Bolt On Horsepower Calculation

[Corvette Emma]

I have searched everywhere for a program or something that would assist me with calculating bolt on horsepower. I know if I did find something, it wouldn't be real accurate but I would like to find something to get me in the ballpark. As you can see from my profile and signature, I have some bolt ons. If I go to the low end of what horsepower gains I should see based on the manufactures, it is about 170. I know I can't be getting that much horsepower from bolt ons but I sure would like to know what kind of horsepower gains I may have. I will probably break down and pay to run the car on a dyno. The curiosity is getting the best of me. I just need to know. Please help!:W
Thanks,
Lee

 

[bucket]

TRY THIS
based on your 1/4 mile speed
BHP = (.00426XMPH)(cubed) x WEIGHT
It's pretty close

 

[bucket]

I am looking at the vortex rammer and was wondering how it works for you?

 

[Corvette Emma]

I am looking at the vortex rammer and was wondering how it works for you?

Hey Bucket,
I have not ran my car in the 1/4 yet but when I do I will do the math you suggested. As far as the rammer, it looks and sounds great but as far as performance, I don't have any numbers. It has to be better then the stock unit. I also installed the power coupler which is no more then a rubber tube between the TB and rammer without the corrugated ribs inside. I am sure the ribs disrupt the air flow causing some power robbing.

Thanks for the response,
Lee

 

[bucket]

it's strange than in another post i described this type of ram air almost exactly..then..i found the vortex..
i'm sure it'll do just peachy..lol
my coupler (LT1)seems to much less restrictive than the previous years..with the ribs...so it will be ok also..
fyi. with your curb weight , 100 mph is around 300 horse..depending on gears of course..
in my last lt1(camero) the 410 ring was THE biggest improvement in performance without sacraficing reliability or driveability,.
i cut my top end down from 160+ to around 140...
the speedo had a 20% error..(showing 100 was actually 80 mph) so it was easy to drive and stay leagle but would turn around in second gear under full throttle..with a stock lt1 and cold package.

 

[rickreeves1]

According to Mid America I have a Gazillion horsepower.



Dyno it.

 

[bucket]

according to my precise calculations...your exactly right

 

[Vettefan87]

I am looking at the vortex rammer and was wondering how it works for you?

I have it on mine. You wont get the 30 some odd HP they claim, but at higher speeds its somewhat noticeable. If it does nothing more its a lot more aesthetically pleasing then the stock unit.

 

[bucket]

i remember noticing a big difference on a cool(cold) nite a lot more than just everyday in the city..with my z 28..

 

[vetteoz]

i remember noticing a big difference on a cool nite a lot more than just everyday in the city.

Well known fact ; cold air makes Hp.
Problem I see with Vortex is it is still drawing air from down low where it has heat off the road , very little diff in temp to air going into stock air cleaner.You have to be going 200mph to get any "ram " air affect

MODS: TPIS Big Mouth Intake Manifold, SLP Siamese Runners, Ported & Polished Plenum, ........................, Azzato Chips custom PROM

I don't see any exhaust mods there.You appear to have it all going in but nothing coming out
Headers and free flowing exhaust are the best bang for $$$ on a L98; first recommended mod for these engine

 

[Corvette Emma]

Exhaust Mods or Lack Of

Hey Vetteoz,
You are absolutly right, I have not made any exhaust mods. It depends what you read and who writes it. Some places I have read that the L98 exhaust is better then the LT1 and other places I read says I can get an extra 50 horses with an exhaust system. I do plan on doing the exhaust but I am not sure what to do, the Cat Back or go for Long Tube Headers, eliminate the cats and go dual out the back. I do like the torque but I also what some top end. I am so confused and I just want to do the right thing when I drop another 2-3k into the car. What is your opinion on the exhaust???
Thanks for the feedback.
Lee

Well known fact ; cold air makes Hp.
Problem I see with Vortex is it is still drawing air from down low where it has heat off the road , very little diff in temp to air going into stock air cleaner.You have to be going 200mph to get any "ram " air affect


I don't see any exhaust mods there.You appear to have it all going in but nothing coming out
Headers and free flowing exhaust are the best bang for $$$ on a L98; first recommended mod for these engine

 

[rascal_rascal_99]

Don't forget to put the stickers on the car from all the parts manufacturers, any ricer knows that only half the horsepower at best comes from the bolt on part, the rest of it comes from the sticker being added to the car. There's another theory that goes along with this, that the percentage of advertised horsepower gain is directly porportional to the placement of each sticker being put in the most aesthetically unpleasing location.

