Lacking power still.............

[Avonvilla]

Hi guys, it seems that i haven't found all my missing bhp after all

It just didn't feel like 200bhp + to me so i booked a dyno session and low and behold came out at 176bhp at the wheels and 180lbft torque, this is with an everest, a 2.25" exhaust on a fully decatted S2.

The guy reckoned the boost was inconsistent and suggested the wastegate or boost solenoid valve, he checked the wastegate and said it was fine and i have now changed the BSV but it hasn't suddenly found any power.

I've run out of ideas and things to check, anyone ?

[Steve_P]

If that's the power at the wheels I would say that you're probably producing 200+ bhp!

If the engine was developing 205bhp and you lost 15% through the gearbox etc. you'd be looking at 175bhp at the wheels which I don't think is too bad to be honest?!

[Avonvilla]

Afraid not thats flywheel figures, at the wheels it is showing 130bhp

[Nige]

Thats a lot of power to lose from flywheel to wheels (176-130=46), I wonder if the cause of your problem is transmission rather than engine? As a comparison Dyno results of my S2 which is very similar spec to yours (ie Everest Chip, 2.25" exhaust fully decatted at the time of the Dyno runs) was 204 BHP at the flywheel and 174 BHP at the wheels. There has to be a reason why you are not getting the same. I know you'll have checked your base timing (makes a really big difference) so if not that then valve timing, have you had a cam belt change recently, one tooth out can also make a big difference. Beyond that how free flowing is your exhaust, is the silencer baffled, my exhaust man is quite dismissive of many off the shelf systems as he says the silencers are still baffled. I wish you luck in finding the cause of your problem. If you have the ability to do Elanscan runs the log files may well tell you something. I was down on power at one stage and even though I was nailing it I wasn't getting full throttle because the cable had stretched, TPS never saw full throttle and so down on power.

[Avonvilla]

Thats a lot of power to lose from flywheel to wheels (176-130=46), I wonder if the cause of your problem is transmission rather than engine? As a comparison Dyno results of my S2 which is very similar spec to yours (ie Everest Chip, 2.25" exhaust fully decatted at the time of the Dyno runs) was 204 BHP at the flywheel and 174 BHP at the wheels. There has to be a reason why you are not getting the same. I know you'll have checked your base timing (makes a really big difference) so if not that then valve timing, have you had a cam belt change recently, one tooth out can also make a big difference. Beyond that how free flowing is your exhaust, is the silencer baffled, my exhaust man is quite dismissive of many off the shelf systems as he says the silencers are still baffled. I wish you luck in finding the cause of your problem. If you have the ability to do Elanscan runs the log files may well tell you something. I was down on power at one stage and even though I was nailing it I wasn't getting full throttle because the cable had stretched, TPS never saw full throttle and so down on power.

Base timing was out but was done before the dyno. I'm gonna have to plead ignorance on the valve timing ? err any pointers to look at i cant see any ? the cam belt was done possably around the time the power went, maybe, how would i check it ?. The exhaust if fully free flowing and it should be near 200bhp even with the standard exhaust and a precat ! I've scanned it to death and all the usual culprits are ok, i've got a map sensor on its way to try too.

[Avonvilla]

OK found the valve timing stuff, is it east to get the cam belt cover off ?

[Doug]

OK found the valve timing stuff, is it east to get the cam belt cover off ?

depends on if you feel lucky

since you had the belt recently done it's unlikely the bolts will be seixed--which is the best part! there's only about 4 bolts to undo, but the lower ones are a bitch

[stevo]

the fly wheel to wheel figures are pretty bad im only losing 12% in missy.

[Avonvilla]

OK found the valve timing stuff, is it east to get the cam belt cover off ?

depends on if you feel lucky

since you had the belt recently done it's unlikely the bolts will be seixed--which is the best part! there's only about 4 bolts to undo, but the lower ones are a bitch

Had a look today and it's far too big a job for me the 4 bolts seem ok but then there are 2 in the middle, one by the engine mount and one below it, i just cant see how the hell you can get them out ?

[Avonvilla]

Had a great day.....not !

Fitted the MAP and no change.

Decided this free flowing exhaust lark ( ie noise ) isn't for me so gonna go back to a virtually stock system.

As above cam belt cover too much for me, is there any other way to check its timing ? bet a dealer is gonna charge nearly as much as a cam belt change to check it.

Really getting sick of Elan ownership ( after 10 years ! ) lately

I've attached the dyno run for your interests, dont know how they calculate the flywheel power ?