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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 07:27 AM
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Thumbs up Dyno's, The Truth!!!

Here is an entertaining study I found on Inertia Dynos conducted by German Motor Cars.

Please read if you are considering getting a tune in the near future. Might sway you in rethinking not only who tunes your car but on what Dyno you get tuned on!

GermanMotorCars.com


This discussion revolves around chassis dynamometer's and is intended to be informative and thought provoking. There are two types of chassis dynamometers on the market, inertia and loading. An inertia dynamometer (such as DynoJet) does not measure torque, but measures acceleration. A loading dynamometer applies resistance that is measured (using some type of strain gauge.)

The most often heard discussion is that what factor can be applied to rear wheel horsepower to reflect crankshaft horsepower. This is where we need to understand how the rear wheel horsepower number was derived. Since the DynoJet seems to be widely used and numbers quoted are those from a DynoJet, we are going to use them as our inertia dynamometer example.

First it is important to have an understanding of how DynoJet gets their horsepower numbers. Power in mechanical terms is the ability to accomplish a specified amount of work in a given amount of time. By definition, one horsepower is equal to applying a 550 pound force through a distance of 1 foot in one second. In real terms, it would take 1 HP to raise a 550 pound weight up 1 foot in 1 second. So to measure horsepower, we need to know force (in pounds) and velocity (in feet per second). Dynojet's inertial dynamometer measures power according to the terms just described. It measures velocity directly by measuring the time it takes to rotate two heavy steel drums one turn. It measures force at the surface of the drum by indirectly measuring it's acceleration. Acceleration is simply the difference in velocity at the surface of the drums from one revolution to the next. The force applied to the drums is calculated from acceleration using Newton's 2nd law, Force = Mass * Acceleration. Since the mass of the drums is know and acceleration has been measured, Power (horsepower) can now be calculated. Torque is then calculated using the horsepower number: Torque = Horsepower * 5252 / RPM.

Once they have these numbers a series of correction factors are applied, some made public, some hidden as proprietary secrets. The public correction factor is the SAE correction factor. This formula assumes a mechanical efficiency of 85%. The formula used is: Where: CF= 1.18 * (29.22/Bdo) * ((Square Root(To+460)/537)) – 0.18. To = Intake air temperature in degrees F, Bdo = Dry ambient absolute barometric pressure. This correction factor is meant to predict output in varying atmospheric conditions and is a +/- 7%. The proprietary correction factor is supposed to reflect the loss of power from the crankshaft to the rear wheels.

A Loading Dynamometer applies resistance to the dyne's roller(s) , typically using either a water brake or a current eddy brake. In either case, the amount of force is measure using a strain gauge. The measured force is torque which is a real, indisputable measurement of the actual output at the wheel. Horsepower than can be calculated: Hp = Trq * 5252 / RPM.

A Dynamometer can only measure actual power at the output location. Actual power produced AND delivered by an engine will be highest if measured at the crankshaft, lower at the transmission output shaft and even lower, but more meaningful, still, at the rear wheels. The power that you use is the power at the rear wheels. Some Dynamometer companies add to measured rear wheel power readings a factor that is based on ESTIMATED rear wheel power losses (under what power conditions? 3.0 ltr.? 5.0 ltr.? Under coasting conditions? with a 185/70/15 radial tire? a 335/35/18 radial tire? New heavy radial tire vs. worn old, light, racing tire? Who knows?) In short, there is NO meaningful "average" tire to get a correct rear tire power transmission loss measurement for all cars - so obviously, unless they actually measure the power lost in the rear tires, under driven load conditions, NO dyno company should BE ADDING incorrect power figures into the measured power. It's simply wrong. The fact that they add varying amounts of power to the actual, "true" amount of power delivered and measured to the surface of the drive roller creates a situation that makes it an onerous task to compare power figures from different brands of dynamometer systems. On simple inertial dynamometers, some (most) companies use an average for the inertial mass value of the engine, transmission, driveshaft, axles and rear wheels. This is saying that a 4 cylinder, 2.0 ltr. Porsche 914 has the same rotating mass and same rear wheels as a 8 cylinder, 5.0 ltr. Porsche 928 S+4. This simply is not so and wrong.

It's expensive to measure frictional losses in the engine and drivetrain, requiring the dyno to be able to drive the vehicle with engine off. Add the cost of a 50+hp electric motor, controlled power supply, etc. It's just not likely that $20,000 dyno will be equipped with that equipment. It is also common for dynamometer companies to add to the power readings by adding transmission and driveshaft losses back into the measured power readings. Some companies make a concerted effort try to measure frictional losses and, optionally, add the power to the measured readings. Other companies - some that would surprise you - say that it's not important and give a blanket, single factor for frictional losses in every engine. Some simply say that there is a meaningful "average" for every car,( 4 stroke/ 4 cylinder/ 4 speed transmission, 4 stroke/ 8 cylinder/ automatic transmission) and apply it to every car and that it is not a significant difference. Blanket estimates of "average" losses and corrections are, quite simply, incorrect. At the upper levels of the industry, (we are talking about $150,000 - $500,000 AC or DC 4 quadrant dynamometers) it is not tolerated - shouldn't be - and needn't be. There is a dyno company that actually has different versions of software that displays their own identical data files as different amounts of power depending on whether you use the DOS version or the Windows version of their software!!
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 07:27 AM
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CONT...


True, rear wheel horsepower is the standard of measuring the power that is actually delivered to the rear wheels. It is honest, true, fair and duplicable. It is the ONLY standard that can be duplicated by the entire industry - regardless of the dyno manufacturer. From my experience and that of many others, when comparing True, rear wheel horsepower to DJHP you must apply a factor. It appears that this is a sliding scale based on horsepower but the best estimate is 1.05 to 1.21 (maybe higher). What this means is that for those of you trying to calculate what your crankshaft horsepower is based on DJHP, and are adding 15%, the most common number I hear, you are actually doubling (at least) the factor. Why? Because DJHP already has a puff number added into their DJHP. Lets say DJHP shows 200 hp and you add 15%, you get 230 hp crankshaft horsepower. In reality DJ has already added in 15 or 20% to their 200 DJHP number. How does this help us.? It does not, and is fact harmful to the many dynamometer test facilities that report only what the dyno actually measured. I can not tell you of the many discussions that we have had as to why the horsepower numbers we recorded lower than that of DJ. For those manufacturers that use DJHP as proof of their claims, can you imagine the shock your customers get when the horsepower number of a vehicle tested on a load bearing dyno do not come close to their claim.

Proper tuning, especially on highly modified engines greatly affect the power difference. Due to the fact that the DJ dyno's sweep so quickly on sweep hp tests, there is no way to properly tune a fuel map. What you get is the acceleration and full throttle maps both triggered during the test, ending up over-rich, affecting the horsepower. The other factor that needs to be taken into account is that DJ dynos assume that every vehicle has the same rotating mass - they don't - and that disregard is another reason why the hp conversion figures are different. The most accurate measurement of rear wheel horsepower is in Steady State Mode (inertia is not a factor in power equation.) The inertial mass changes on each car affects the DJ power, but not the true, rear wheel horsepower. There's another message in the above example, besides the average true, rear wheel horsepower to DJHP conversion factor - It's up to the more experienced reader to figure it out.

Chassis dyne HP, What is it? What to call it? DynoJet = "DJHP". It's not really proper to call "DJHP" "rwhp", as neither the Mustang, DynoJet, Fuchs, Superflow or Land and Sea will necessarily produce the same numbers as a DJ dyno, except by luck - and the whole idea of true, rear wheel horsepower is that EVERY dyno manufacturer HAS the capability to provide those numbers! The Superflow chassis dynes, the Mustang, Land and Sea are all capable of measuring power in steady state mode and producing the same numbers - they all measure torque. Torque x rpm / 5252 = horsepower. We've not diddled with physics! The only factor that is added to the measured reading, in true, rear wheel horsepower, is the additional energy (dyne parasitics) required to spin the dyno(s) roller to whatever speed the roller is turning at - logical, proper and required for any measuring instrument, torque x rpm / 5252 = horsepower + parasitic power = true, rear wheel horsepower.

