Dyno Frequently Asked Questions
Should the torque converter be locked during a dyno pull?
Our TCC's are very small and should NOT be locked up at WOT if your 3800 FWD car is making good power. We've heard that some of our competitors do this on a regular basis to increase their WHP numbers by approximately 5%. As an example, if your call pulls 383 WHP on the dyno, this will equate to approximately 404 WHP with the converter locked.
Does it matter which gear my car is dynoed in?
Some people claim that dynoing in second gear will make the dyno record higher numbers because the engine can rev faster. Others claim that dynoing in third gear artificially inflates the numbers. Both theories have proven to be false on every car we've tested. The dyno automatically measures the length of time it takes to accelerate a fixed load, and compensates without final drive gear or transaxle gear being a significant factor.
Every comparison we've done showed numbers within 1%. This means that on a car with 300 WHP, the dyno numbers were within three (3) WHP whether the dyno was done in 2nd or 3rd gear. Also, in some tests the second gear numbers were slightly higher, and in others the third gear numbers were slightly higher.
We recommend dynoing in second gear whenever possible for four reasons. First, it doesn't take as long, so it's less stressful to your engine. Second, you'll experience less heat soak on a non-intercooled, supercharged engine. Third, you'll be less likely to experience a fuel starvation issue at some speed you might never hit in real life (i.e. 140 MPH). And fourth, you won't run the risk of hitting a speed limiter (typically 108 MPH in third gear on many 3800-FWD vehicles with stock PCM's).
INTENSE™ Forged Output Shaft versus the competition
Please click here for all of the details...
Adam Zabkar's Stage 3 setup on 93 Octane Pump Gas 358WHP Dyno Chart
Click here to see Wes Blair's latest dyno chart.
Project "8-Ball"
Click here to read about our Third Gen full roller rocker arms test on Todd Allen's 2000 Bonneville SSEi "8-Ball"
INTENSE™ powers the highest horsepower intercooled and non-intercooled 2004 Grand Prix GTP CompG's!
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Intercooled L32 Engine Lays Down 287.6 WHP
Click here to read about our INTENSE™ Intercooler testing on a 2004 Grand Prix CompG...
Thoughts on Suspension Techniques for Drag Racing
Click here (right-click and choose "Save Target As..." to download) to view our suspension techniques for drag racing writeup.
Gasket Matching for Low Cost Horsepower Gains!
For those of you with INTENSE™ Stage 2 or Stage 3 cylinder heads, you can pick up a few (or more) extra horsepower in an afternoon by gasket matching your lower intake manifold. Click here to learn how!
What needs to be modified in order to run the Walbro 340M fuel pump?
Please see our step by step instructions on how to modify and install the Walbro 340M fuel pump in W-body vehicles.
Bonneville Salt Flats - Speed Week - August 2003
An INTENSE™ Race Engine was used in this car and survived 7,100 RPM for several miles.
