Underrated HP on 05-06 GTs


djs

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Jun 7, 2007
2,082
Sorry if this has been posted before, but I just saw it:

http://driving.ca/bmw/m5/auto-news/news/five-of-the-most-underrated-engines-and-their-true-power

Don’t think that underrating engines is something unique to the 1960s. The practice of saying your engine is less powerful than it actually is can still be used to full insurance companies. Ford rated the 5.4-litre supercharged V8 in the GT at 550 horsepower at the crank. This dyno test of a stock GT produced 562 horsepower at the wheels. This is a staggering number and other GT owners have reported stock cars producing 520 to 550 horsepower to the wheels. If we factor in a conservative 15% drivetrain loss, that means these engines are actually making around 630 horsepower!
 
Sometimes 'sandbagging' has nothing to do with 'fooling insurance companies' :wink:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/news/a28034/gt-sandbagging-daytona/
 
mine came in at 535 rwhp, stock
 
Those numbers are really about right. The only thing that may be a little off is the parasitic loss through the trans. While common rules say 15% loss, the GT trans has about a 10% loss. This is from the Ricardo tech I worked with for a while.
 
My stock GT pulled 557 RWHP on the Stillen chassis dyno.
 
HP can vary from one dyno to another depends on how they are set up and operated.
 
Accu fab put a stock engine on their engine dyno years ago. I think it came it at 617 to 620 HP if I recall..
 
My stock GT was in the 530s stock when it was dyno'd. Potential, as we all know, is the sky!

Ed
 
HP can vary from one dyno to another depends on how they are set up and operated.

Yup, I'm guessing a 50hp variation depending on type of dyno, make, and operator. My car made 614 fwhp on a German inertia dyno. Torrie commented that it would have been 650+ on a dynojet. There is always the temptation to show big numbers to keep the customer happy, but when using the dyno to tweak the tune the absolutes don't really matter; its all about improvements made from adjusting the tune
 
What do you guys care? Red cars are the fastest.
 
What do you guys care? Red cars are the fastest.

Only downhill!

Ed
 
Thanks for the info.


Ford is careful never to repeat the '99 Mustang Cobra debacle.
 
What do you guys care? Red cars are the fastest.

throw 35lbs of boost at the engine......that will wake it up.