Dynoed!

Finally! I know EXACTLY how much testosterone my car has...and attesting to the surprised/disbelieving look on Joe's face, more than Joe's six cylinder Z3... I had an opportunity to take my car into HMS Motorsport for some dyno testing.

For the longest time, I've been wondering how much horsepower and torque my car(s) actually had. Haven't you been plagued by the same questions? Haven't you also lost sleep at night over this; just wondering how much extra horsepower your modifications have given your car? Or worse, have NOT given your car? Didn't you ever wonder if your "seat of the pants" dyno (also known as butt dyno) was right? Well, I've found this out for myself.

First, let me describe the Dynojet Dynamometer setup at HMS. You back up your car onto this ramp. For you front-wheel drivers, I'd assume that you'd drive straight onto the ramp. The ramp elevates to another level about 4 feet above the ground. You then move the driven wheels onto what looks like a barrel. The car is carefully (I made sure of this) strapped down to prevent it from moving around while the driven wheels are spinning the barrels. Connections are made to the engine compartment to determine rpms (I think). Temperature settings are made to calibrate the dyno. All measured hp and torque are corrected to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This setup takes about 15 minutes or so. Then, you fire the engine up, take it to 4th gear (for my car), and put the pedal to the metal! The dyno computer then starts taking the measurement.

My 1995 325iS is equipped with a chip, K&N filter, M3 Exhaust and a ram air setup (european snorkel, but not the whole airbox). Before I had the ram air setup, I found that the K&N filter made the car "feel" faster. When I added the ram air, I couldn't tell the difference between the stock air filter and the K&N filter.

So guess what? The dyno proved this! The dyno confirmed that there wasn't much of a difference between the K&N filter and the stock air filter when the car was equipped with the ram air setup. Further, my hp guesstimations based on how the car felt was close to the actual hp rating! I guess all this means is that I have a sensitive butt dyno... Seriously though, I feel soo much better knowing that the investment in the modifications DID make a difference. So now, I can sleep...

Cheers,
Armand

October 1997 BIMMER

Editorial: Dynoed! by Armand Aquino

Reflections From the Hood: My Exit Ramp Is Approaching by Joe Marko

What's Happening: Golf Is On! by Mike Webb

October 1997 New Members by Barry Tarr

A Wife's Eye-View From Mt. Tremblant by Linda Friedman

Frankfurt Auto Show by Joe Marko

Welcome to The Gallery! by Ed Reynolds

Third Quarter General Meeting by Mike Webb

Boston Chapter Wins NEGP Chapter Challenge by Fred Beck

August 1997 Board Meeting Minutes by Espen Frank

More Boston Bimmer articles by Armand Aquino

The Wheel Bending and Reconditioning Process September 2000 Bimmer

Editorial: Happy Trails! November/December 1997 BIMMER

Editorial: Summer Ending September 1997 BIMMER

Editorial: Driving School Debate July/August 1997 BIMMER

Editorial: New Deadline; Classifieds June 1997 BIMMER

There are 4 more Boston Bimmer articles by Armand Aquino