I'll post the facts, speedlimit will most likely post the story and details to go along with this.

We used a Road Dyno tool to Dyno a stock EVO. The Road dyno is basically like a real chasis dyno, except that you accelerate the actual car on a flat road instead of spinning the rollers in one place. I have been using this tool for over 2 years and have found it to be extremely reliable and consitent from one run to the other. Neither I or speedlimit is associated with any tuners. This is a complete unbiased, independent test performed by two enthusiaists that do not have any formal automotive engineering trianing, have no sponsors and have nothing to loose or gain by posting good/bad data (depending how you view it).

As we mod our cars, we will be doing more independent before and after tests.

We ran into some technical difficulties as it was the first time the driver used this tool. So we only got 2 runs recorded but attempted about 6. (driver needs some more practice

TEST INPUT:
Weight: 3263 + 360 (persons) + 78 (gas) = 3701
Final Drive: 4.529
Test Gear: 3rd - 1.407
Drag Coef.: 0.36
Frontal Area: 2.318 m^2
Tire Size: 235/45/17
Temp: 55F
R/H: 64%
Baro: 30.05 In
Elevation: 20m
Gas: 94 Octane
Car Condition: warmed up to regular operating temps

TEST RESULTS (All numbers are at the wheels):



JUST FOR FUN:

 

The Road Dyno is a tuning tool with enough resolution to provide accurate feedback relative to gains/losses from modifications. For those who are interested in the theory and cost of a Road Dyno go here:

http://www.microsmith.co.uk/rd/dyno.htm

These are baseline numbers for my EVO that we will use to evaluate modifications and should not be compared to other EVO's using different dyno's. We will do additional baseline runs on a warmer day. The intercooler spray was off for all runs since outside temp was 55F. These runs were made in 3rd gear from 2000 to 7000 rpms. If you look at the graphs you'll note I hit the toggle switch late both times, plus I turned off the recorder on one run which wiped the data for 3 others. Doh..! (Sorry xtntc!)

Here is how we conducted the test:

We used the inductive pickup to get a "pulse". Took about 5 minutes to hook up the sensor; just remove the spark plug cover and clamp the sensor onto a spark plug wire. Run the cable from the pickup over to the passenger side and connect to the control box. Xtnct acted as my safety observer concerning traffic and instructor for proper test methods. The idea is to find a flat stretch of road, get into third at 2000 rpm then hit the toggle switch to "record" and WOT until redline. At redline, hit toggle switch back to stndby. (3 position). That's it.

Advantages of Road Dyno:
1. The dynamics of intercooler airflow are not simulated by a fan.
2. There are no dyno or roller losses.
3. It's cheap. ($150.00)
4. Good resolution

Disadvantages of Road Dyno:
1. Does not give immediate feedback. It is trial and error tuning. Make a change, hit the road.
2. Requires patience (other cars on the road etc) and discipline to ensure consistent results. (xtnct is fussy! ).
3. Might get a speeding ticket.

This is a good alternative to owners who do not have access to AWD dyno's or to cheap to use one or just like doing it themselves. As we mod our cars, we'll post our plus/minuses and see how they compare to vendor claims. A Road Dyno and datalogger should allow owner tuners to make knowledgeable adjustments to our cars. I am surprise how closely the graphs match other dyno shapes for other EVOs and my butt dyno.

Edit: 2033 miles on the car.

Speedlimit…

 

This is a really cool system. .. Are the numbers in line with what's expected? In addition, it's appears to be useful in performance up grades. I guess the only draw backs are in finding a nice clear streatch of road for testing.

 

ttt

 

i've got one like that too... Mine does 1/4 mile, and measures g-forces for accell and cornering too..
they're pretty fun little toys, definately good for baseline

 

Hi,

If you have not gone to the Road Dyno website, I would recommend reading the theory and use! Also, my dyno numbers are in the middle of the pack from Vishnu, Buschur and Pruven Performance, but again an absolute comparison is meaningless. The Road Dyno is a great tool for measuring bolt-on effectiveness and tuning that does not require small adjustments on the edge of safety. (i.e. dialing in lean AFR's).

We are starting to see confusing and even conflicting HP claims from different dyno's and vendors. As an example, one tuner claims little if any HP gain without ANY exhaust piping, while another shows as much as 30hp gain with a larger 3" exhaust attached. Road Dyno's may offer a method of sorting some of this out. If a few groups of EVO owners across the country pooled together $50.00 bucks each (3 owners) and did baseline runs on their stock EVO's, we could compare our results with other EVO owners using the SAME dyno.

Anyone else interested in tinkering with the Road Dyno's? We could probably get a little better price below $150.00 by buying 4 or 5 of them. A nice data base of 10 or 15 stock EVO's would give us a lot to talk about and could be an interesting community study, plus you could learn a lot about your cars tuning.

Speedlimit........

 

I'd say that those numbers are what I'd expect to see... Every dyno is a little different, and there is some margin of error.. but if you are disciplined, and get enough runs to establish a baseline to work from (including several different days and temps) you shoud at least have a way to measure your tuning efforts.. and that is all that really matters.. Figure this tool, and OBD2 logger, and some tuning hardware (MBC/EBC and AFC) and you could technically tune every time before you go to the track or out for a cruise.. Hey, get an in-car computer or a way to mount a laptop so it won't fall over, and you could test and tune all day long without ever getting out of your car. (I picked up a laptop mount used in police cars and cross country navigation that bolts to your seat mounts, and unclips out of the way when not in use.)

 

These numbers/curves are very close to what I got using a $100,000 Mustang Dyno (Supposedly the most accurate dyno available).

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...t=MUSTANG+DYNO

I am not selling anything eithier, after seeing this I will probably get one of these Road Dyno's also. All of these high priced fancy machines are trying to simulate real world road conditions, with this you don't have to simulate anything .

Thanks for the info.

 

Malibujack... Can you post pictures of your laptop mount, clipped and unclipped for us to see?

 

Good! It will be interesting to see how your results compare. The cost is less than two hours on most dyno's and you get to keep the dyno! If we get enough interest, we'll setup a short bench-mark and test standard.

Speedlimit......

 

What kind do you have? Do you have a web link?

 

Just an FYI on using the road dyno. Make sure that you use the same road and that it is flat (no hills) and has very few bumps. I have seen power spikes when the car hops over a bump. You don't want these on the graph. Also, make at least 2 runs, each in the opposite direction. If they are off more than about 2hp, you have either bad conditions (ie lots of head wind) or a bad, non-flat road. It could also be your car running inconsitant, but you can verify by making 6-8 runs and comparing them to the direction you were going in.

Be safe!!!! Do it in very low traffic hours and areas. Get a friend to be an extra set of eyes when you are fooling around with the toy. It is just as dangerous as trying to dial your phone while driving. Use common sense! I don't want to see a thread on here "caused an accident while using road dyno".

 

Have any of you guys tried the Dyno Plus Data Logger product from this company. I am wondering if it combines the Road Dyno and Dyno Plus functions into a single unit also capable of data logging. I know that if you only get the Dyno Plus that you also need the Road Dyno to make power measurements. The Dyno Plus tool appears to be an accelerometer enabling 1/4 mile times, 0-60, roll-on acelleration, and g-force measurements. Dyno Plus Data Logger offers additional data logging capabilities and when used with their Race Software will also measure on the road power measurements similar to the Road Dyno. I e-mailed the company for additional information but I'm more inclined to trust consumer reports of first-hand experience and level of satisfaction.

 

I jus ordered the road dyno! I hope it works as well as you guys said. It should be fun to tinker around with, if nothing else.