C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Disappointing Dyno results

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 24, 2012 | 07:48 PM
  #1  
vet4me's Avatar
vet4me
Thread Starter
Racer
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Valley City ohio
Default Disappointing Dyno results

I've got a 2000 A4 with a Vararam intake. After much research and debate,I bought a set of Kooks headers and mid pipe.After having them installed and a re-tune,the end result was a 6hp gain!! I had the car tuned at the same place 2yrs ago.They are a reputable performance shop that does alot of performance work on vettes.I expected at least a 10-15hp gain.
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2012 | 07:56 PM
  #2  
Paul 75 L82's Avatar
Paul 75 L82
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 25
From: Blue Ridge Georgia
Default

Does it feel like more than 6 HP?
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2012 | 10:00 PM
  #3  
98DC231's Avatar
98DC231
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 491
Likes: 38
Default

did you do pulls just prior to the mods and right after?

If the tune is 2 years old, you could need wires, plugs and other things that could be holding you back.

That's a lot of money to spend for a 3% gain.
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2012 | 01:08 AM
  #4  
baxsom's Avatar
baxsom
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
Default

are you still running the 2000 intake?
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2012 | 02:41 AM
  #5  
C5Natie's Avatar
C5Natie
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 136
From: SoCal CA
Default

Headers wont give a huge gain on a stock motor. You need to make more power, which means taking in more air resulting in more exhaust gases, to see bigger gains from exhaust mods.
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2012 | 03:17 AM
  #6  
RonSSNova's Avatar
RonSSNova
Safety Car
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,439
Likes: 406
From: Portland OR
Default

Hopefully 1 3/4" headers, right? Not 1 7/8.
On a stone stock engine, I bet 1 5/8 would do better, but no one makes them. Std SB Chevs never needed 1 3/4 till the power got up there a ways.
I think hard to tell from a 2 y/o dyno comparison.

Do you have a comparison of the complete curves? Max numbers rarely tell the whole story.

Ron
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2012 | 08:45 AM
  #7  
ggroller's Avatar
ggroller
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 759
Likes: 22
From: Slatington PA
Default

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe the horsepower gains of a Vararam can be substantiated on a dyno. You need to be driving down the down with air flowing through it to notice the gains.
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2012 | 09:01 AM
  #8  
vet4me's Avatar
vet4me
Thread Starter
Racer
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Valley City ohio
Default

Originally Posted by 98DC231
did you do pulls just prior to the mods and right after?

If the tune is 2 years old, you could need wires, plugs and other things that could be holding you back.

That's a lot of money to spend for a 3% gain.
37000 miles new plugs.They did 5 pulls
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 25, 2012 | 09:15 AM
  #9  
dougbfresh's Avatar
dougbfresh
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Default

I always thought most of these "mods" on a stock motor were a black hole for $$$$, guess this proves it.

Bet you could have put a 100hp bottle on it for 1/2 the $$$'s you've already dropped on the mods you've made.
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2012 | 10:12 AM
  #10  
KCvetteowner's Avatar
KCvetteowner
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 5
From: Overland Park KS
Default

Don't take this personally because there are a lot of people on forums who post only their max hp values and ask why didn't they gain more??

Here are some things you should consider when looking at the ENTIRE dyno graph.

1) You could have gained 15 hp from 2k-3k rpm but since it's not the maximum HP/TQ you just ignored it.
2) You don't mention TQ how much TQ did you gain?
3) What does your Air/Fuel ratio look like along your dyno graph?

Can you post the before and after graphs???
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2012 | 10:20 AM
  #11  
mchicia1's Avatar
mchicia1
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 9
From: Morrisville PA
Default

Originally Posted by KCvetteowner
Don't take this personally because there are a lot of people on forums who post only their max hp values and ask why didn't they gain more??

Here are some things you should consider when looking at the ENTIRE dyno graph.

1) You could have gained 15 hp from 2k-3k rpm but since it's not the maximum HP/TQ you just ignored it.
2) You don't mention TQ how much TQ did you gain?
3) What does your Air/Fuel ratio look like along your dyno graph?

