In order to get some more precise performance data on my S3 X5 4.6is, I bought a G-Tech ProRR accelerometer (
http://www.gtechpro.com/rr.html ), and had a chance to try it out today. It wasn't a track, and it wasn't a dyno, but it was certainly more accurate than my previous (handheld stopwatch) attempt!
I did half a dozen short runs but wasn't on a track, so I backed off before quite getting 1-100 numbers. At any rate, here's what I found, for inquring minds who want to know:
- Fastest 0-60 speed was 5.4 sec, with most runs coming in at 5.5-5.6 sec. Pretty damned fast!
- The fastest run was in "S" Auto mode. I couldn't quite match it shifting manually or starting in manual 1st gear and letting it "force" upshifts when it approached red-line. I don't know if that's because the Dinan software just does a better job of optimizing shifting than I can do myself, or if there's just too much lag between shifts when done manually.
- The S3 pulls like a bull on steroids in 1st and 2nd, but when it shifts into 3rd, the rate of acceleration is noticeably less dramatic, and in 4th the RPMs drop WAY down. It doesn't impact 0-60 times (which are reached in 2nd), but would surely be a factor in 1/4 mi. and 1-100 stats. My guess is that the 5-speed 4.6is tranny just has 3rd & 4th geared quite high. The 4.8is with 6 gears would likely respond better in 3rd & 4th (although I don't think the Dinan S3 is available for 4.8is, so it still wouldn't be as quick as the S3 4.6is).
Lo-res (and very small) video attached, which also gives you an idea what this beast sounds like with the S3 kit. Once I figure out how to post video someplace else, I'll post a higher-res version so you can see the tach better...