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FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: fekbmax on October 01, 2017, 11:06:41 PM

Title: Calculating engine HP from rear wheel HP #'s
Post by: fekbmax on October 01, 2017, 11:06:41 PM
I have heard a few different opinions on this and thought that maybe some of the guys here with dyno (both engine and chassis) experience could shed a bit of light on it.

Trying to closely estimate the engine HP from lets say ,,,
731 peak rear wheel Hp at 6700 RPM's, high gear, full clutch lock up.
Title: Re: Calculating engine HP from rear wheel HP #'s
Post by: machoneman on October 02, 2017, 07:41:09 AM
Keith, Wallace Racing has about the best calculators on the 'Net:

http://www.wallaceracing.com/Calculators.htm
Title: Re: Calculating engine HP from rear wheel HP #'s
Post by: blykins on October 02, 2017, 08:12:21 AM
My experience is that there are way too many variables to really nail down a correlation between the two.  Dynos are tools that should be used to show incremental testing and not really placed in comparison with other dynos. 

With that being said, the biggest variables seem to be the exhaust and transmission.  I've seen Shelby Cobras gain 100 RWHP by removing the sidepipes.
Title: Re: Calculating engine HP from rear wheel HP #'s
Post by: jayb on October 02, 2017, 08:34:13 AM
Just as a ballpark number, divide the rear wheel horsepower by 0.85; this is assuming a 15% loss in the driveline.  Could be more or less, of course, but that is in the general area.  In your case, flywheel horsepower is 860.
Title: Re: Calculating engine HP from rear wheel HP #'s
Post by: scott foxwell on October 02, 2017, 10:33:13 AM
Our experience is ~20% on the average. Definitely lot of factors involved.
Title: Re: Calculating engine HP from rear wheel HP #'s
Post by: scott foxwell on October 02, 2017, 10:34:47 AM
My experience is that there are way too many variables to really nail down a correlation between the two.  Dynos are tools that should be used to show incremental testing and not really placed in comparison with other dynos. 

With that being said, the biggest variables seem to be the exhaust and transmission.  I've seen Shelby Cobras gain 100 RWHP by removing the sidepipes.
The best Cobra ex system (Lo Back) we ever tested was 60hp @ the crank so that wouldn't surprise me.
Title: Re: Calculating engine HP from rear wheel HP #'s
Post by: fekbmax on October 02, 2017, 02:26:22 PM
Just as a ballpark number, divide the rear wheel horsepower by 0.85; this is assuming a 15% loss in the driveline.  Could be more or less, of course, but that is in the general area.  In your case, flywheel horsepower is 860.

Our experience is ~20% on the average. Definitely lot of factors involved.

LoL, the dude running the dyno said 18%.
Im guessing 15 to 20 % is in the ball park.

Thanks guys.
Title: Re: Calculating engine HP from rear wheel HP #'s
Post by: fekbmax on October 02, 2017, 02:32:36 PM
My experience is that there are way too many variables to really nail down a correlation between the two.  Dynos are tools that should be used to show incremental testing and not really placed in comparison with other dynos. 

With that being said, the biggest variables seem to be the exhaust and transmission.  I've seen Shelby Cobras gain 100 RWHP by removing the sidepipes.

Home made 2-1/8" equal length X 4-1/2" merged collectors.
Jerico clutchless shift. Hi gear pull, 5135 disk, loaded up on counter weight.
Title: Re: Calculating engine HP from rear wheel HP #'s
Post by: Falcon67 on October 02, 2017, 03:39:59 PM
Just as a ballpark number, divide the rear wheel horsepower by 0.85; this is assuming a 15% loss in the driveline.  Could be more or less, of course, but that is in the general area.  In your case, flywheel horsepower is 860.

15% is the SWAG I tend to use.  Should be close - 122.8 @ 1675 lbs is around 470 RWHP.  Divided by .85 is close to 550 motor.  Which is about what I wanted.  I will put the motor on a dyno this winter sometime to work out new carburetion so we'll see how my guesses are.