Well this was a very interesting test and we found some interesting things out.
Things to note:
1.All test done on my 2017 Camaro zl1 m6.
2.Tested Soler Performance ported TB, current version and new higher flow halfshaft version.
3.Cool down time was allowed between runs to keep from heart soak.
4.Ambient temps were in the mid 60's the entire morning.
5.IAT was 68 degrees when we started and 4 hours and about 14 pulls later the last pull was about 79 degrees.
6.Data logged runs using HPtuners logging software, Dyno owner did logging.
7.I performed the "learning procedure" between TB test. "Idle for 30 seconds, turn car off for 1 min. Repeat. Then drive car for 3 min over 40 mph allowing car to softly accel and decel. Then let idle 30 sec".
8.Soler does extensive flow testing on their TB's
9.All runs were between 579 hp and 588hp peak, ALL OF THEM. And the Soler TB's picked up more flow according to the MAF than the stock unit, so they flow more air.
10.All runs i had my Rotofab dry filter CAI installed.
We made two pulls with the factory TB, allowed cool down. Then switched to the Soler current version, did relearn and made two pulls. We found that the numbers were quite similar. Surprised i made a third pull to confirm and it was about the same. So we allowed cool down and went to the Soler New high flow halfshaft version, did the relearn and made two pulls. It appeared we gained almost 10 hp in the low to mid RPM range. 2500 - 4000. But while just driving on the rollers in 3rd gear testing drivability we got a check engine light with the halfshaft version. Note we did not receive this at WOT during pulls just at part throttle around 2500/3000 - 4000/4500 rpm. There is too much of and increase in flow at part throttle at those RPM's for the computer to adjust for.
So we went back to the current version of Soler to confirm. Allowed cool down, performed relearn, made two pulls. The runs almost matched the halfshaft version. Intrigued we put the stock unit back on, allowed cool down, performed relearn and made a pull. It was very close to the two Soler unit pulls. So we went to the data logs. We made several more runs on each TB, allowing cool down and looking at the logs. Some pulls i even doubled up the learn procedure and it actually brought the dyno runs closer together.
We saw:
Stock TB - We saw max flow 80 lbs a min on MAF
Soler current version - Max flow of 85 lbs a min
Soler high flow halfshaft - Max flow of 86 lbs a min - This one has more of a difference at part throttle.
Well with more flow we should have more power, but we did not.
What we saw was the stock tune was closing the throttle blade for some reason. We don't know what in the tune is doing this. Maybe its looking for a particular torque value or MAF value at certain RPM's I do not know why, but that is what it is doing. It starts at 100%, closes it back starting around 2500/3000 RPM then in the last 800 to 1000 RPM it opens it back to 100% like its rushing to redline.
So we looked at 4400 rpm where the MAF lbs a min were the same between stock and Soler current version.
At 4400 RPM Stock at 55.54 lbs a min the ECM had throttle blade closed to 72.5%
At 4400 RPM Soler at 55.54 lbs a min the ECM had throttle blade closed to 65.1%
So it had to close the blade 7.4% more at that RPM to get the same amount of flow through the MAF, confirming the Soler TB flows more air.
So this tells me it would not matter what TB you buy a slap on the car you wouldn't gain any HP out of it because the ECU is seeing the increase in flow and saying F YOU! and closing the throttle blade to wrangle it back in. I assume if you do not perform the learning procedure and just slap it on a do a run you may see gains at first but after it learns the new TB it will dumb the power back down to close to stok levels. Important to note that Soler never claimed that you gained power with their TB.
In closing to see any real gains out of TB/intake mods on this car you would need to get a tune to get rid of the ECM closing the throttle blade. In my opinion the ported TB is still worth it. The Soler unit gets rid of the dead spot right off idle and much improves part throttle drivability. The throttle feels much soother and linear because of the way they do their porting. We were able to prove the Soler TB does increase flow over the stock unit even at WOT.
This was a Test on my car and actually surprised me, I felt the Soler unit would gain me at least 20 to 30 hp based off of the flow test Soler has done. But I found out that even though the Soler TB flows more air the Stock ECM limits the power. This is what I observed my car doing on the dyno. I spend half a day, and 4 Hours on the dyno and performed about 8 to 10 TB changes.
I tried to run the New high flow half shaft version on the 37 mile ride to the house. I did perform the learn procedure on the dyno before I left. I got a check engine light and went to reduced power mode every time I held a gear and hung around 3k RPM at part throttle. That's roughly about the area the new halfshat version flows the most air over stock TB in flow bench testing. I drove it all the way home most of the way over 60 mph and after all that learn time I still got the code when I did part throttle acceleration and got to 3k RPM. So Soler has said they will offer this new halfshft version as an option if you are tuned and do not want to spend the money on a 103 or 95 lt5 TB.
Its alot of info and a lot to read but it was an interesting day to say the least, I was able to learn a lot.