 

[bucket]

i disagree..
the outside air is way cooler than the under the hood air..it's not about "ram air"
it's about fresh air.
the stock airbox draws air from around the radiator under the hood..thats usually well above 150 degrees ...it's usually a bit cooler than that on the street here in L A.

 

[Corvette Emma]

So True

It's funny you say that because I was kidding with my wife the other day about where I should put all the stickers. She told me that if I put any stickers on the car she wouldn't ride in it anymore. Is that a good thing or a bad thing????
Lee

Don't forget to put the stickers on the car from all the parts manufacturers, any ricer knows that only half the horsepower at best comes from the bolt on part, the rest of it comes from the sticker being added to the car. There's another theory that goes along with this, that the percentage of advertised horsepower gain is directly porportional to the placement of each sticker being put in the most aesthetically unpleasing location.

 

[Corvette Emma]

Dyno

I am checking into local dyno houses now. (@ $100.00 per hour).
I know I am not blowing the doors off anything I would just like to know that I have improved the car some.
Thanks,
Lee

According to Mid America I have a Gazillion horsepower.



Dyno it.

 

[rascal_rascal_99]

It's funny you say that because I was kidding with my wife the other day about where I should put all the stickers. She told me that if I put any stickers on the car she wouldn't ride in it anymore. Is that a good thing or a bad thing????
Lee

Well if you were hoping to go pick up your girlfriend, it'd definitely be a good thing!

 

[vetteoz]

.it's not about "ram air"

According to Vortex's abv blurb it is
"The system takes pressurized air from the radiator cavity, sends it through the radiator shroud into the specially designed scoop and forces it into the sealed box of the Rammer".

i disagree..
the stock airbox draws air from around the radiator under the hood..

The stock air cleaner is in front of the radiator shroud which directs hot air back over the engine.The only time air from the radiator can get to the cleaner is when you are still.Once moving outside air comes up to the air cleaner.The hot air from the radiator does not do a 180 turn and go out the front of the engine bay.

 

[vetteoz]

It depends what you read and who writes it. Some places I have read that the L98 exhaust is better then the LT1 and other places I read says I can get an extra 50 horses with an exhaust system.... I do like the torque but I also what some top end.

LT1 exh is better than L98
Do the LT's and Y pipe at least , you can always change the cat back later.

 

[Corvette Emma]

Dyno

I have to call back Friday to see if I can make three pulls on Saturday and then see what the next modification will be. I am going to Welcome to Anderson Performance Automotive! , check out their web site, they have a buick grand national going 7.25. WOW! If they can get me in Saturday, I will post my RWHP for all the world (CAC) to see. I just hope I am not too disappointed with the numbers. If I have 300 RWHP I will be happy. What do you think. I know I have a lot of front end mods and nothing aft but something is better then nothing. The front end stuff is easier for me to do because I don't have a lift. What do you think I should spend on an exhaust system?
Lee

LT1 exh is better than L98
Do the LT's and Y pipe at least , you can always change the cat back later.

 

[Corvette Emma]

DYNO RESULTS

OK people, I ran my car on the dyno today (4/4/09) with the following results from the two pulls:
Dyno Run 1 - Max Power = 233.12 rwhp, Max Torque = 300.76
Dyno Run 2 - Max Power = 236.09 rwhp, Max Torque = 297.84
It just goes to show you that the numbers posted by manufacturers for bolt on parts can not be believed. From all my bolt ons, if I use the low side number, I should have gained 170 horsepower. Using the GM base 245 fwhp for my car and a calculated 283 fwhp (dyno 236+20%), I only gained 38 horsepower, which is 22% of what the wonderful bolt on manufacturers claimed. I knew the claimed horsepower gains from the bolt ons were too good to be true but I thought I would have gained more then 38 horsepower. Unless my starting horsepower was less then 245, then I gained more but I didn't dyno before doing all my mods. At least going forward I will know my gains. Don't assume or guess your HP, find an affordable shop to run it on a dyno. I paid $75 for 2 runs.
I would like to thank everybody for their feedback on my thread.
Lee