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% of power loss through drive train?

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Old May 14, 2008 | 04:01 PM
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Default % of power loss through drive train?

If I get 400 rwhp through 373 gears what should it be at the crank?
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Old May 14, 2008 | 04:02 PM
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Auto 15-17% or stick 10-15%
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Old May 14, 2008 | 06:00 PM
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Drivetrain loss will be a bit more for the 3.73 gears than through the stock gears.
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Old May 14, 2008 | 10:23 PM
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According to Mallett Cars, which did my conversion, they figure driveline loss at 17% for manual and 22% for auto. My car hits about 388 rwhp on the dyno, and is rated at about 500ghp @ crank. That's 388/.78 = 497.44, so that's pretty close. Numbers listed above are too conservative.
So, 400rwhp should be about 512hp for auto and 481 for manual.

Last edited by 99mallett; May 14, 2008 at 10:26 PM.
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Old May 15, 2008 | 12:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Lakesvette
If I get 400 rwhp through 373 gears what should it be at the crank?
For a 6 speed about 450 based on a C5 Z but that would adjust slightly up if you are running a heavy wheel/tire comb.
It isn't a fixed percentage. Most of the loss is due to the weight of the reciprocating mass you are spinning which doesn't increase as the engine output increases. Only frictional losses change.
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Old May 15, 2008 | 02:14 AM
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Originally Posted by 99mallett
400rwhp should be about 512hp for auto and 481 for manual.
Thats a LOT of loss
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Old May 15, 2008 | 07:43 AM
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Years ago we did a drivetrain loss test on a dyno. If I remember correctly after a dyno run I had to let the car wind down on its own and not hit the brake for the dyno. When this was taking place the dyno had the software to read such a thing.

On my 6 speed with 3.73 gears it was only 8.5% drive train loss. If this is true, Chevrolet did wonders for allowing us to put more HP to the ground.
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Old May 15, 2008 | 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by 99mallett
According to Mallett Cars, which did my conversion, they figure driveline loss at 17% for manual and 22% for auto. My car hits about 388 rwhp on the dyno, and is rated at about 500ghp @ crank. That's 388/.78 = 497.44, so that's pretty close. Numbers listed above are too conservative.
So, 400rwhp should be about 512hp for auto and 481 for manual.
22% is way to high. That would translate into a 2000 coupe putting 273 RWHP to the ground. That means my 2000, which puts 302 RWHP (stock) to the ground would make my engine close to 390 crank HP. Ahh no.
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Old May 15, 2008 | 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by vetterdstr
Years ago we did a drivetrain loss test on a dyno. If I remember correctly after a dyno run I had to let the car wind down on its own and not hit the brake for the dyno. When this was taking place the dyno had the software to read such a thing.
The chassis dynos the have at the Bosch shops in Germany had that capability. And thats exactly how they performed that test.

Last edited by edcmat-l1; May 15, 2008 at 12:45 PM.
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Old May 15, 2008 | 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by 99mallett
According to Mallett Cars, which did my conversion, they figure driveline loss at 17% for manual and 22% for auto. My car hits about 388 rwhp on the dyno, and is rated at about 500ghp @ crank. That's 388/.78 = 497.44, so that's pretty close. Numbers listed above are too conservative.
So, 400rwhp should be about 512hp for auto and 481 for manual.
A C6 Z06 makes 505 at the FW, and about 443 at the wheels on my DJ. That comes out to 12/12.5% using your math above. Right about what I believe to be so.
Also, if you run these autos with the converter locked, the auto trans equation goes out the window. You can then assume a loss very similar to a manual.
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Old May 15, 2008 | 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by 99mallett
According to Mallett Cars, which did my conversion, they figure driveline loss at 17% for manual and 22% for auto. My car hits about 388 rwhp on the dyno, and is rated at about 500ghp @ crank. That's 388/.78 = 497.44, so that's pretty close. Numbers listed above are too conservative.
So, 400rwhp should be about 512hp for auto and 481 for manual.
And you're believing them because you spent alot of money, right?
Stock C5Zs, rated @ 405HP typically run about 350 RWHP, so can't we assume a 55hp drivetrain loss? And why would this loss increase as power is raised via modding? I think percentages are just a VERY rough guide to use, and even dyno readings have huge variances.
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