Can you post the before and after graphs???
+1

When you are accelerating, you aren't just at 6k rpms the whole time . The average gain of power under your racing powerband (4500-redline) is the most important number.
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2012 | 11:53 AM
  #12  
chaase's Avatar
chaase
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
Default

Originally Posted by baxsom
are you still running the 2000 intake?


I always forget the year/timing of the change over, but if it is one of the years with the LS1 intake you will not be getting enough air into the engine to take advantage of the extra exhaust flow.
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2012 | 12:37 PM
  #13  
bikerjim2000's Avatar
bikerjim2000
Pro
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 507
Likes: 0
From: Country Of Mind
Default stock mufflers?

stock c5 muffs? Time for some ZO6 ti's! And I think 01 was when the ls6 intake was used...

Last edited by bikerjim2000; Apr 25, 2012 at 12:38 PM. Reason: intk
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2012 | 02:08 PM
  #14  
1powdercoater's Avatar
1powdercoater
Racer
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 397
Likes: 33
From: Campton Hills, Illinois
Default Bull

Hello,
I did the following mods to my bone stock 2002 Z last month. Vararam, TB by Shaner, Mail in tune by ECS and LG streets.
Now I've never had it tuned before but the difference is very very noticable.
This is not only me comparing it but my wife and two teenage sons agree the thing honks now. I don't know what the HP increase may have been but to be honest I don't care.
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2012 | 02:18 PM
  #15  
baxsom's Avatar
baxsom
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
Default

Originally Posted by dougbfresh
I always thought most of these "mods" on a stock motor were a black hole for $$$$, guess this proves it.

Bet you could have put a 100hp bottle on it for 1/2 the $$$'s you've already dropped on the mods you've made.
One disappointing dyno proves nothing. There are many many more here that say long tubes do a lot better than 6hp
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2012 | 02:52 PM
  #16  
Allthrottleandsomebottle's Avatar
Allthrottleandsomebottle
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,935
Likes: 26
From: Lackey, my own dragstrip VA.
Virginia Events Coordinator
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
NCM Ambassador
Default

The dyno is just another tool not the final word..........
My 2000 A4 with just a tune, FLP 1 3/4 headers & x- pipe, PRT catback and CAI dynoed .........310 on a good day

but

BEST TIMES W/ 275/40/17 Nitto 555R street tires @ Richmond Dragway 11/9/03 60'=1.91, 1/8=8.05 @89.32mph, 1/4=12.47 @ 111.91MPH (3,470 lbs. race ready)
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2012 | 02:58 PM
  #17  
dougbfresh's Avatar
dougbfresh
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Default

Originally Posted by baxsom
One disappointing dyno proves nothing. There are many many more here that say long tubes do a lot better than 6hp
Many of these kind of mads make the car louder giving people the illusion of power. Many times it moves the power curve a little or maybe adds a few hp. Still seems like a lot of $$$ for minimal upside. Better ways to make power.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Disappointing Dyno results

Old Apr 25, 2012 | 03:36 PM
  #18  
87SAM's Avatar
87SAM
Safety Car
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,386
Likes: 689
From: Boise ID
Default

What were the numbers and what kind of dyno?
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2012 | 03:38 PM
  #19  
DOUG @ ECS's Avatar
DOUG @ ECS
Premium Supporting Vendor
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,599
Likes: 1,224
From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
Default

Originally Posted by 1powdercoater
Hello,
I did the following mods to my bone stock 2002 Z last month. Vararam, TB by Shaner, Mail in tune by ECS and LG streets.
Now I've never had it tuned before but the difference is very very noticable.
This is not only me comparing it but my wife and two teenage sons agree the thing honks now. I don't know what the HP increase may have been but to be honest I don't care.


Glad to hear your happy with the results from our mail order tune!

Thanks!!
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2012 | 03:38 PM
  #20  
1powdercoater's Avatar
1powdercoater
Racer
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 397
Likes: 33
From: Campton Hills, Illinois
Default yeah rt

Sometimes I just don't know why I comment on topics. Some responses just defy logic.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:31 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE