Bench testing engine
 

Hello!

I am curious what's involved with bench testing an engine. Anybody done this before? Obviously I need a gas tank and oil tank. Anything else? How is the engine supported? Is an engine stand enough?

I might even try to come up with some sort of dyno. Any ideas on this?

Thanks!
BK

BK
Seems like a good idea considering how much money gets dumped into these motors around here.
I have'nt built a dyno or used one but a quick search turned up this, http://www1.cedar-rapids.net/tdkmotor/WHATDYNO.HTM

its made for testing go kart engines but the principles are the same. I have'nt read the complete article yet but it seems very doable.

Mounting the motor seems to be the easiest part of the project.

A project I have planned is to build a custom turbo intake.Similar to the 935 intakes.

If I had access to an engine dyno I could check the effects of varying the intake runner lengths.

Or seeing how shorti tube headers affect performance vs equal length headers

or tuning the engine management system or ......

Thanks for the info gentlemen! Fortunately I have most of the parts laying around to replicate the fuel, oil and electrical systems. I didn't even think about starting! Kind of hard to bench test if you can't get it started! I guess whatever support frame I end up fabricating will need some provision for a starter. I'll probably replicate the tranny connections. Sound simple? We'll see!

BK

Beware! I have had occasions at times to 'bench test' starters. Acually, that's a misnomer. I "floor test" them. And when I do, I hold them down with my foot. Now, their torque is not violent, but these little guys are pretty strong for as small as they are, and if my foot were not on them they would JUMP!

So, what I am suggesting is that the engine be secured as though its torque, and the tendency for the entire engine to flip in the direction opposite that of the crankshaft, should not be underestimated. I think you don't want your new engine to leap two feet in the air and flip over. I would not expect an ordinary engine stand to be sufficient. I would expect the engine's torque to flip it, and an ordinary engine stand, on its ear in a hurry.

Starting?

How about finding a junk transaxle and cutting the bell housing off. While your at it weld on a bracket on to the bell housing and use the bell housing as the third "point" for mounting the engine.

I am going to do some more research, but it seems the best bench tester may be the rear of a 911! But I'm not giving up yet!

Contact Dave Banazek at Dart Auto. He recently built one and it definitely looks workable/interesting.

www.dartauto.com

check out the engine photo competition...

wayne posted a engine on a trolly that has oil hook ups etc...

is that for a bench tester????

MJ

Yup, Contact Tom Woodford at 1-760-731-7535 for that beauty...

-Wayne