Has anyone truly compared performance results before and after their changes? I’ve read about “track prep” where the front light is removed, modification of exhaust, Cold Air Intake, tuner software, and so on, but wonder what real difference it makes compared to dollars spent.

Obviously tuning with the 10-20 HP is going to make a difference, but I’m curious what the gains translate into on a dyno, track or even MPG.

The only dyno runs I’ve seen where after a bunch of things were changed or published by someone selling a product.

Thanks.

 

I don't think any of us have dynoed pre- and post-mods. I haven't even dynoed yet, but meant to way back when i first got her, just to get an idea where she stood initially. Most people that have dynoed stock have shown that you get approx 242-245hp and 268-275tq. I would think that you could use that as an OEM baseline for comparison purposes.

I agree it would be helpful to see what some of these mods are really worth. I'm running the K&N and MagnaFlow exhaust and would like to know what they've actually done for me. The SOYP dyno says the $800 investment made a great improvement, but real numbers may tell me otherwise. Won't know until i do it, though, and that likely won't be soon. The dynos around here are expensive at around $125 per hour/3-runs.

 

I also figured dyno time was high dollar, I was hoping for anything like track times. I'm very curious to know the difference when just the headlight is pulled. Once Spring gets here I'll do that myself.

Every manufacture claims a certain gain, I’m sure most of which are inflated. I remember watching an old Hot Rod show where they did headers, full performance exhaust, under drive pulleys, chip and something else, but the total for all that amounted to about 30-35 WHP. I can’t remember the car, but think it was an older V8 199x Impala. The total RWHP after everything was done came in at about 240.

Thanks.

 

My fist time at the track I ran a 14.09 at 99 mph with only a tune from vector. Installed a catless down pipe and went to a diff slippery track and with 60 ft .3 slower (yes .3 believe it or not) ran a 14.15 at 100 mph. I would hope those numbers mean the down pipe did something. The temp was about the same. Humidity, I don't know. It was very windy at the slippery track though, it actually caused delays. While at the slippery track I took the driver side head light asm out. I'm sorry to say no noticeable diff at all. Two runs with it in and three with it out. 60 ft times were all within .002 of each other and best time was with headlight installed.

 

One other note, all the runs with just the tune resulted in 99.xx mph and at the slippery track all runs were 100.xx mph.

 

stock
13.89@97
modded, well intake, ecm, mufflers
13.70@100

dyno? it varies a lot, highest on motor was 259
highest on added power was 360.

my dyno charts have been from 229 hp all the way up to 360. huge variation in power on the dyno. im fighting issues right now that only seem to affect me on the dyno.

 

SilverLS4, thanks for the headlight info. When I installed the CAI box it looked to me like the area in front of and around the air box was plenty large enough to flow the air this motor would need. Are you running the stock air box? I’m hoping that the insulation in mine will help keep the IAT down in the summer. I was pleased that the added sound was noticeable but not obnoxious like the K&N setup in my truck. It definitely roars when you hit it.

Area47, was your 229 stock? If so, I think 13.89 is really respectable for that HP. Must have had a good launch. I’m going to have to find a dyno shop and get the Impala and my LT1 read. I'll remove the tune on the SS and get a reading with just the CAI and then load the 93 tune to see how much the gain I actually got for the $300 it cost me.

On the street the tires just smoke and I can't wait to get to the track. I'm used to RWD so it surprised me a bit the first time smoke came in the drivers window. I love the Z but am enjoying the SS a bunch. My short commute has me jumping on the highway for about ten miles and I need to settle down a bit on the entrance ramp. This car really jumps to 85+ quicker than it seems. I've shot out in front of troopers a couple times and don't need the extra insurance cost.

BTW, I saw your vid. I can't beleive you all get away with that.

 

The only mods are the down pipe and tune. Everything else is stock. I just got a shift kit for it and with the insight from Area 47 will relocate and change the iat sensor. Then back to the track in April (Norwalk, the good track).

 

no, the 229 was a couple days ago, trq was 263. it was wierd, the ecm was stuck in low octane mode, reset it, jumped to 240. cleaned the mas, 250. it was really freakin cold that day too. so that does have some effect on it. the a.f would not come below 13.5 so all the timing was being pulled. goofy day for the car really. the same night i walked a 350z. so i have no idea whats going on.

silver. if you need any help {which you gave me for the idea in the first place} lemmie know man!

 

dyno #s are for bragging, you can only guess at how fast it might be on the street. Whats it run in the 1/4 and what mph is what i look for in gauging how much stones a certain car has.

My camaro 3 years ago made 390/375 cam only... ran 11.47 @ 120 like that weighing 3400 lbs and had a 1.5 60ft... Then there are heads and cam cars that made 430 that i would wax from a roll too on motor... like by 2 cars!

1200 rwhp supra's run 11's lol cuz they arent really drag cars... So to me... its impressive, but its just a big, shiney 18" ****... that cant get hard! Why have it?

Thats why i own a shirt from this site that says "DYNO RACING SUCKS"

 

Interesting analogy.

No question about bragging rights and you do need to drive it well on the street or track to get the most out of it. I wouldn’t want anything that only gives top end power when I’m not going to be able to use it. That’s another reason I like to know what really works together to get the best overall increase. Guessing is just too expensive.

 

Except that my buddies supra with 650hp at the rear wheels runs 11s.. .

The last Supra I saw running 1000+ horsepower was down in the 6s. . .

Still can't be a vette and the beautiful small block for best power to weight and cheapest to build

 

To date: I have replaced cat and Down pipe, o2sim.,CAI,MAF,Predator 93 octane no dod tune, zzperformance shift kit and I am waiting for magnaflow to sell the exhaust.

the two items I noticed the biggest difference was; the cat and down pipe and the tune. the shift kit made a big difference during WOT or on a forced downshift. I guess at this point I have hit the wall with what to do next. I am willing to try anything.

 

What did you do with the MAF?

 

You got everything I was going to do on your list. I still need to do the Hogan DP and tune. I have the exhaust on already. My car feels pretty strong now, so I'm looking forward to the DP and the tune. I think I'll stop after them, and wait for the industry to catch up.

Until we can get a cam in there that will climb I think that's it on motor for now.