Chassis dyne HP, What can inflate HP readings on a dyno, but not really make more engine power in the real world? A few things can affect HP when using inertia dynos (not a dyne in Steady State Mode) to measure power (what else would you do??:-): Changing to light, worn race rear tires will improve power output on an inertia dyno, but, not improve real world top speed. A heavier (brand new street) tire that replaced the above, light, worn tire, will decrease measured power on an inertia dyno, but not decrease real world top speed. Lighter wheels are a good thing! Better acceleration in lower gears, especially 1st and 2nd (accelerating less inertial mass!). Better handling is possible, too! Driving hard on worn, light tires is foolish and is not being recommended.

Problems with Inertia dyno test procedure and fuel injected vehicles: A Sweep Test (hold throttle wide open and sweep from low rpm to high rpm) will often trigger the Acceleration Fuel Map, along with the Main Fuel Map, causing the fuel mixture readings to indicate dyno operator that the motor is overly rich. This would cause the tuner to lean out the main fuel map. Of course, in the real world, upper gears, the acceleration rate of the engine is much slower than what they tested, doesn't trigger the Acceleration Fuel Map, and the engine ends up a lot leaner in reality in top gear. It's not that common of a problem, since most people never drive that fast for that long to cause engine damage. Work around: Tune full throttle fueling in real world usage at dragstrip (to best trap speed) or in Steady State Mode on different dyno.

You can optimize tuning for a DJ dyno and make big numbers - and you can tune the engine to make the best power under load on a load bearing dyno and blow off the big DJ dyno numbers. Can a tuner cheat and make a load bearing dyno read higher? The only way that could happen is in a Sweep Test - Sweep Tests are the least reliable of all tests, period. There is NO question about that. Since the Rotating Mass is a variable in a Sweep Test (NOT a Steady State Test!), the actual inertia factor entered affects the final HP figure - Tell the software that the vehicle has a lot of rotating mass to accelerate, and the HP number increases. (torque, rpm, acceleration rate and mass are the factors) - just like DJ dyno ignoring the difference in mass of all cars - So - true HP, again - Steady State Test - No acceleration, mass makes no difference, anymore. Torque, RPM and dyne parasitics. Period. True. Can you make a Steady State Test read higher? Really hard to do - The software will NOT take data unless speed and load are completely stable - eliminating cheating. As far as atmospheric conditions making a +/- 10% difference? Unless you REALLY mess with the barometric pressure (and you can look at every atmospheric factor on the test report sheet - it's hard coded to display - and not an option), it is simply, absolutely impossible to do without obvious evidence. Are final tuning optimal dyno settings different on an Inertia dyno vs. a load bearing dyno? For many reasons, final tune settings are different - and, since most load bearing dyno's will do both , there is a choice of tests - from a DJ style Sweep Test to Steady State. Having a choice of those types of tests to do and seeing what the results on the track are, most tuners will choose the Steady State Test over a Sweep Test. Without a doubt - the Steady State test Mode is the most consistently superior method of tuning - anybody who has the capability to do it will echo that sentiment - it's only an arguable point with those who can't do it properly. One of the reasons why the load bearing dyno will provide settings that work better in the real world is that combustion chamber temperatures are more in line with the actual operating temperatures that the engine.

Does altitude make any difference at all in horsepower? The engine couldn't give 2 hoots at what altitude it is tested at - it only cares what the air pressure, temperature and humidity is. Sea level at 28.02 inches baro is exactly the same as 4000 ft at 28.02 inches, as far as the engine is concerned. When tested at 5000 ft, we get virtually exactly the same power (corrected to atmospheric conditions, of course) as we do at sea level - It's just about 24%-25% less on the track! I am confused why some dyno operators insist on putting altitude on their charts and swear that it's a factor.

