WHAT’S INVOLVED? | ECOTUNE’S BELT-LINKED DYNO

‘What’s Involved?’ is an all-new mini-series that aims to give you more of an insight into the impressive work the talented team here at Ecotune perform on a daily basis.

This week, we’re looking at what could arguably be described as the heart of the entire company – the 4WD belt-linked dynamometer that helps the team to get an insight into each car’s ECU before one of the firm’s infamous bespoke calibrations is carefully applied for optimum results.

THE BACK-STORY

Ecotune is home to an intimate operation and is one of Scotland’s few genuine software development centres, where boundless research and development on various marque produces unparalleled engine management calibrations for many leading tuning centres throughout the UK, Europe and beyond (with resellers in Nordic regions, Taiwan and even as far as Australia).

As such, Ecotune’s development needs called for a very unique dynamometer that could provide genuine road simulation where required; allowing proprietary functions such as traction and stability systems to remain fully functional during testing. 

THE DYNO

Ecotune’s dynamometer is a bespoke unit with a switchable belt-linkage system which – where required – links the front and rear rollers in perfect sync. This unique linkage system allows for precision tuning whilst for example running cruise control at various load levels bringing a whole new perspective to part-throttle software optimisation. This oversized cradle roll unit is capable of accurately measuring up to 1200whp per axle. Tests such as all-gear, single-gear, steady-state, step- and coast-down for drivetrain loss measurement are all possible, supported by two 7500lb Frenesla Eddy retarders.

To back up this state-of-the-art dynamometer, a high-pressure fan with an external cold air feed with the power of 15kW – an extremely capable fan for this application – ensures air flow is also perfectly replicated as if the car was driving along a road – in-turn making all results gained from Ecotune even more accurate in the process.

Whether it’s a fully bespoke calibration from Ecotune’s Calibrations Engineer – Stan Ward – to complement some hardware upgrades you’ve had installed in Ecotune’s cutting-edge workshop facility, or perhaps an APR Stage 1 tune to unlock a little more from your otherwise-standard car, you can be sure of nothing but extremely satisfying and rewarding results every time.

WATCH IT IN ACTION

We’ll now hand you over to Andrew Morrison, Ecotune’s Calibration Support Technician, to tell you more… enjoy!