Just wanted to know your thoughts of what consititutes "proof" of a certain mod working.
please poll and post your comments.

 

Depends on the mod..

performance mod i would measure on 1/4 mile

handling mod i would measure on a butt dyno sort of instance or divers feel

stereo i would go with manufacutuer's name

appearace i would go with majority rules

 

i always like that answer

 

Dyno runs done on multiple cars on different days. The problem with 1/4 runs are the conditions of the track and the skill of the driver. IMO

 

i think that reviews from reliable magazines/websites who can provide accurate data using professional drivers under controlled settings would probably be my choice.

 

You must have read my response on that other thread, didnt you.

 

A)Butt-dynos are worthless and highly inaccurate. Very often in the world of "mods", losses in power are often considered gains because the buyer can't fathom the idea thier car is slower because of a power mod.

B)Multiple dyno runs on the same dyno and under very similar conditions constitutes reliable measures of gains.

C)1/4 mile runs by a experienced driver (someone who can get consistent 60 foots and ets) at the same track and under similiar conditions (temp, baro pressure, humidity, tires, weights) constitutes are fairly reliable measure of gains.

D)The quoted gains by the maker are absolutely worthless. Thier are ways to make power appear on a dyno. The companies are there to make money and usually they care little about the buyer.

E)Magazine tests are okay, but more often than not the mods they are testing are done on the maker's dyno. Not exactly what I would call non-bias testing.


We must remember that many of these mods we do to our cars only gain a few hp and tq here and there which makes them hard to measure accurately.


Dave

 

Dyno, true the result won't be 100% accurate, but if you do it at the same place while trying to keep all aspects same, it's still the most reliable proof, the temprature and etc won't affect the resul too much, and you can always take average of mutiple runs befor and after.

 

I prefer dyno's because it's easy to see the effect a mod has across the entire powerband.

 

I would go with dyno meausurements and 1/4 mile runs...these should give the best results...

 

dyno <<basicly assures(sp?) you that you didnt waste ur cash.

butt dyno <<ok...but i think some cars feel faster..cuz they louder..(i.e dohc vtec)

1/4 << i like this one...but sometimes too many variables.

rep of a company << nah..they just want ur money..

 

well. the reason why i put up those choices is because
1) when people get mods. they can feel the differnce. Louder doesn't mean better. but i mean. when you put in the ypipe you know it freakin works. also. testimony is how most products get life in the open market.
2) Dyno runs. anyone see that stillen dyno of their Stillen intake doing 15hp? guess not. Why dynos aren't taht great is yeah. the company might be tweaking it here n there to make it look better.
3. Quarter mile doesn't necessarily mean. that a mod is good. I mean. Dave B said himself that the ECU won't do good on the quarter mile because, and i quote, "Sure, it makes some decent power from 2800-3900 rpms, but after that the gains are minimal. When you're racing at the track, a good launch will put you at 4000 rpms within about 15-20 feet. Therefore, you will be well past the real gains of the ECU." then how can the quarter mile be used to test it's effectiveness? ECU chips are supposed to increase overall driveablility..
4. Company Claims. ahh. i was wondering who would be lame enough to vote for this.
5. Websites and Magazine i think are the best. Why? most magazines. and i emphasize MOST, are unbiased. that's why i would trust say a Motor Trend review or a Road and Track review over, say Import Tuner Mag.


thanks for all those that posted.