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Dumb question - removing alt belt for dyno?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SadbutTrue
  • Start date Start date Jun 19, 2009

SadbutTrue

Founding Member
May 1, 2002
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Granada Hills, California
Jun 19, 2009
#1
  • Jun 19, 2009
  • #1
************* says you can probably pick up some power on the dyno by disconnecting the power steering and alternator belts. The P/S is obviously not a big deal, but I was wondering if about the alternator.

My head says that, for the purposes of a dyno run or two, you could run no alternator without killing the battery and without ill effect, but I have talked to some gearheads and everyone i've talked to isn't sure.

So yeah... when I re-dyno my car in a month or so, can I disconnect the alternator belt? I really want 300 at the wheels and am willing to do any little thing that helps to get there
 

iskwezm

10 Year Member
May 24, 2005
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Rowland Heights,California
Jun 19, 2009
#2
  • Jun 19, 2009
  • #2
no worth the 2-3 hp gain
 
1

10secgoal

Active Member
Dec 1, 2003
2,801
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49
San Diego
Jun 19, 2009
#3
  • Jun 19, 2009
  • #3
Why, you'd put it right back on when you left, and wouldn't be an accurate number I don't think. Plus you'd have to rig something to get the water pump to spin. Or you could leave them all off. Bet that water pump soaks up some power, lol
 
2

2+2GT

10 Year Member
Apr 25, 2009
3,333
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79
Southeastern Pennsylvania
Jun 19, 2009
#4
  • Jun 19, 2009
  • #4
SadbutTrue said:
************* says you can probably pick up some power on the dyno by disconnecting the power steering and alternator belts. The P/S is obviously not a big deal, but I was wondering if about the alternator.

My head says that, for the purposes of a dyno run or two, you could run no alternator without killing the battery and without ill effect, but I have talked to some gearheads and everyone i've talked to isn't sure.

So yeah... when I re-dyno my car in a month or so, can I disconnect the alternator belt? I really want 300 at the wheels and am willing to do any little thing that helps to get there
Click to expand...

Yeah, probly only worth a couple of horsepower, but won't hurt anything. I once fried an alternator in Ohio and drove all the way to New Jersey with the belt off.
 
F

ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"
Founding Member
Dec 6, 1999
4,818
1
69
BC Canada
Jun 19, 2009
#5
  • Jun 19, 2009
  • #5
Like already mentioned. It's only a 2 or 3 HP gain.

And again as mentioned... are you doing this for bragging rights, or to actually get an accurate measure of the HP you are producing?
 
R

rebel65

Member
Feb 1, 2004
363
0
17
SF Bay Area
Jun 19, 2009
#6
  • Jun 19, 2009
  • #6
ForceFed70 said:
... are you doing this for bragging rights, or to actually get an accurate measure of the HP you are producing?
Click to expand...

lolols. you know the answer
 

tx65coupe

Active Member
Nov 29, 1999
1,551
1
37
Jun 20, 2009
#7
  • Jun 20, 2009
  • #7
I don't really see the poing to doing that. It won't be but a few horse power tops and its not even an accuarte number.
 

Dark Knight

Founding Member
Feb 1, 2000
2,578
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0
Chandler, Az.
Jun 20, 2009
#8
  • Jun 20, 2009
  • #8
If you cant make 300 to the wheels with that combo, something is wrong. With the MSD, you're going to want to run the alternator.
 

zookeeper

Founding Member
Aug 25, 2001
3,415
63
109
Rogue River, Oregon
Jun 20, 2009
#9
  • Jun 20, 2009
  • #9
SadbutTrue said:
************* says you can probably pick up some power on the dyno by disconnecting the power steering and alternator belts. The P/S is obviously not a big deal, but I was wondering if about the alternator.

My head says that, for the purposes of a dyno run or two, you could run no alternator without killing the battery and without ill effect, but I have talked to some gearheads and everyone i've talked to isn't sure.

So yeah... when I re-dyno my car in a month or so, can I disconnect the alternator belt? I really want 300 at the wheels and am willing to do any little thing that helps to get there
Click to expand...
I've always beena little baffled by this thinking. Hey, we'd all like a car with a ton of rear wheel ponies, but what's the point? I'd rather have a car that can knock out a quick e.t., and that's something the dyno can't do. Use the dyno to maximize your combination, not to give you a false sense of superiority. Think I'm full of it? As yourself how good that dyno sheet is gonna look when and if you actually take it to the strip.
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
6,698
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204
tucson,az
Jun 20, 2009
#10
  • Jun 20, 2009
  • #10
back in the late sixties and early seventies a lot of guys would put a switch in the field wire circuit so that when they ran in competition they could shut down the alternator and pick up a couple of horse power. the reality of that situation was that it made no difference except in the mind of the person doing the driving.
 
C

C0V3R

Member
Feb 14, 2003
524
0
16
Australia
Jun 20, 2009
#11
  • Jun 20, 2009
  • #11
rbohm - I just had a neat idea - how about wiring in the the field wire into a WOT switch - when at WOT, alt isnt chewing juice!

That gives you a mod that you can leave on the car all the time! And if it does give you 1 or 2 hp, its the cheapest 1 or 2 hp you will ever get.
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
6,698
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204
tucson,az
Jun 21, 2009
#12
  • Jun 21, 2009
  • #12
C0V3R said:
rbohm - I just had a neat idea - how about wiring in the the field wire into a WOT switch - when at WOT, alt isnt chewing juice!

That gives you a mod that you can leave on the car all the time! And if it does give you 1 or 2 hp, its the cheapest 1 or 2 hp you will ever get.
Click to expand...

interesting idea, but personally i dont like disconnecting the alternator when the engine is running. all you would need is a marginal coil or ignition box or battery and you now have a miss that seems unexplainable.
 
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