Dyno tuning ST185

dvsone

New member
Hi Guys,

Not sure if i have posted this in the right place but i have a ST185 that i have just finished rebuilding the engine on. I have kept most of the internals original just opting for a set of forged pistons, MLS head gasket and some minor porting on the head.
Now that it is all back together i was looking at putting it on a dyno and increasing the boost.

My question is does anyone know a good AWD dyno in Melbourne or anywhere that specialises in these cars? Also can the standard ecu be tuned or will i need an aftermarket one and how much boost should i put into it with just these mods?

Thanks heaps for any info
 

Smaay

Member
you can put the car in FWD mode for dyno work. the selector is on your transmission. DO NOT DRIVE in this configuration, but dyno is ok
 

dvsone

New member
If i do that wont it give incorrect power figures as it is reading from the front wheels only?
And any recommended places in Melbourne to do this?
 

underscore

Well-known member
The crank HP will be the same, WHP will be wrong but can be calculated. Both are only good for bragging rights.
 

dvsone

New member
ok cool and it wont mess with the tuning when i switch back to 4wd? I assume the load on the engine is the same either was and it is just the gearbox that makes the diff?
Do you know any good ECU to get keeping in mind it will just be a quick street car so not looking to go crazy and get a motec or anything or do you recommend just doing boost runs on the dyno with the standard ECU and see what i can get out of it?
Thanks again for your help
 

underscore

Well-known member
Exactly, if you can find someone with an inertia dyno they could probably increase the load on the car to simulate the extra drag of AWD. As far as ECUs go always find a local tuner that you trust and find out what ECUs they can tune, many times I've seen people select and install an ECU only to find the nearest tuner is stupidly far away.
 

dvsone

New member
Ok cool thanks underscore i'll do some searching and see what dyno places are around and go from there.
 

C-dubb

New member
Careful...BADNEW5 was telling me he attempted this at one point and the rear wheels started to spin...not sure how safe it is. I was thinking of doing it also. But we have a couple AWD dyno's around now.
 

dvsone

New member
Yeah i have been told by a guy who specialises in these cars that the 2wd lock is only for modest dyno work and testing and if you use it for power tuning you can snap the front diff coupling so i will go for a 4wd dyno
 

ChrisD

New member
I had mine tuned in 2WD mode, worked fine. The only failures I have seen have been people that didn't do the switch properly, or on high HP setups. WHP was pretty consistent for me although I didn't tune back to back on an AWD dyno.

I'm running a 205 trans now so I don't have the option anymore.
 
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