The mathematics of the 8Vvs16V problem

[roccit_53 at hotmail.com (C Boyko)]

This is a preliminary post resulting from my dyno yesterday, and I though 
I'd better post it, since this is such a popular topic for discussion. I 
believe this should lay to rest forever the 16V vs 8V discussion...(as if)

Hypothesis:
That doubling the number of valves doubles the horsepower

Method and all that crap: Toss my two cars on the dyno

Observations:
1987 16V 132.8 hp to the wheels
1979 8V 66.6 hp to the wheels

Analysis and Conclusions:
2^3 = 8  (or 6 in certain circles, when used in probability questions)
2^4 = 16

2^4/2=8, or 16/2=8
132.8/2= damn close to 66.6

Next Experiment:
Toss a 20 V on the dyno....WTF, over 300? Well, now we need a formula I 
guess...


Seriously, dyno day was fun as usual, and after all that tuning (with Klaus 
making the day's low, and Josh C's red beast making the high)
Since Klaus was supposed to have 76 at the crank according to the owner's 
manual (and you lose a bit getting that to the ground) , 66.6 (though a bit 
evil sounding) is damn fine for a car with 171000 miles on the engine (just 
nicely broken in). I guess there is even a picture with his needle buried, 
despite the fact that you could go have lunch while he got to redline. (see, 
there is that time component in the hp formula...)
A few surprises, but most dynoed about where they figured they'd be.

I'll post more about the weekend later, but that should get the flames 
fanned...
cathy, resident stirrer of the poo

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