OK, I haven't yet hit panic mode, but I am pretty close. Here's the rundown:

I just came back from my first ever dyno run. I was highly anticipating this and went in hoping to come out with some decent numbers. But the results were almost disastrous. I will try to post the graphs later, but I have then numbers from all 6 baseline runs:

1. First run: 88.2 HP/95 ft-lbs torque

The VTEC did not engage in the first run, hence the Civic-like numbers. My face was white, I didn't know what to think, the guys who were running the place were dumbfounded. Anyway, VTEC did engage on the remaining 5 runs, but the results weren't good:

2. Second Run: 133.4 HP/103.9 torque
3. Third Run: 137.6 HP/103.3 torque

At this point, I am at least happy to see VTEC engage, but I am not sure why the motor is so vastly underpowered.

4. Fourth Run: 153.9 HP/109.5 torque
5. Fifth Run: 154.6 HP/108.9 torque

I am smiling now, the numbers are getting better, but still not in the 160-165 range I was hoping for

6. Last Run: 147.1 HP/108.3 torque

Just when I thought things were stabilizing, a loss of 7 HP in the last run. Overall, a dissapointing day indeed.

Tons of questions to the forum, before I take the car to the dealership:

1. Why are my numbers all over the place? Very erratic, this can't be normal.
2. Why did VTEC not engage in the first run? Does it indicate a problem, if VTEC is not engaging consistenly? It couldn't have been because the motor wasn't warm. Or could it?
3. Do I have a bad motor, and if so and I take the car to the dealership, can the dyno numbers be used as proof?
4. This is a stupid question, but how do you exactly know when VTEC engages? I never really pay attention to this, just that once past 5500 rmps or so, the car is really loud, but maybe that's just revving it up. But now I will pay attention big time. Does the tach move faster? What's the sound difference like? And does the car simply drive faster? I feel really dumb asking these questions, but I need some answers. There's now this thought in the back of my mind that VTEC does not engage all the time in my car.

Ok, this is all I have for now. I am just really disappointed and even angry, let me see what the forum members will say before I take further action.



[Modified by fso_BamBam, 12:43 AM 6/22/2001]

 

good luck

 

likely the dyno is wacked. The dyno operator shoould be checking out his equipment.

If your car's HP output was actually fluctuating, you would be immediately aware of it.

Depending on your elevation, correction coeficients the dyno is using, mid 150's could be correct.

 

Vtec does not engage when the engine is cold. It is abusive to the motor to flog it when cold.

No real comment on the dyno readings. Ambient temp?

You can hear vtec engage. Also, the computer will trip an engine light if it's not engaging as it should because it's also got a sensor to tell it whether or not VTEC is engaging.

Have any adjustments been made? What's the mileage? What octane of fuel are you using? How long have you been using that octane? When were your valves last adjusted? Many pieces of information are missing!!! Help us to help you by giving lots of info!

 

Thanks for putting my mind a bit on ease folks, in a moment of incoherence and semi panic, I didn't think about some of the stuff you're talking about. I had no idea the engine light would come on if VTEC did not engage, so I guess we're fine there. But my motor was warm on the first run, so maybe the dyno was whacked, hence the low output.

Now, answers to all your questions:

1. The car is bone stock, no mods or adjustments of any kind. The reason for the dyno run was to see where I am at before I do my planned mods, and then re-dyno again.
2. My car is a '01, with precisely 5012 miles. Last (first ever) oil change took place with 3800 miles or so. The car has been to the racetrack 7 times (all were lapping days). Except for the first time, I've pushed the car hard. Don't think that would be a problem, though.
3. I always use super premium (92 octane) since day 1.
4. The valves have never been adjusted.

I guess my main concern at this point is not VTEC engagement, it's why the dyno readings were all over the place. Hopefully, that's the sign of a bad motor.


