HPTuners, Delivered torque, Virtual Dyno, SC losses

I have been quoting delivered HP values in recent articles, and these are quick and easy to ref.  This is a PCM calculated value that converts air flow to torque using air/fuel ratio and spark advance.
In an article here http://caddyinfo.com/wordpress/wheel-hp-calcualted-hp-and-you/ I showed a comparison of calculated hp for my STS-V vs Virtual Dyno results.

  
In that analysis I found there were 26% losses from calc hp to virtual dyno.  My current theory is that delivered hp does not account for supercharger losses, or the hp to turn the supercharger.   Further, With est transmission losses at 20%, that analysis shows supercharger turning loss to be ~6%, or as accurately can be modelled as 40 hp.  [also possible it does include sc turning losses, and delta is greater losses due to 1 or 2nd gear not 1:1]

I continue to find Calc HP to be useful and quick to reference, for comparison a 6% loss must be considered as well – so a comparable engine dyno after S/C pumping loss would be 6% less.  If the calc hp was 522, adjusted for conditions = 556, after s/c 522 crank hp, dyno-equivalent after 20% trans loss would be .8 x 522 = 417 wheel hp or whp.  I think that is the factor I was missing previously, and will save some analysis somersaults.  While delivered torque gets a lot of poor press on the web, the shape of the curve and values do validate against the virtual dyno analysis of the same data and the dynojet tests I have done.

What do you think?

Quick STS-V tune check-in

Cadillac_STS-V Composite

Grabbed my gear and ran a quick scan on the STS-V to see how it is doing 2 years later.  Odd divot in the pull but could have been situational in the way I did the test; I don’t see an obvious cause in the data.

sts-v quickblast 2015-08-18

Here is a snapshot of the HPTuner screen at max hp (522).  Gotta love a supercharged V8.

stsv 2015 scan1

I will re-run later in the week to see if divot is an anomaly or something to address.  I didn’t realize the divot was there until I reviewed the data to post.  The engine pulls 12 degrees of advance there — perhaps the traction control kicked in?

I was watching during the drive to see how the IAT2 responded, to tell me if the pump was running, coolant circulating, etc for the intercooler.  That seems to be the case.  The STS-V was heatsoaked, it was hot here (100F), IAT1 just starting the test at 120F, and IAT2s at 154F.  Hot, hot, hot.  

  
The correction factor for environmental conditions the car saw was 1.065, so still around 522.5 x 1.065 = 556 corrected hp similar to 2013 tests.

 

Cadillac XLR tuning test 2 – premium fuel

  
I am running a string of tests to establish a baseline for my 2007 Cadillac XLR.  The previous test is here: Initial Cadillac XLR Hptuners Scanner setup

That test showed 301 hp at 5734 rpm, 290 lb ft of torque at 4572 rpm.  Temp was 95 F.

Tonight’s test was with premium fuel (newly refilled), and without heat soak.  The XLR was warm, having run a set course during the test.  Temps locally were 95 F, 102 F into the engine, and 141 F in the manifold.  Tonight’s run and previous were with the top down.

xlr premium 2nd test first gear

Tonight’s max hp delivered was 309 hp at around 5700 rpm.  Delivered Torque max was 298 ft-lb at 4700 rpm.  This is slightly better than test 1, and I see by comparing the two that incoming air and manifold air were consistent (I was thinking tonight was cooler). Tonight’s engine coolant temp was lower at 192 F vs 203 F last night — unlikely to be a factor.  I suspected the XLR was delivered with regular unleaded and was hoping to see a bit more power with premium unleaded.

xlr premium 2nd run 1-2 gear

This table shows 1st gear, the 1-2 gear shift, and 2nd gear pull.  2nd gear has slightly lower although equivalent hp to first.  I am assuming these calculations are unaffected by vehicle aerodynamics, but I may be wrong.

Here is the HPtuners scanner shot at max hp:

XLR premium test 2 hptuners

Summary:

Tonight’s test is very consistent with test 1.  With the XLR sitting all day prior to the test and not heat soaked, but with same temp air, the results were slightly (8 hp, 8 ft lb) higher than previous.  In the heat there is almost 2 degrees of retard (lost advance) due to incoming air temp advance (gauge in lower right).

Corrected to SAE standard these readings would be higher:  Note: The relative horsepower calculations are made in accordance with SAE J1349. The standard reference conditions for SAE J1349 are: Air temp 77 deg F (25 deg C), 29.235 Inches- Hg (990 mb) actual pressure and 0% relative humidity.

  
Corrected factor for conditions: 1.045.  Corrected hp: 309 x 1.045 = 323 hp.  298 ft lb x 1.045 = 311 lb ft of torque.  These appear consistent with expected 320 hp & 315 lb ft engine rating from Cadillac.  

I would like to see additional tests with no changes for repeatability, but overall the XLR LH2 appears to be performing as expected.  These tests will form the baseline to compare for tuning or mods.