Using the cheap ELM327 OBDII usb interface of my carputer and the software ScanXL, I played around with the dyno function today. I had the program calculate my "final drive ratio" while driving 30mph in second gear, and then I started from a stand still from second gear in my automatic cooper for the actual dyno run. Got anywhere from 80 to 118 HP depending on the condition and incline of the road. Very cool to see the HP and torque curve. I didn't have time to find a nice, open, level road to play with, or even to make multiple runs on the same path. Makes me wish I was living in suburbia. Just thinking of the wide empty roads in Texas where I grew up makes me nostalgic.

Once I find the perfect "drag strip" to calibrate, and if it is indeed somewhat consistent, it'll be fun to compare mods. I just have a drop-in K&N filter and the modified taped intake silencer. It was 50 degrees and 67% humidity pretty much at sea level in Manhattan. I guessed the weight based on specs for an automatic added to my beer gut and car seats and loaded boot.

How much crank horsepower gets lost on the road in our automatics?