Desktop Dyno Programs

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middleagecrisis

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Anybody have any user experience with any of the desktop dynos and want to make a recommendation? I have enough possible combinations with the various parts I have to warrant buying a program, but I want the most user friendly and fairly accurate (for a computer estimate) horsepower/torque readings.
 
The more “user friendly” the program is the less accurate it will be.

The Performance Trends engine software is very user friendly. I’d start there.
 
Anybody have any user experience with any of the desktop dynos and want to make a recommendation? I have enough possible combinations with the various parts I have to warrant buying a program, but I want the most user friendly and fairly accurate (for a computer estimate) horsepower/torque readings.
I think I had desktop dyno, it's OK playing around with different cams and heads, but intake exhaust etc.. Is Pretty generic, it ain't gonna tell ya if for eg.. An airgap is better than performer etc..
 
Thoughts on "Comp Cams, Desktop Dyno 5 Software"? 273: We must have posted at the same time. I definitely want to be able to compare between single and dual plane manifolds.
 
Thoughts on "Comp Cams, Desktop Dyno 5 Software"?
What are you hoping it will tell ya ?
Cam choice ?

I wouldn't get hung up on the hp/tq numbers but probably give you a decent idea of the curves to help pick a cam or narrow choice down.
 
Thoughts on "Comp Cams, Desktop Dyno 5 Software"? 273: We must have posted at the same time. I definitely want to be able to compare between single and dual plane manifolds.
I don't like it cause it won't work on a Chromebook. lol I wish somebody made something that's work.
 
Another thing to know, if you get the software for your Windows 10 machine, when you switch to Windows 11 (or another version) it won't work on the new operating system. I have bought 3 versions throughout the years. No more!
 
We've already had the discussion before about deciding between two of my cam choices: Cam Thoughts
To muddy the waters, I bought this solid FT cam:
Norris cam #356DMS 304/312* 244/258* .534/.517" 107 LSA Now it's between these two solid FT Cams, as I've pretty much eliminated the Hydraulic FT choice. One FT Cam is modern (Hughes) and will make more HP, but I'm afraid is going to beat the valvetrain to death. The other is an older "lazier" profile (Norris), but will be easier on the valvetrain. My rocker shafts are new, adjustable rocker arms with .080 hardened 5/16 pushrods. I know everyone loves to bench race, but I figured the dyno desktop would give me a better idea of how much power and powerband difference.
 
it's not gonna give result I'd use to make a choice with between single and dual.

Why?

I've got Dyno2000. It's old, doesn't have the features of the bigger tools, and I have no idea how accurate it is. Certainly not going to predict exact results, but seems to be fair at comparison.

Here is a dual vs single test. Seems like a reasonable result, just what I would expect.

1761769521803.png


That said, it can't do an airgap vs single vs dual. So it's maybe more a comparison of an old school dual vs. single.
 

I saw the "Dyno2000" as an option and was going to ask about this option, but saw it was older and didn't know if anyone was using it. How do you like it? Can you enter your own cam specs, or do you have to choose between listed profiles?
 
I saw the "Dyno2000" as an option and was going to ask about this option, but saw it was older and didn't know if anyone was using it. How do you like it? Can you enter your own cam specs, or do you have to choose between listed profiles?
I used it for years. I like it. But remember the old adage "garbage in, garbage out". You need to enter as much accurate information as possible. As long as you do that, your results are pretty spot on.
 
Why?

I've got Dyno2000. It's old, doesn't have the features of the bigger tools, and I have no idea how accurate it is. Certainly not going to predict exact results, but seems to be fair at comparison.

Here is a dual vs single test. Seems like a reasonable result, just what I would expect.

View attachment 1716472921

That said, it can't do an airgap vs single vs dual. So it's maybe more a comparison of an old school dual vs. single.
How do you combine tests on the same graph on Dyno2000? I didn't know you could do that.
 
Cause it uses generic manifolds and results, it don't tell you the results say from an performer vs rpm airgap vs a Victor jr etc.., it will tell a general trend we see between single plane and dual. But we don't need software to tell us a trend we already know. But on the OP's engine the results could be different from the general trend and only way to know that's is test it in the real world.
I've got Dyno2000. It's old, doesn't have the features of the bigger tools, and I have no idea how accurate it is. Certainly not going to predict exact results, but seems to be fair at comparison.

