MS6 Dyno (the age old $$/hp question)

[mick_estes]

After dropping around $850 for power mods so far, I'm finally going to try to answer the $$/hp question for myself. Currently, I have ETS TMIC, Fujita CAI and SLS TP (power wise). I have plans to pick up the Cobb AP for another $700 later this fall. So over the next few months, I plan on getting three dynos as follows and compare gains:

#1 Modded Pre-AP: ETS/Fujita/SLS (done 9/25/08)
#2 Stock: Gutted airbox only (ETA Oct/Nov)
#3 Modded w/AP: ETS/SLS/Cobb AP probably won't use CAI per Cobb's recommendation (ETA Nov/Dec)

I'm working with a local Subie shop which has a Mustang dyno. For reference, shop owner says that stock STI puts down 220-230 awhp on this dyno. He also showed me a 318awhp dyno sheet for an STI that he tuned with water/meth injection, uppipe, intercooler and exhausts. Sounds like for STI's, there's a 23-26% delta between rated HP vs WHP. Based on what I've read this seems high to be all drivetrain loss (IIRC 15-20% is typical) but I'm a newbie to dynos - any opinions would be appreciated.

I will be posting details of each dyno below as I get them done. I just got my DashHawk and will try to get data logs for future Dynos too. Any suggestions on PID's to use would be appreciated.

Dyno #1 Modded Pre-AP (done 9/25/08)

Mods/Fuel

• ETS TMIC 3.25"
• Fujita CAI
• SLS TP
• Fuel: DIY 93 octane mix (3:5:1 mix of 100 race ga to 91 pump)

My Results

• 208awhp @5750
• 212lb-ft @ 4500

During Dyno

• Ambient temps mid 70's (per Dyno display)
• IAT showed 109 (per Dashhawk, checked once between runs)
• Pull done in 3^rd gear
• Fans: One on top of IC (hood up), one about 4 feet from grill and another huge fan at entrance to garage
• No AFR data (couldn'tclip to tailpipe due to beautyrings)
• Near end pull, there was strange sound from engine (sorta like pop-pop-pop, like when car studders during WOT shifting)

My Observations/Questions

• My HP/TQ curve don't seem to look like other MS6's that I've seen. For example, HP peaks at 5750 (just before throttle plate closes). IIRC, other MS6's peak around 4500rpm. The TQ curve seems shifted to the right. My TQ peaks at 4500; whereas, others seem to peak around 3000 and rolls off from there.
  • Do my curves look strange to anyone else?
  • Any ideas as to the cause? Is this a dyno issue or something with my car?
• My HP (208awhp) was lower than I was expecting for my mods. ETS should be good for 20ish and testpipe for 10ish. I know mods are not necessarily additive but this still seems low. Using 25% (based on STI's results on this dyno), that puts me basically at stock HP levels at the crank.
  • Am I being too optimistic about the power gains I should be seeing for my mods?
  • What is the drivetrain loss that folks are seeing with the MS6?

Dyno Chart

[MS6 P.C.]

Mustang dynos do tend to show lower numbers. From what I've heard. Your torque curve does look a little screwy. Normally peak tq is around 3K. Your around the right rpm for hp.

[mick_estes]

QUOTE (MS6 P.C. @ Sep 29 2008, 02:54 PM)

Mustang dynos do tend to show lower numbers. From what I've heard. Your torque curve does look a little screwy. Normally peak tq is around 3K. Your around the right rpm for hp.[/b]

Agreed on the TQ, most charts I've seen show a sharp rise around 3k-3.5k and then tapers down from there. Mine looks like it's missing that low end peak. I'm going to go searching the forum for some stock charts for comparison, if I get some time.