Finding lost horses

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   Having watched an episode of Top Gear where actual horsepower of cars were tested, as opposed to stated horsepower, as at the time of manufacture, the loss of horsepower was quite startling, depending upon the age and mileage of the car concerned. I was just wondering where and how can this test be carried out. Is it a simple compression test that can be done at most garages, given that the loss in power is directly related to loss of power via loss of compression. More importantly, can these lost horses be replaced or supplemented in any way, apart from remapping or chipping. Are there any other simple quick fixes that could be employed. My 1990 735 certainly doesn't seem short on power but I'd be interested to see what it is actually putting down on the road.
Thanks.

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sogood Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01-March-2008 Location: Kerry Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote sogood Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Finding lost horses Posted: 22-January-2009 at 15:52
	Having watched an episode of Top Gear where actual horsepower of cars were tested, as opposed to stated horsepower, as at the time of manufacture, the loss of horsepower was quite startling, depending upon the age and mileage of the car concerned. I was just wondering where and how can this test be carried out. Is it a simple compression test that can be done at most garages, given that the loss in power is directly related to loss of power via loss of compression. More importantly, can these lost horses be replaced or supplemented in any way, apart from remapping or chipping. Are there any other simple quick fixes that could be employed. My 1990 735 certainly doesn't seem short on power but I'd be interested to see what it is actually putting down on the road. Thanks.

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Dergside Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 16-May-2004 Location: Mid West, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 4000	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dergside Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22-January-2009 at 18:12
	A rolling road session is the best way to identify the output that the car is making in reality. If generated by a compentent operator the metrics gathered may give a hint to the reason for the discrepancy from expected output if its outside of the expected range. Some deviations from factory figures can be expected because of production tolerances, etc. of the specific engine.
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