[Modified by fso_BamBam, 1:43 AM 6/22/2001]


[Modified by fso_BamBam, 1:59 AM 6/22/2001]

 

How's the oil level? How many miles are on the car? What have you done to yet?

 

150s at the wheel is about right for a stock type-r isn't it?

 

more like 160-165.

 

George,

that's strange - today there was a post confirming that the camshafts for the 00-01's are more aggressive than the ones on the 97-98s. I am not disputing your assertion but how does a car with a more aggressive cam profile and quicker "real-life" times put down less hp to the ground?

 

Jst so I knew they were different I anally inserted both a 98 and an 01 R cam and I will tell you theyboth hurt like a SOB

 

I know this gonna sound real stupid, but maybe your car was just haing a bad day. There are days when my car feels real agile and quick, and then there are days when she feels like a pig, and I know its the car and not in my head.

 

it doesn't seem right. what gear were you running?

 

Ross, do the white Type Rs have the same computer as the yellow/black ones?

maybe the whole "which year (color) is faster" myth is backwards and the 97-98s are really faster that the 00-01s. who knows? who cares!

fso_BamBam, it is possible that your numbers are all over the place because the dyno operators didn't know what they are doing? if your car's power fluctuated that much wouldn't you notice the difference when driving? or maybe your car has a Friday (or Monday) engine.

jmb

 

Hey Guys, I've thought about this too, although it seemed like they knew what they were doing. We ran all runs on 4th gear. Do you think that may have had something to do with it? I completely agree with the assessment that if the power figures were so erratic, I'd notice it during everyday driving. Car is fine by all means, I don't notice any drop in power at all. There's another shop here, so I'll try a second dyno run next month and see what we get. Now that I look at it, at least I got a couple of runs with 155whp, so I'll wait for the next dyno run.

 

A lot of comparisions have been made between the 97/98 and 00-01's. What you have to remember is there is some Hand assembly involved which should account for HP discrepencies. Also, the ITR gets "stronger" over time to a certain extent.

 

fso_BamBam,

no need to worry dawg, i got like 161...........and i have MODS!!!!!!!

now thats frick'in sad!

 

This also may be a dumb question but, who actually was in the car during the runs?
Perhaps the operator lifted a little early or wasn't on full throttle? It could happen?
And it could explain the erraticness. Try doing it yourself next time if possible.

 

To me personally it sounds like your car was low on oil and the VTEC solenoid was not letting the larger cam lobes engage.


Boba- who checks his oil everytime he puts gas in the car.

 

I respectfully disagree. On average the 00-01's dyno more like from 163-168 and are generally faster at the strip too. Check out their trap speeds (usually 95-96mph). The 97-98's were lucky to get into the 94's stock.

And in addition to the revised more agressive profile cam for 2K up ITR's, the ECU was also recalibrated. That alone can make a big difference.

 

why has nobody asked what type of dyno he was on.

it won't explain why everything is so varried, but will help in deciding if his peak numbers are in the correct ballpark.

 

Hi, it was Dynojet. I think the more I read people's responses, the more I realize there's nothing wrong with the car. I will for sure do another one in a couple of weeks. Thanks to all for your input. I am feeling a lot better now.

 

i dyno'd on a dynojet, and got 164.2 whp sae corrected and 116.7 tq. what gear did they run the car in???

check your oil when the engine is completely dead cold....

good luck

 

i dyno'd on a dynojet, and got 164.2 whp sae corrected and 116.7 tq. what gear did they run the car in???

check your oil when the engine is completely dead cold....

good luck

 

4th gear, I am trying to figure out if that had anything to do with it. Will check the oil later today.

 

4 th gear puts alot of undo strain on the car. the dyno place should have known that or at least said something.....(please dont flame me for this ) i think unless your putting down like 400 hp you should always do a run in 3rd gear....

remember to check the oil when the engine is dead cold!!!!!! or you might get inaccurate readings....


[Modified by 01r, 2:06 PM 6/22/2001]