Crankshaft horsepower vs. true rear wheel horsepower. That's a tough one. As each vehicle is different, the best way is to dyno the engine and then dyno the vehicle to see exactly what the loss is. The best estimate I can give you based on experience and research is take crankshaft horsepower, subtract 14.5% ( search SAE ), take that, and subtract around 10% to 15% and you'll get about true horsepower at the rear wheels. The actual formula contains a curve for power loss through gears and there's another curve for power lost in a tire. Remember, too - that unless you dyno your engine you are only likely to get a crankshaft number from the manufacturer and that's probably a "good" one that the marketing department is providing.
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 08:07 AM
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thats a lottt of readingg....
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 08:28 AM
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Where can I get the Cliff notes?
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 08:55 AM
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Originally Posted by davidv
Where can I get the Cliff notes?
I'm working on a consolidated version for you guys. Just a lot of info there. The basic gist of this whole debate is that Dyno Tuning has really evolved over the past few years.

DynoJet & Mustang certainly gave tuners more visibility than ever before but there are so many flaws in the way inertia Dyno's act as a tuning device.

On the other hand, Dyno's like Dyno Dynamics & Dynopack have really taken the industry by storm. These Dyno's have the ability to tune cars under Real World conditions with amazing accuracy. For example, cars can now be tuned for the conditions they are used in; like autocross, street driving, or drag versus just being tuned at WOT. As we all know, most of us drive our cars in a variety of different situations and tuning for the wrong conditions really can have adverse side effect on the drivability of our cars.

Dyno Dynamics for example can simulate driving up a hill. These Dynos can also serve as not only a device for Tuning cars but also a device for troubleshooting transmission issues or partial throttle response conditions.

In all, load Dynos have revolutionized Dyno Tuning and can give enthusiasts a better tune than ever before.

Thanks and please let me know if you have any other questions.
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 09:02 AM
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Originally Posted by ZthirtyThr33
thats a lottt of readingg....
Again, sorry about that. I'm definitely working on it for you guys...
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 09:04 AM
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Ok, so your saying Dynapak is the best?? Im lost......

Rate the dyno.. pls.. What dyno best simulates hp.. and what dyno is best for tuning?
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 09:24 AM
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Originally Posted by jonb7007
Ok, so your saying Dynapak is the best?? Im lost......

Rate the dyno.. pls.. What dyno best simulates hp.. and what dyno is best for tuning?
Dynapack and Dyno Dynamics are both load Dyno's. And Yes, the argument above and that is basically held within the industry is that these Dyno's are FAR SUPERIOR to inertia Dynos.

Dynapack and Dyno Dynamics work to the same capacity...just preference.

In order to determine TRUE HP - Inertia Dyno's are consistent but terribly inflated and don't take into account all the factors that go into truly determining Real World HP. Basically, these Dyno's are good for getting an idea of what your car is making HP wise but above and beyond that they fall short. Major part manufactures like Apexi have switched from inertia Dynos to load Dynos like Dyno Dynamics and Dynatrak for just this reason.

I'm sure many of you have heard stories about Z Owners getting tuned on a Dynojet or Mustang and later getting tuned on a load dyno like Dyno Dynamics and end up making less HP on the Dyno Dynamics but seemingly their car not only seems faster but runs much better.
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 09:25 AM
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I read it all but dunno how much I absorbed lol. Interesting though.
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by saberphx
I read it all but dunno how much I absorbed lol. Interesting though.
Let me know if you have any questions, as I am happy to answer to the best of my knowledge.
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by MEDIA NLM
Dynapack and Dyno Dynamics are both load Dyno's. And Yes, the argument above and that is basically held within the industry is that these Dyno's are FAR SUPERIOR to inertia Dynos.

Dynapack and Dyno Dynamics work to the same capacity...just preference.

In order to determine TRUE HP - Inertia Dyno's are consistent but terribly inflated and don't take into account all the factors that go into truly determining Real World HP. Basically, these Dyno's are good for getting an idea of what your car is making HP wise but above and beyond that they fall short. Major part manufactures like Apexi have switched from inertia Dynos to load Dynos like Dyno Dynamics and Dynatrak for just this reason.

I'm sure many of you have heard stories about Z Owners getting tuned on a Dynojet or Mustang and later getting tuned on a load dyno like Dyno Dynamics and end up making less HP on the Dyno Dynamics but seemingly their car not only seems faster but runs much better.

Ok.. So for rwhp #'s go with a quick dynojet dyno or mustang.. And for tuning do a dynapak or dyno dynamics..... ?? Is this a good summation of your study's...
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by jonb7007
Ok.. So for rwhp #'s go with a quick dynojet dyno or mustang.. And for tuning do a dynapak or dyno dynamics..... ?? Is this a good summation of your study's...
Yes, you got it. Although, for the same money you can get a more accurate estimate of "rwhp#'s" with Dynapak or Dyno Dynamics...

I don't want to talk negatively about Dynojet or Mustang but there is certainly a trend in the US and especially in Europe with shops replacing their inertia dynos with load dynos like Dyno Dynamics or Dynapak...for reason like I have listed above.

Thanks!
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 09:50 AM
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Im looking for accuracy in rwhp #'s.. Bottom line what dyno has most accuracy?? You confused me when you say "Yes, you got it.." But then go to say that for a more accurate estimate of rwhp#'s go with Dynapak or dyno dynamics.. Pls confirm..
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by MEDIA NLM
Dynapack and Dyno Dynamics are both load Dyno's. And Yes, the argument above and that is basically held within the industry is that these Dyno's are FAR SUPERIOR to inertia Dynos.

Dynapack and Dyno Dynamics work to the same capacity...just preference.

In order to determine TRUE HP - Inertia Dyno's are consistent but terribly inflated and don't take into account all the factors that go into truly determining Real World HP. Basically, these Dyno's are good for getting an idea of what your car is making HP wise but above and beyond that they fall short. Major part manufactures like Apexi have switched from inertia Dynos to load Dynos like Dyno Dynamics and Dynatrak for just this reason.

I'm sure many of you have heard stories about Z Owners getting tuned on a Dynojet or Mustang and later getting tuned on a load dyno like Dyno Dynamics and end up making less HP on the Dyno Dynamics but seemingly their car not only seems faster but runs much better.
Your including a Mustang dyno as a inertia dyno which it is not . At least the one Ive ran on . It read on ave. of 11% lower than the DynoJet in the town 50 miles away . Both operators compared all the time .
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 10:35 AM
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Nice article. Load based dynos have been around for decades, and are very popular overseas. The DJ is most popular in the USA, and slowly, shops are either upgrading the DJ's to load based, or ditching them for another brand of load based dyno.
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by jonb7007
Im looking for accuracy in rwhp #'s.. Bottom line what dyno has most accuracy?? You confused me when you say "Yes, you got it.." But then go to say that for a more accurate estimate of rwhp#'s go with Dynapak or dyno dynamics.. Pls confirm..
Accuracy = Dyno Dynamics

Inaccuracy = Dynojet
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 10:39 AM
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https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....highlight=dyno

Simplified version of the information in that article I wrote years ago.
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 10:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Sharif@Forged
Nice article. Load based dynos have been around for decades, and are very popular overseas. The DJ is most popular in the USA, and slowly, shops are either upgrading the DJ's to load based, or ditching them for another brand of load based dyno.
Thanks Sharif for the comments!

Do you have another knowledge you can provide for us on the topic?

Thanks again--NLM
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by UnderPressure
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....highlight=dyno

Simplified version of the information in that article I wrote years ago.
This is definitely good when discussing how HP is converted and measured. Although, what can you comment on regarding the overall differences between the dynos (Load vs. Inertia)?

thx
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 10:43 AM
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Sounds almost like a sales pitch to me. Talk to a dynojet rep and see if they can't make a convincing argument for intertia based dynos.

I know some great tuners in my own area that tune hundreds of high powered imports a year that swear by inertia dynos vs load dynos. It depends on who you talk to.

I visited http://www.germanmotorcars.com/ and wasn't too impressed... These guys are the authorities in dynanometers but can't even put up a proper home page?
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