I was over at the Mini-Madness website looking at their products, and I saw something on their dyno results that puzzled me. Now, I have to admit that I'm not a motorhead, but I tend to think I understand most things mechanical. In their ad for the Evotech ECU upgrade and for their Air Intake Filter, they show baseline power for the Cooper S engine at 147 to 150 bhp (from two independent shops).

Is this real? Are the 163 bhp numbers that Mini advertises for the Mini inflated, or is Mini-Madness artificially lowering the baseline numbers to sell their upgrades ??

Any thoughts ??

Thanks,
Spike

 

I think what you're seeing is wheel HP as opposed to crankshaft HP. Just a guess,
MB

 

Indeed.

Most actual dyno numbers are done at the wheels. This number will ALWAYS be somewhat lower than the manufacturer's advertised HP, which is usually calculated at the crank. The weight of the components in between robs horsepower (like the heavy MINI wheels and tires).

So the artificial inflation actually happens at the auto manufacturer. They all do it. The fact is, your MINI S has about 147 usable horsepower from the showroom, not 163.

 

Aaaahhh !!

That makes sense. Should have thought of that. Thanks for the lesson.

Happy Motoring !!

Spike