Virtual Dyno: adding the RX-8

Modified Dave · 06-27-2012, 08:37 PM

Hi all. Sorry I haven't posted any updates on the Modified Mag RX-8 in a while. Things have been busy, but I'll post some updates in my build thread later this week since there has been a lot of progress lately.

Anyhoo, I wanted to let you all know that the creator of Virtual Dyno, a very cool little computer program that lets you estimate wheel horsepower and torque very accurately by inputting data from a log file (collected using a Cobb AccessPort or a whole bunch of other ECU/datalogging devices), has agreed to add the RX-8 to the program's database of vehicles. I've been in direct contact with Brad the brains behind this program and he's more than happy to work with the RX-8 community to add as many model variants as we can to the database. FYI this is a free program, so he's doing this purely out of a passion for tuning cars (he owns a modified Evo himself) and wants to share it with the enthusiast community in general.

Here's his website:

http://virtualdyno.bradbarnhill.com/

And here's a link that documents how accurate the program is compared to a chassis dyno:

http://innovativetuning.wordpress.co...-virtual-dyno/

And here's where it all started:

http://forums.evolutionm.net/ecuflas...-software.html

So Brad has already added my Series-1 Sport model RX-8 6-speed to the database, based on the following data I sent him (please let me know if I got any of this wrong so Brad can update it):

- 2004-2008 Mazda RX-8 Sport 6-speed

-- 2886 lb curb weight

-- Gear ratios:
Diff - 4.444
1st - 3.760 * 4.444 = 16.7094
2nd - 2.269 * 4.444 = 10.0834
3rd - 1.649 * 4.444 = 6.83932
4th - 1.187 * 4.444 = 5.27503
5th - 1.000 * 4.444 = 4.44400
6th - 0.843 * 4.444 = 3.74629

-- coefficient of drag: 0.31

-- frontal area: 21.6 sq/ft

-- OEM tire diameter (225/45R18): 25.9'

FYI, you can change things like your gearing and tire diameter in the software, since I'm sure many of us have changed to different sized tires, for example. But he needs the OE data as a starting point.

If you'd like him to add other model variants for both the Series-1 and Series-2 car, please post the data here and I'll forward it on to Brad.

I'll post a graph from Virtual Dyno and from a chassis dyno once the ECU tuning is complete and I've made a trip to the dyno. Should have this in the next few weeks.

Thanks for reading and hope you find this snazzy freeware program as intriguing as I do.

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Brettus · 06-27-2012, 10:16 PM

very cool - will have a play with this for sure

monchie · 06-30-2012, 07:56 PM

Seems cool, I'm gonna check it out. Thanks for the link.