Okay, there isn't really a board for this question... sorry about that. Admittedly i'm just posting it where I think the most people will see it. But it is definitely automotive, even if not technically thirdgen.

I'm an econ major currently enrolled in a statistics course. One of the projects for the course is to pick an indepedent variable, and then do a multiple regression analyses using 10-12 other variables to explain the results of the independent variable. In an effort to take advantage of the system for my own personal gain, the indepedent variable I'm going to explain is "Midrange Torque Production of the Carbureted Chevy Smallblock V-8" where "midrange torque" is defined as average torque production using 500 rpm increments from 3000-5500 RPM.

Examples of the types of explanatory variables I'll be using are:

Total displacement
Bore
Stroke
Static Compression Ratio
Gross intake and exhaust valve lift
Net duration
advertised duration
lobe separation
cylinder head flow (I'll probably average flow from about .300" to .500")
intake port size
size of exhaust primaries
carburetor CFM rating
single plane vs. Dual plane
single pattern vs. Dual pattern
total timing

...and probably several more that I'm not thinking of right now.
My question is if anyone is aware of a good reliable source of smallblock chevy dyno tests which can serve as my data sample. I'm aware of at least one book that consists exclusively of ford dyno tests, but I don't really want to work with Ford stuff. Is there a comparable book for Chevy? Is there any readily available book which contains this information?

Keep in mind that to deal adequately with this many random variable I need an extremely large sample size and one for which the specifications and engine dyno readings are reliable. I've also thought about calling one of the major engine shops that has lots of packages (Like American Speed) to see if they have engine specs and complete dyno pulls on their packages in a readily emailable form.

Okay, I've talked enough, I'll open it up for advice now. If anyone knows of any good source for this information, I'd be happy to hear about it, or if you're interested in seeing how some variable affects midrange torque, and its not there, let me know and it'll go in. I know at the outset I think how all of those variable will affect torque, so it would be nice to learn something new out of the project.

So what about it, any good smallblock chevy dyno archives?

Thanks in advance for the help,
Willie C.

 

you can get yourself desktop dyno and plug in some head flow ratings and cam specs for stock small blocks and voila, you got a graph and table

 

I would have to agree with the desktop dyno. You will need a lot of dyno runs with everything else equal but the variable you are changing, or multiple variables. The other problem is that the test results will need to be from the same dyno to have any meaning. In a real world dyno, dyno accuracy, engine temp, air temp, barometric pressure, ect... are all variables you need to account for. With the desktop dyno you should be able to make them static.

 

Thanks yall. I didn't even think of desktop dyno. That would allow me to have an astronomically huge sample size. I was sortof counting on my automotively illiterate professor to not know about things like dyno inconsistencies and barometric pressure. Of course, even if he does, I'm only supposed to analyze like 10 variables, so obviously a lot is going to get left out. I'm thinking of focusing on just one displacement of engine now, since we all know precisely what increasing bore and stroke are going to do. The only potential problem is that we have to document our sources and he may require me to have real-world sample data (e.g. not desktop dyno).

But i've wanted an excuse to buy it for a long time

Thanks,
Willie C.

 

I think Desktop Dyno would be your best bet. Just find some real life dyno runs and compare them to Desktop Dyno's results. That should prove that the program works. It does a pretty good job and if you get all the variables right it'll be close.
I'd use those inconsistencies to my advantage. Just say that pressure, humidity, etc. can cause dynos to read differently in real life and that you are using Desktop Dyno to remove these problems. Also, DD 2000 has a nice feature where you can give it a range for some variable and it'll iterate through and pick the one that gives you the best power.

David

 

I had similar problem with getting large samples. In my Measurements class I tested the quote , "There no replacement for displacement." And I was going to use my G-Tech to get some HP figures from a couple cars. Well my teacher was like you'll need between 20-30 cars, not to mention trying to find a place to run all of these test. . I was like yeah right. So I just went to C&D and got the HP figures from a couple cars. Teachers don't know everything.

 

Back in the day, before the "400 meter" we used to do a thing called the "440". I never broke 49-flat in that either, and it was a couple steps less than the "400m". I'm sure you'll do much better.

As for the data, if/when teh archive search is back in order, you can search for dyno sheets posted by members to substantiate you Deasktop Dyno derived data. Just a thought.

 

Ah yes, good old regression analysis. I remember it well. Villanova Econ major- class of 90. My senior thesis was basically the same idea but I was explaining factors affecting demand for automobiles in the US.

I think your prof might not like the fact that you are using a computer simulation to generate your "data." All you're going to be doing, in effect, is to reverse-engineer some of the math behind desktop dyno. You've got mathematical formulas generating data which you then plug into a computer and it spits out THE ORIGINAL MATHEMATICAL FORMULAS AGAIN.

I'm not saying don't do it. That would be hypocritical of someone who gradulated Magna *** Laude thanks to a copy machine and someobdy else's notes. I'm just trying to give you a little "heads up" on what your prof will say if you come totally clean with where you got your "data" from.

Trust me, man. I aced my regression analysis stuff. I graded papers for my prof. I know what they'll say.