PCDyno

J-rod · January 20, 2004

I came across a link to http://www.pcdyno.com on the Wester's Garage website and was wondering if any of you guys had used it or own it. It looks like a pretty nifty tool! Are there other hardware/software packages like this out there? Is there a better one? I'm kinda curious since a search of the forum for "pcdyno" yielded 0 results.

edit: <off topic> w000t! I see I've broken into triple-digit-post numbers! (this being # 101) </off topic>

superbee · January 20, 2004

I bought "DeskTop Dyno" in '97, many versions ago. I don't know if this is the same company or just a similar one. I bought it from Summit Racing. If it is then this is what I know: Then it was only an engine building simulator, ie. what are your cam numbers, valve sizes, bore, stroke, intake manifold, exhaust type (long or short tube header or manifold), etc. It was very good then. It helped me build several successful engines. It will also help to educate people with misconceptions of specifications vs. actual power gain. For instance, boring an engine .30 over vs. .60 over is really inconsequential to actual power production. I dont know if it will show power increases with bolt-on stuff like chips, open element air cleaners or cat back systems. I bought it to figure out what cam profiles and carb setup to use and it was very useful.

Hope this helps.

Superbee

J-rod · January 20, 2004

Thanks for the info superbee! It sounds like the PCDyno product may be a little different though. From their site:

PC-DYNO System consists of the following items:

- Sensor mounted on a 4" x 12" x ½" universal portable pad.

- Signal processor with two 25 pin D Connectors (Sensor, PC)

- External 9 VDC Power cable.

- 25 to 9 pin D Cable adapter for PC Comm Port Connection.

- PC-DYNO Software on 3 ½ inch floppy disks.

- PC-DYNO installation and quick start guide.

So this system has a sensor that you connect to a laptop and put it (the sensor) in the vehicle while you make a test run. So basically the sensor is an accelerometer (sp?). Yeah, something like that ...

YZRider · January 20, 2004

I think the G-Tech is an accelerometer also. My son has used it a few times, says it's not a bad tool. I think an accelerometer is probablt the next best thing to a full on dynamometer.