Dyno Day Results Reveal Man's 'Stage 3 Build' Makes Less Power Than Stock

A modified turbocharged sedan pulled from the dyno at a local tuning shop on Saturday having produced 14 fewer horsepower than a stock example of the same vehicle, a result that its owner attributes to "dyno variance" and that the tuner attributes to "doing everything wrong." Chase Boost, 28, has invested approximately $12,000 in modifications to his 2018 Volkswagen GTI, including an aftermarket intake, intercooler, downpipe, blow-off valve, boost controller, and a "Stage 3" tune purchased from an online vendor whose website features a wolf howling at the moon. The stock GTI produces approximately 228 horsepower at the wheels. Boost's modified GTI produced 214 horsepower, a figure that was confirmed on two consecutive pulls while Boost stood behind the dyno operator with his arms crossed. "The dyno is reading low," Boost said immediately. "This dyno reads low. Everyone knows this dyno reads low." The tuner, who has operated the dyno for nine years, disputed this characterization. "The dyno reads accurately. His intake is unfiltered and pulling in hot engine bay air. His intercooler piping has two ninety-degree bends that strangle airflow. His tune is adding boost that the fuel system can't support, so it's pulling timing. He's fighting himself." A stock GTI was dyno'd immediately afterward on the same equipment and produced 226 horsepower, within the expected range. Boost has announced plans to address the deficiency with additional modifications, including larger injectors, a ported throttle body, and a methanol injection system. The tuner has suggested he instead remove everything and return to stock. "That's not how this works," Boost replied. "You don't go backward. You go forward until the numbers make sense. The numbers will make sense eventually." The tuner has privately noted that the only certainty is that the numbers will require more money.