I've had my Auterra Palm Dynoscanner for a while now, and thought I'd share some observations and my lastest run.

The Auterra requires accurate base data in its set up file and uses this to calculate SAE wheel HP and torque... figures like temp, humidity & atmospheric pressure ensure a level of accuracy from one day to the next. I've been doing at least 3 runs each map, and when I get two that are within 1 hp & 1ftlb I consider it a good, accurate run, and use those numbers. I use the same stretch of road, and reset the computer between maps. I also cruise around until my IAT temps come down and stabilize.

The results I've been observing over the past few weeks, lead me to believe I have a "Dog" (see the dog thread). Note my bolt-ons below.

I have 5 different maps from MTH. 3 are for upgrades as I added something to the car. 1 is a specific map with an Air/Fuel ratio of 12.5:1 from idle to 5000 rpm, then 11.5:1 from 5000 rpm to 7200rpm (for use in connection with 380cc injectors). The last is a new one that is supposed to have some new upgrade or trick incorporated into it... its been referred to as the "Hot map" over on www.minimods.us. I also put my factory map back in and ran it.

Here's what I saw: All the MTH maps have wonderfully crisp LINIEAR throttle response. All of them lack that final rush of power in the last 1000 rpm of the rev band... they just feel like the run out of steam at the top. Torque curves on all maps were wonderfully flat. They leap up and plateau by 3500 rpm gently undulate by no more than 6lbs to about 6800 rpm where they start to taper off. There is a distinct power delivery "feel" between a factory map and the MTH maps, but I'll be damned if I can see numbers that quantify that feeling?

Pre-GRS Intercooler, my best MTH map run was 163whp / 138lb with map 4 - that had specific A/F ratios. The best run was with the FACTORY map at 170whp / 144lbs.

Post GRS Intercooler: The best MTH map run was with the new "Hot" map which came in at 171whp / 138lbs. However the best score goes to the FACTORY map with 181whp / 152lbs.

2 things surprised me!

1 - I really thought I'd make closer to 200whp with my bolt ons... that was disappointing. I'd ask, is that unrealistic?

2 - Despite mushy throttle response, the factory map stomped the snot out of the MTH maps. The factory maps do have that rush of power in the last 1000rpm.

Comparing pre & post GRS IC data with factory map, I saw an 11whp / 8lbs delta. Cool.

FWIW, I also installed a 19% pulley on a completely stock '05 MCS yesterday. Pre install: 142whp/121lbs.... post install 168whp/138lbs. Damned close to what I was getting pre GRS IC, WITH my all my bolt-ons. This data kinda confirms for me, that my MCS is a bit of a dog.

Hope this is useful.

 

it would be useful to compare your '05 stock numbers (142whp) to results from a conventional dyno for a stock '05. (probably more like (155whp?)

how do you like the auterra? is it for the CAN cars? The auterra site is a bit unclear, suggesting you need can for 2003+.
have you compared the pc version to the palm?

 

The Auterra should work for MINIs of all years. I have one and there is a misconception that the 05 OBDII is different.

I wouldn't put some much emphasis in using the Auterra's dyno for absolute measurements. It is ok to use it to compare before/after. I am unaware they have a PC version, at least when I bought mine.

 

I just checked their site and sure enough now there is the PC version.

If I were to buy it now I wonder which version would I choose. Unless the PC version has more functions or better useability I will stick with the Palm since I already have an extra Palm. I intended to have a semi-fix installation of my Palm so I can use it for parametric monitoring as well as on car dyno. However I still haven't got around to fabricate a mount for it after 5 months.

 

Have you asked Franz about this?

Matt

 

Very handy. I love it and use it all the time to monitor several sensors, and of course do comparison on my car. It does do CAN... or at least the manual says it does. No CAN cars around here to try it with. It worked just fine with my Rick's 2005. Sadly, no true dynos around here in Naples. I'd really like to compare its results with a true dyno run. Rick's 05 sure feels stronger than my 03 did when I first got mine.

The PC version will export dyno runs to an excel spread sheet for easy graph creation, while the Palm version doesn't. A reply from Auterra said they are working on it though.

 

Not in an email, Doc. I did post a question on www.minimods.us where he hangs out to answer mth questions. No response so far.

 

Doc,

Franz posted a somewhat criptic response to my question about such a wide performance variation.

He says: "@BluMiniMe

Torque indicators over OBD are wrong with my software!

I changed the computation "
I guess a real dyno is the only way to go for an accurate comparision.