Let's keep this on topic with racing/cars. Personal attacks will not be tolerated. We're all adults here, lets behave as such.

The track is a good way to but to a point.

How will a track tell you how much power an engine generates?

-Alex

My bad misread what you typed.

I figured you did, no worries :).

-Alex

He is using the tried and true way of measuring performance by using track data. Datalogging, ET's, MPH, 0-60, shifts, temps, etc.

WBT is correct in saying that dyno results mean very little. How the car performs in it's intended envoirment is really the only proper way to determine accurate results.

Some of us old folk were doing this long before the use of dynos were the norm. I use to tune my blower cars the old fashion way with a timing light, reading plugs, fuel pressure and checking tire prints. We had no idea (nor did we care) what the car made at the tires. It was how the car performed.

Now that dynos are everywhere and technology is common place that most people don't know how to work on their cars anymore without a programmer in their hands that the dyno numbers have become more about bragging rights or measuring how a car "should" run.

It happens all the time a car makes great power on the dyno and doesn't run like it should according to what one thinks it should. Same goes for the other way, some cars dyno like ass but run like a scalded ape on the street.

It all comes down to a solid tune, a proper set up and a driver who knows how to optimize all of it to take advantage of it.

No need for this info.

Yet I crushed a car that runs the same mph that makes less power then me. I'm pretty sure I would pick up mph if I was able to launch the car at higher rpms instead of at 3k rpms.

He sure does cause he is only quoting me now and no one else. I must be his type. LOL:hitit:

What about measuring horsepower and torque(which is what this thread is about)?

-Alex

It does to an extent. If you have ever been to ffw you will see everyone of the guys running fast cars with their lab tops out after every race adjusting crap. The dyno is generally a base line but for true tuning you need to data log on the street or track and adjust from there. That's where you will get your best tune for all around performance.

No need for this info.

For future reference, can I expect the same arbitrary commentary if another two similar parts are being compared for measuring power output?

-Alex

Yes, the original topic was comparing the two intakes to see which performed better. Where it went astray is difference of opinions of different driving/racing preferences.

You mentioned dynos. Dynos are merely a tool to get a car tuned. But guys like WBT are constantly tinkering with their own tunes to optimize the set up for the track. Where the dyno subject loses focus is where people use the dyno as a measuring stick for performance. Peak numbers mean SQUAT.

Dyno numbers can be manipulated in many ways on a dyno be it settings, load or whatever else have you. A number of other things can effect it as well, weather, trans type, gearing, convertors and so on.

Just because car A makes more power than car B, doesn't mean its faster. There are other factors involved, suspension, weight, driving style, auto vs manual and so on. There is FAR more to it all than just peak dyno numbers.

This is post #7 on the first page.

Yup.

-Alex