Dynomometer Plots (Last update: 06/03/2005)
I will be posting dynomometer plots for my car below in the order in which they are taken to show the cumulative performance gains (if any) that I achieve from each modification.
Baseline Dyno Run - 09/11/2004
I took my car for the first dynomometer run at The Dyno Shop in Santee, CA. I was able to jump in on a "Dyno Day" and get two runs for for $40. This dyno plot shows the motor's performance in stock configuration and establishes the baseline for comparing any further performance gains I can achieve. After 11 years of use, I was mildly surprised to find that my car still easily achieved the factory torque and horsepower ratings for a "new" engine. My car posted 136.2 ft-lbs (peak) and 139.9 HP (peak) at the wheels.
Phenolic Spacers and Converter and Catback Upgrade - 06/03/05.
This next set of dyno runs was done at Extreme Motorsports in Odenton, MD. I got three runs for $80.
I had hoped to do these two runs separately to "verify" the individual manufacturers' claims, but the timing of my move from San Diego to Annapolis forced me to replace my converter and cat-back and discard the originals before I could get a dyno run with the spacers alone.
The phenolic spacers are a "minor" modification, but Outlaw Engineering is claiming some pretty impressive performance gains... 12.5 ft-lbs torque and 8.7 HP. The wider exhaust should also give me a few extra HP, but without the new matching 2 1/2" in headers on I'm not sure how much I'll get. In the end, I posted 143.3 ft-lbs (peak) and 141.9 HP (peak) at the wheels; a peak increase of 7.1 ft-lbs and 2.0 HP. But across the low band up to 5500 RPM, it looks like I was able to gain anywhere from 5 to 15 ft-lbs and from 5 to 10 HP. For what little mods I've done, I think I can call that a satisfactory gain.
Headers Upgrade - Coming soon.
My first really major power upgrade are the stainless steel headers from SSAutochrome.
(Post plot here)
Cold Air Intake Upgrade - Coming soon.
This would be the last of the intake/exhaust mods. I'm not really considering turbo or super charging unless I can also swap my KL03 motor for a KLZE.
(Post plot here)
