try the Random Engine Generator spinner wheel set - it's a blast to play with!