[s-cars] back to the dyno

[Djdawson2 at aol.com]

After way too much time spent trying to figure out the drop-out issues during 
my last trip to the dyno, the problem was finally solved by some attention to 
the ignition system... in particular, the spark plug connectors.  With the 
problems cured, I went off to the dyno again to see what I've got.

The last trip indicated 387/413, with a clear difficulty at about 4900rpm.  
That solved, today the engine made 418/445... so a nice improvement.

Power robbing problems yet to solve:

The intake... currently I'm running a stock MAF (no screens) with a cone K&N. 
 It's all I can fit with the stock oil cooler in place.  The K&N is packed in 
right next to the oil cooler, so air sucked into the filter is no doubt 
assisting in keeping my oil temps lower, but raising my intake temps.  Fixing this 
can't be done without relocating the stock OC, and that can't be done without 
relocating the stock IC.  Some day.  However, a big ole MAF is being worked on 
by Steve Eiche at Shadetree to upgrade from the stock unit.  Should certainly 
flow better, and hopefully no concern about wire failure.

The IC... while I've never been convinced that the stock IC is a poor unit, 
the location is certainly bad, at best.  In addition, my stock IC quite audibly 
leaks under a 10psi  pressure test.  Needless to say, there's room for power 
gains here.

A/F ratio... the engine is running somewhat rich (below 12:1 from 3500rpm on 
up, and down in the 10s near redline).  I can work on this with my new 
adjustable FPR, but haven't played with that yet.

Boost control... I'm currently regulating boost with only a WG spring (the 
stock one).  The WGFV, along with the software's boost profile, doesn't allow 
more than 24psi, and drops out fast, so that is currently out of the equation.  
The stock spring allows a quick boost peak of 27psi, and then it slowly fades, 
eventually down to about 16psi at 7k rpm.  I would like to stay away from 
using a boost controller, if possible.  Certainly, if I can come up with some 
means to allow boost to hold its peak, there should be a significant increase in 
the area under the curve, instead of the rather rapid decline from peak that 
currently exists.  There may even be an increase in peak power as well... we'll 
see.
That's it for now, and graphs can be had for those interested.
Dave in CO