Dynamometer Results & Comparisons Dyno Records | Dyno Discussion | Dyno Wars

Troubleshooting low power on the dyno

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 20, 2012 | 06:43 PM
  #21  
SMOKINV8's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, IL
Default

Originally Posted by hellbents10
I would bet the turbine is too small for the combo. Also did you try more timing? The 5.3ls will take more timing then the 5.7s and 6ls. That is the reason the graph is wavy and the engine doesn't seem happy yet.
Thanks for weighing in here, I know you've got a lot of experience with boosted 5.3's.

We didn't get crazy with it, but he only picked up around 4rwhp with 1 more degree of timing. We quit there since that's not on par with where the gains should have been if it was happy. I'm not saying it couldn't handle more, we never saw any knock anywhere, and the knock sensors were tested and working. Perhaps that backs up the theory of the exhaust housing being too small?
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2012 | 10:27 AM
  #22  
Booztd 3's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Default

Had a talk with some turbo guys here at work and one of them is thinking that the wastegate spring is potentially too "soft" for the application. The wastegate opens and over compensates and then enters a cyclic pattern of over/under correction.

After that conversation, I went into the datalog from the street and I can see (upwards of) a 5kPa swing and what appears to be some cycling of pressure.



The guy I talked to earlier suggested moving to a smaller wastegate to combat the "waves" were seeing on the dyno. The frustrating part is that its unlikely that will do much for my low power issue.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2012 | 01:36 PM
  #23  
n97240's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Default

Thats where i was going with asking what spring was in the gate.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2012 | 01:49 PM
  #24  
Booztd 3's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Default

Its got two springs in it from Tial that equate to 10psi, which is inline with what we see. I can tell you that it doesnt feel "soft" when putting the wastegate back together after putting the springs in.

One thing I am curious about is still the intercooler being a restriction. I am pulling the wastegate reference line post-IC. If the IC acted as a restriction it could potentially pulse air which could in turn pulse the wastegate - somewhat of a cyclic pattern.

I've been thinking about moving the wastegate reference line to pre-IC just to see how it reacts
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2012 | 02:48 PM
  #25  
MaxxMitchell's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Shawnee KS
Default

MAP holds steady, so its not a boost issue in my eyes. The waviness does look like it wants more timing, or has a valve spring issue.. I would not recommend adding more timing on pump gas.

If you can try a different turbo, you may want to try that as well. On similar builds with a 76mm turbo, it will usually pull smooth to 58-6000 using a manifold kit like what you have. And that is using the basic LS9 HGs, LS6 style cam, but always with dual valve springs vs the single 918s. On one where the springs had some miles the power curve looked similar to what you have, changed out the worn out dual gold springs for new ones and the power jumped back up gaining over 100rwhp.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2012 | 02:56 PM
  #26  
Booztd 3's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by MaxxMitchell
MAP holds steady, so its not a boost issue in my eyes. The waviness does look like it wants more timing, or has a valve spring issue.. I would not recommend adding more timing on pump gas.

If you can try a different turbo, you may want to try that as well. On similar builds with a 76mm turbo, it will usually pull smooth to 58-6000 using a manifold kit like what you have. And that is using the basic LS9 HGs, LS6 style cam, but always with dual valve springs vs the single 918s. On one where the springs had some miles the power curve looked similar to what you have, changed out the worn out dual gold springs for new ones and the power jumped back up gaining over 100rwhp.
Any way to validate whether or not I have a valve spring issue? Not sure if a simple compression/leakdown is going to give me the data I want

Additionally, I'm at a crossroads with the turbo. I'm not aware of anyone that has a "test" unit I could at least try out which means shelling out coin for a new turbo, and then deciding if I even want to go down the "chinese manufactured" route again
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:27 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE