Dynamometer Testing and Runs with new Porsches!!!

[WillyDaP]

On Wednesday AM I was in Topeka at Multi-Time SCCA National Champion Jesse Prather's shop to get a my Dyno run requirement for NASA Classification. I have known Jesse for years and he is a very careful and knowledgeable gentleman who many believe builds the best Mazda motors in the US! I am not sure one could count all the wins he and the cars he built motors for have had over the years. I have had his do dynos on my Boss 302S race car, and another Mustang in years past and his runs and data is always super consistent. Plenty of folks in the Midwest have him do Dyno runs for NASA and SCCA Midiv, though his primary focus is building killer race motors. I had gotten some tie down hooks from Rennline and we installed those prior to hooking the Cayman up to his Dynojet Dynamometer. Turning off traction control and everything else we started the first run , but on came the ABS light and along with showing the Traction Control had kicked in. Jesse tried a couple of other tricks but with calls to Porsche of Omaha and three other Porsche Tuners we found out that the new Porsches will not Dyno unless the front wheels are also turning . With the front wheels static, the ABS and Traction Control systems still revert to safety mode thinking there is an issue. Hence we found out an AWD Dyno needs to be used , but Jesse was not willing to give up and he checked one last time with a well known ( in the Midwest ) friend who builds and races Porsches. Finally convinced there was not a solution he did find out that one even had to be cautious taking a Porsche to an AWD Dyno as there would be the same failure if it was not a " Linked " system. Most AWD Dynos run a split set up similar to what cars might shift their power on a AWD vehicle, whereas a " Linked " system matches from and rear to fool the front ABS and other systems in order to get a reading.

Hopefully this is helpful for others and I have dropped notes to NASA, because their rules state emphatically a 2 wheel drive car must be one on a 2WD Dynojet and my Porsche and others are going to need a AWD " Linked " Dynamometer. Mustang Dynos are the leaders in that area so a new ruling needs to include them, as they are more prevalent than Dynojet Linked ones. With many areas in the US lacking AWD Dynamometers some flexibility needs to occur.

I am hoping this info will help others with getting a Dyno sheet finished for NASA or others and there might be an Aurel Tool available to defeat the Porsche system, though the one big Tuner we talked to said an AWD system was best --- and they had not worked on any 24s.

If you have an older Porsche or any other vehicle that needs a Dyno run for the Midiv SCCA Region Time Trials or for NASA MidAmerica , I would check Jesse Prather Motorsports. I have had few times where someone was so patient and tried so hard to find a solution and then apologized more than once for not knowing about the Cayman GTS. Extremely conscientious but even calling various Porsche Tuners not all of them knew the issue. Porsche of Omaha actually said they thought it might be due to the front tires not moving and that proved to be correct and a few more calls gave us the answer.

Will post if I get an answer from NASA , though so far the process they suggested has me fearing I may not have a legal Dyno Run for their rules.

[blueline]

Hopefully you'll get it solved. I'll ask around.

[WillyDaP]

Oh, I have found a AWD Dynojet Shop 2 hours away with a " Linked " Dyno, but for now drivers like me, with newer Porsches are not likely going to be able to get a Dyno done with NASA approval. Accomplishing it on a " Linked " AWD Dyno should suffice , but with the current ruling by NASA they flat state all 2WD vehicles must be on a Dynojet 2WD Dyno ---- that is the bigger issue.

[WillyDaP]

We just need a NASA rule change.

[J-Dub]

I have heard that some cars can be put into "dyno mode" however I have not yet determined exactly what, how and which models are capable. Will report back if I find any details. Clearly we have seen 718s on the dyno on YouTube.

[WillyDaP]

Thanks, apparently older models were okay and there might be some tool from Aurel that will help defeat the and put in a Dyno mode, but there were some replies on some threads stating newer Porsches did not have a way to defeat or put in Dyno mode. I am hoping to find out something but I have found a place with a AWD " Linked Dyno " and could get it done there if NASA would only preview and alter their rules to allow a change. I am sure not excited about trailering my car across three or four States to a major Porsche Tuner that has all the necessary items to get a Dyno done, though I am hoping I can find someone who has done the runs with an Aurel tool ---- supposedly the company makes various devices for European vehicles to defeat or override programing to allow a dyno to be run? Unfortunately, at present I have not found anyone close using one of these systems , though I found folks stating I need an AWD " Linked " Dyno .

Appreciate your help.

[SirLapsalot]

All cars should have a Dyno mode.

IIRC the EPA uses 2WD dynos (yes even for 4WD cars [prop shaft removed]) to officially certify them for their applicable Emissions and Fuel Economy label values. So any car that goes through certification (i.e. any car you can purchase in the U.S.) should have a dyno mode to allow it to be driven on a 2WD dyno.

It sounds like those guys just don't know how to put your car into dyno mode. I would not expect a dealer to know how do it without their dealer tool. Even if they did, I wouldn't expect any dealer would be willing to tell a tuner shop how to do it.

You just need to find someone who knows. It's typically a combination of pedal dances/button presses/gear position changes in a specific sequence.

[WillyDaP]

Sirlapsalot,

Many thanks as I found out this AM I can do a AWD Dyno with NASA they still suggest using a Dynojet. The only item I was able to get from two Porsche Tuner shops was the use of an Aurel Tool that should defeat or allow a 2WD dyno run, but no one would even commit that it would work on a 2024. I appreciate your note as it makes a ton of sense and maybe I can find a shop that has used and owns the proper tool for a Porsche, but in the meantime I found two AWD Dyno shops with Dynojet Linx systems. Appreciate you reaching out and helping a fellow Carpoke as I am anxious to get the GTS on track and destroy some rubber!!

[winstond]

I found all this out at Livernois Motorsports in Dearborn, with my 2014 GT3, had to get the front rollers going (My dyno run is posted, I think under pictures.

[WillyDaP]

Interesting , so it has apparently been a necessity for longer than thought. I am not sure what the Aurel Tool is that was mentioned , but Sirlapsalot has a very valid point so I imagine there are some folks out there that have figured out that method. No one near me is aware, so appreciate the feedback from Carpokes and I will post my results when I decide which of the two closest AWD Linx Dynojet Shops I wander over to. Next week is getting Stek PPF done at Sharper Image in Bellevue, Nebraska.