Here is a dual vs single test. Seems like a reasonable result, just what I would expect.

View attachment 1716472921

That said, it can't do an airgap vs single vs dual. So it's maybe more a comparison of an old school dual vs. single.
Going by that graph the hp gains definitely outweigh the small loss down low, but is that a realistic result that will be similar in the OP's case probably not from the dyno test I've seen.
 
I saw the "Dyno2000" as an option and was going to ask about this option, but saw it was older and didn't know if anyone was using it. How do you like it? Can you enter your own cam specs, or do you have to choose between listed profiles?

I like it, but I'm not an engine builder either.

You can enter airflow, cam specs, even calculate compression ratios.

1761770330235.png


1761770348475.png


1761770362969.png


1761770377425.png


But like Rusty said, garbage in, garbage out. Like if the airflow numbers I entered above are inflated, then it's going to skew the info.

The funny thing is, the help file says advertised (seat to seat) numbers for the cam will give more accurate results. But the 0.050 lift numbers are a better indication of how the cam will work per my understanding.

Either way, I have a bunch of runs over the years I have saved, but all I really do with it is look at things like how one cam will compare to another. So I don't really care so much about actual vs. theoretical results, more just how two (or more) tests would compare. Like I showed in my first post.

I have played with trying to match advertised HP numbers for stock motors, like a 2011 392, and came pretty close. But it was more just for fun, didn't have any plans for it. And since it can't do things like an intake that runs like both a dual and a single plane (AirGap), the SRV function of the 6.4 intake is just not an option.
 
Cause it uses generic manifolds and results, it don't tell you the results say from an performer vs rpm airgap vs a Victor jr etc.., it will tell a general trend we see between single plane and dual. But we don't need software to tell us a trend we already know. But on the OP's engine the results could be different from the general trend and only way to know that's is test it in the real world.

Yeah, can't argue with you there. The intakes are generic, wish they had a bigger spread or more options.

The exhaust is the same way. Stock vs. performance manifolds, and then small or large tube headers, both with and without mufflers. But no short vs. long tubes, and manifolds are a complete guess as to what the model is using.

Going by that graph the hp gains definitely outweigh the small loss down low, but is that a realistic result that will be similar in the OP's case probably not from the dyno test I've seen.

The graph I posted are all dependent on the heads, cam, exhaust etc. So no, the difference isn't something that could be applied to the OP's situation. But it does give a general idea, and that's all you are going to get from something like this anyways.
 
Here's another comparison. This time with a 300hp crate motor, one with the dual plane and the other a single plane. The single plane intake gained 6hp at the top, but look at all the torque lost below 3700 rpm. Combination is everything.

1761772406593.png


Here is the dual plane table:

1761772474423.png


And the single plane table:

1761772510814.png


Based on that, I think it is safe to say the single plane intake on a 300hp crate motor is a bad choice. Fair assessment?
 
Here's another comparison. This time with a 300hp crate motor, one with the dual plane and the other a single plane. The single plane intake gained 6hp at the top, but look at all the torque lost below 3700 rpm. Combination is everything.
I wouldn't focus so much on the torque loss especially low, looking at torque loss gives an exaggerated view of the loss, what you want is best average hp for whatever your doing, 0-60, 1/4, 1/8 light to light etc..

View attachment 1716472945

Here is the dual plane table:

View attachment 1716472947

And the single plane table:

View attachment 1716472949

Based on that, I think it is safe to say the single plane intake on a 300hp crate motor is a bad choice. Fair assessment?
 
Here's another comparison. This time with a 300hp crate motor, one with the dual plane and the other a single plane. The single plane intake gained 6hp at the top, but look at all the torque lost below 3700 rpm. Combination is everything.

View attachment 1716472945

Here is the dual plane table:

View attachment 1716472947

And the single plane table:

View attachment 1716472949

Based on that, I think it is safe to say the single plane intake on a 300hp crate motor is a bad choice. Fair assessment?
How'd you plot two tests on the same graph?
 
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