Motordyne 5/16 copper iso thermal plenum spacer - Power losses?!?!??

S

sama156

Member
Location
Warsaw
OK, so I got some work done on our 2007 FX35. Akebono brakes, brake lines, pads, BC Racing coilovers...and decided to throw in Motordyne 5/16 copper iso thermal plenum spacer for good measure as the only power mod.

I have done my share of power tuning earlier with my previous car, and I like to always do before/after dyno test to see the results. I just got the dyno report via email this morning and I was initially very happy: nice gains accross the board, impressive improvement especially in torque...but wait, why are the dates wrong or...hey, these are power LOSSES, not gains???!!!

The tests were performed by the same dyno operator over two consequtive days. During the 2nd test, it was +3C warmer (26.6C vs. 29.6C). It was indeed a hot day, but still...can't really believe that 3C temperature would explain such a big difference.

What do you make out of this? I started to suspect that something went wrong during the installation. Is there any typical installation error that would explain this?

Just when I was so pleased with the outcome and thought that our FX is now sorted for the coming few years...


infinitifx35.jpg
 
I'm confused a bit here. What mods you have for the Dyno Run1 vs Run2?

Could it be RUN1 (BOLD) is without the MD Spacer and the RUN2 is with?

I have the MD 5/16 copper spacer installed for years, I feel the extra power when installed.
 
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The 1st base run (thin line) is bone stock, the 2nd run (thick line) is after the spacer installation. They have the RUN1 and RUN2 markings backwards (look at the time stamps on the right - RUN2 was actually before RUN1).

Could it be ECU reset issue...it needs to be reset after installation, right?
 
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ok, noticed the timestamp on the right column. ECU reset would be recommended.
 
Interesting...

Looks a little fishy, almost as if the runs were flipped or something.

Also, you said bone stock, so how is it hitting almost 7700 RPM?
 
StuLax18 said:
Interesting...Looks a little fishy, almost as if the runs were flipped or something.Also, you said bone stock, so how is it hitting almost 7700 RPM?
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I agree, something ain't right here. Dyno operator error? This is the first time on this particular dyno. And yeah, at least to my knowledge this car has still standard ECU map and the max RPMs caught my eye as well. RPM calibration problem? I will investigate this and report back...
 
sama156 said:
I agree, something ain't right here. Dyno operator error? This is the first time on this particular dyno. And yeah, at least to my knowledge this car has still standard ECU map and the max RPMs caught my eye as well. RPM calibration problem? I will investigate this and report back...
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Hey, I'm just curious how it went? I just had mine installed, curious to see the dyno result.
 
Got this mod too but I also had a CAI and exhaust. The ECU does need to be reset, then it has to go through the adaptive learning cycle after that. Mine started feeling better during my second tank of gas. To really take advantage of what the spacer does for you, an ECU tune using aftermarket software is necessary. I have dyno charts posting before and after ECU tune (all other mods the same) and the result was an additional 23 whp.

Without the ECU tune the bolt on mods are just not optimized. The 5/16 spacer in particular benefits the midrange RPMs, which is where most of us spend our time when trying to actually use power. Just daily driving, I don't think you would notice it at all. A spacer along with an intake makes the engine growl. Sounds so good! You will feel it when the air/fuel and timing is adjusted to take advantage.
 
Looking back at this again, the dynos were done over 24 hours apart. Generally you want to have the dynos back-to-back, without even removing the vehicle. That's how I did my testing on the port and polished TB, and how Tony at Motordyne does his testing. He also does multiple runs to ensure there aren't any outliers. Now I wasn't there for his spacer dynos, just the spacer + MREV2 on the HR, but I would take his dynos over something like this.
 
Sorry to jack this threat, but since this about a recent plenum install, I have a huge concern right now and hopefully some of you guys can chime in:
I recently installed the 5/16 copper iso-thermal plenum spacer on my 07 fx. My only problem is that under quick accerlation or revving the engine there is a new noise that was not there previously (or maybe it was but just not so loud). I am not sure if this is normal or not. Hoping with the help of some of the other members here I can figure it out. Ive only read on a G35 forum that a lot of ppl have/had this and it is quite normal, what would you guys say? On a positive note, the plenum spacer makes this thing even more fun to drive!

My mods: z tube/stillen intake, MD 5/15 copper iso
 
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Hmm, there should not be any additional noise with plenum mods. Can you describe the noise? Only possible noise that I can think of would be a vacuum leak.
 
this is exactly what I am hearing:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNOo0euO5vM&feature=player_embedded
thanks for your fast reply by the way, i appreciate your help.
this is something i've read:"its just a lot more air going in and now u can hear it getting sucked in the whistle sound is from throttle body flapper opening and closing"
---------- Post Merged at 08:57 AM ---------- Previous Post was at 04:45 AM ----------

turbocad has helped me out with this one, ignore the "hissing" sound its more of a "whistle" which he said sounds pretty normal, but others can also let me know

thanks!
 
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Make sure when you installed it that the metal gasket didn't get messed up, since I assume you added the iso-thermal gasket.
 
I ended up actually contacted motordyne this afternoon, shown them the video as well, they said its perfectly normal and the the whistle is just from added air passing through the throttle body ... thanks for your help everyone.
 
Hi, a short update. I redynoed ours after resetting ECU and a few tanks of adaption time. We eventually gained +5hp crank (269hp vs 264).
 
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