have you ever had your HP checked?

[Cees Klumper]

(this is not off-topic as in "check your printer")

With all of the issues that affect our cars' performance I would venture to wage that the deviation from the original intended horesepower can be dramatic.

So ... is there anyeone who has had their car tested on a dynometer. What were the results, what does something like that cost and is it recommended/worthwhile to check whether your car has issues?

Cees ("Case") Klumper  :?:  in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

Download Attachment: dynometer.jpg
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[TheEngineer]

I have thought of putting mine in the dyno. We have a facility here in Tacoma, it costs about $80 and I have seen print-outs of results from other vehicles. IMHO this is the only true verification that the engine and transmission works as it should. I think, that most owners don't do it, is for the same reason, I haven't done it: I'm afraid to get very disappointed

[Cees Klumper]

Thanks, my thoughts as well.

Maybe an idea would be to strike a group deal with a facility and organize a small event around it: 10-15 Pagoda's all showing up at the place for a check-up, handkerchiefs at the ready. I will see whether I can find one in The Netherlands for us members here.

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[TheEngineer]

cees: If  you can't find a handkerchief in The Netherlands, I may be able to find one here.

[W113SL]

Cees and all:  I was going to have my vinage 280SL race car dyno tested.  never got to it.  The problem is I wanted to tune the fuel delivery system for max power.  This would necessitate getting inside the back end of the pumo, which would take time.  An hours worth which can run $75 to 100.

If you can get you engine in near perfect tune, or the tune your prefer for daily driving, the HP at the rear whhels may only be 145 to 150 for 280's and 135 tp 140 for 230 and 250's.

This is because there will likely be a 20% loss in the drive train and the HP rating was a bit optpmistic in the decade of the 1960's.

Interested if anyone did this.  

Pete Lesler

[TheEngineer]

As I said, I got very disappointed: Had my car on a dyno: Got a max power reading of 156.2 HP only. Went up to 116 MPH at 5420 rpm. Max torque was 119 ftlbs at 4000 rpm. And I thought, I had the engine running very nicely. However, this is the first time I saw a torque curve on this engine and it is reasonably flat.

[Chad]

quote:Originally posted by theengineer

As I said, I got very disappointed: Had my car on a dyno: Got a max power reading of 156.2 HP only. Went up to 116 MPH at 5420 rpm. Max torque was 119 ftlbs at 4000 rpm. And I thought, I had the engine running very nicely. However, this is the first time I saw a torque curve on this engine and it is reasonably flat.

Hey that data sounds good to me! What rpm did  you get the engine up to at max?

That's pretty cool that you got the dyno checkout. It's also rather brave, at least to a chicken with an unrebuilt engine like me.