I dynoed the truck this afternoon in 2nd gear because of the speed limiter but for any reason the numbers were very low for a 5.4 3V Whipple charged 8PSI, dynatech longtube headers with high flow cats, magnaflow 16616 catback, electric fans etc...
I read an article here stating that a perfect dyno run has to be in 3rd gear and probably the reason for the low numbers in 2nd gears is the TORQUE MANAGEMENT CONTROL.

"This is the way to dyno our trucks, copied directly from the Edge manual:

"Evolution FORD 4.6 and 5.4 Liter

Using a dynamometer (dyno) to measure the power output of a vehicle is a popular and very accurate method to check the performance gains achieved when making modifications to a vehicle. Traditionally, you would select a gear that would provide a 1:1 ratio through the transmission. This is usually 4th gear on a manual transmission or 3rd gear on a 4 speed automatic transmission. Using these gears provides the most accurate
power rating because the results are not affected by the torque multiplication which can occur when using lower gears.
The F150, however, will not be able to run a full dyno run in 3rd gear. The wheel speeds generated are higher than most dynos will allow. The simple solution is to perform all dyno runs in 2nd gear, although this method can present problems due to the F150’s torque management control system.
Torque management is nothing new. Manufacturers have been using it to control rev limiters, speed limiters and traction control for many years. The F150 also uses torque management to control the actual rate of acceleration of the vehicle. There is also torque management present when the transmission is placed in 1st and 2nd gears. The torque management can cause erratic and inaccurate dyno results. Because of the torque
management, it is moderately difficult to achieve accurate results from dyno runs.
Currently, the most consistent and accurate method of performing dyno runs is as follows:
• Obtain a scan tool that allows for “Active Command” modes. The Hickok NGS™
is the one Edge Products uses for testing and also the recommended tool. (Note:
Diagnostic modes may vary between tool manufacturers and some options may not
be available, including “Active Command” modes.)
• With the vehicle in “Drive” and using the scan tool in “Active Command” mode,
select 2nd gear and lock the torque converter. This will prevent the transmission
from shifting into 3rd giving you a clean run over the full RPM range.
• Accelerate the vehicle to between 1750 and 2000 RPM. Maintain a steady RPM
before beginning your run. To achieve consistent and accurate results, all
subsequent runs should be made from the same RPM starting point.
• Complete your dyno run as normal.
This method should provide accurate performance results.
Note: Performance calculations may vary from dyno to dyno, even among dynos of the same model. Calculated performance values will also vary based on many factors including vehicle condition, ambient weather conditions, geographic location (altitude), fuel quality, and other factors. The gains you achieve may be higher or lower than the average advertised gains achieved during testing. This is normal and does not necessarily
indicate a problem with the product."
__________________________________________________ ______________[

Let's see what happens when i install the 2 7/8" pulley, the tune will be without a speed limiter then i will be able to dyno the truck in 3rd gear.



Sorry for the size of the graph, numbers are:
Hp: 337.55
TR: 343.63
98 Degrees, Humidity 16%

 

Look at the difference of rwtrq in 2nd and 3rd gear. Why ???






Sorry for the graph but here are the numbers:
1) 2nd gear= 343.63.
2) 3rd gear= 397.64.

 

a couple things.
1, i havent been keeping up with this site much lately, but i assume you are having the thing tuned? you would have to in order to run that setup i assume, and i dont know why the tuner didnt remove the speed limiter. that is one the first things to go
2, if you are going to have to dyno it in 2nd gear you should save your money cause you arent going to get true readings. the different gearing of the gears of the transmission causes the discrepancy in the numbers between 2nd and third gear.
3, and most importantly, tell the tuner to remove that stupid torque management, its robbing serious power!

 

You are the man BullitMcQueen, you just said what i wanted to hear, i was very concerned about the low numbers in 2nd gear, now i feel better. BTW, i am not tuning the truck, i just dynoed it because Dustin will send me a new pulley for 12psi, 39lbs injectors, 95mm maf sensor and a new tune for it then i would like to have the before and after numbers but dynoing in 2nd gear as you said it's not the way to go, thanks a lot for the post .

 

I was thinking the same thing.
Speed limeter and 2 gear?I would save my money untill you got it right.

Phil

 

Took me awhile but I found the original dyno chart first run from my truck after installing our kit and running a 50 mile break in. (as you can see on the sheet dyno run 001) Still had the speed limiter on at 98mph (which by the way you don't hit the speed limiter in second gear) I do agree that the numbers are not as good as they should be, but I wouldn't have expected as much of a drop as Rafa is seeing. This is an ALL stock F150 4x4 Supercab long bed with 3.55:1 axles, no cat back exhaust no other changes other than the Powerworks kit at 61/2 - 7 PSI.

I've made quite a few more changes to the truck including balancing the driveline and changing over to speed rated tires and removing the limiter. If all of this stuff you guys are talking about is true, I can't wait to run her again in 3rd.

 

I just shipped my PCM to Whipple this afternoon, they will re-tune it for the 2 7/8" pulley, 95mm maf sensor, 39lbs cobra injectors. No speed limiter.
Let's see what happens when i put all together, i am planning to take the truck to the dyno right after i install the parts.

 

The idea that most dynos cant handle the wheel speed of an F150 in 3rd is CRAZY.

Whats different about the F150 ? Most street cars/trucks on a dyno in 3rd gear will be hitting over 100mph, how will the fact that its an F150 effect that ? Does a corvette go slower at peak rpm in 3rd ? No. Does a toyota truck ? No

Sounds like BS to me. Using the scan tool to lock the truck in 3rd gear and lock the torque converter isnt a bad idea and will prevent a down shift.

my $0.02

 

Yeah, it's BS. The problem is that the truck hits the speed limiter in 3rd at 99mph. I've had dynojet dynos over 160mph with TT corvettes at over 900rwhp and 1000rwtq. It's not a speed or hp thing. Just that the F150 hits the limiter. Locking the truck in a gear will prevent the downshift. Locking the converter will give you higher hp numbers but may actually give you less TQ because you won't get the tq multiplication through the converter. It's not going to do anything for the tq management and really isn't representative of how the truck runs on the street/track which is where it counts IMHO.

TG

 

Nice post, thanks for the info!

 

The problem with dynoing the 04-06 F-150's is that the drive shaft is not supportive of the MPH achieved with a 3rd gear pull. Especially the 4x2's in the Supercrew and Scab versions as they have 2 piece driveshafts...

 

Not all 4x2 Supercrews have 2 piece driveshafts. I have a 1 piece aluminum driveshaft on my 05 Screw.