To dyno or not to dyno...that is the question
07-09-2004, 11:11 AM
#1
Instructor
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Location: Houston Texas
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To dyno or not to dyno...that is the question
My new 383 short block is ready to pick up today. I have been kicking around the idea of running on my engine builder's engine dyno before installing it in my '74. Here are some pros and cons, what do you guys think?
Pros
Get to break it in before it goes in the car
Get to tune it for peak HP and torque
Get bragging rights (HP/tq)
My engine hoist isn't available this weekend (buddy out of town) so I may not be able to work on it anyway
I am trying to sell my house so them assembly the long block takes one less thing off my plate of stuff to do
Selling house - need to keep the house, driveway, etc clean
It's fun
Cons
Either have to schlep it home, assemble the long block, and schlep it back
OR don't get to assemble the short block myself ($125 or so cost, I like working on engines)
$400 for all day on the dyno
Another week or so before I get it back and can put it in the car
Whaddya think??
Jeff
the user formerly known as no_radio
Pros
Get to break it in before it goes in the car
Get to tune it for peak HP and torque
Get bragging rights (HP/tq)
My engine hoist isn't available this weekend (buddy out of town) so I may not be able to work on it anyway
I am trying to sell my house so them assembly the long block takes one less thing off my plate of stuff to do
Selling house - need to keep the house, driveway, etc clean
It's fun
Cons
Either have to schlep it home, assemble the long block, and schlep it back
OR don't get to assemble the short block myself ($125 or so cost, I like working on engines)
$400 for all day on the dyno
Another week or so before I get it back and can put it in the car
Whaddya think??
Jeff
the user formerly known as no_radio
07-09-2004, 11:24 AM
#2
Racer
Member Since: Apr 2004
Location: Alpharette GA
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If you don't mind the extra expense I say dyno, it's a great way to performance tune. The big draw back is it's harder to lie about the HP and some owners are down right disappointed about the numbers!!!!!!!!
07-09-2004, 12:18 PM
#3
Race Director
One thing is you will know how much HP you are making, no guessing. It will be tuned and ready to go when you get it. Another pro is if it blows up it's the shop's fault not yours. 
07-09-2004, 01:20 PM
#5
Drifting
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Valencia (near LA) CA
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DO IT!
I was asking myself the same thing when my engine was built. It was an additional $600!!
I am VERY glad I did for several reasons-
1. The carb didn't work right. It was much easier to find out on the dyno than in the car.
2. After sending the carb back to the carb shop it still didn't work right! so I said screw it and bought a new Holly and new Intake. It cost me more money, but gave me an additional 30HP
3. The person who designed your engine estimated how much power it should make. The Dyno will reveal any problems if the numbers are too low.
4. It will be broken in and tuned by it's builder.
5. If there are any leaks the machine shop can easily fix them.
6. It will give you an oportunatiy to compare it to a chasis dyno (prepare for heart break!)
~Jay
I was asking myself the same thing when my engine was built. It was an additional $600!!
I am VERY glad I did for several reasons-
1. The carb didn't work right. It was much easier to find out on the dyno than in the car.
2. After sending the carb back to the carb shop it still didn't work right! so I said screw it and bought a new Holly and new Intake. It cost me more money, but gave me an additional 30HP
3. The person who designed your engine estimated how much power it should make. The Dyno will reveal any problems if the numbers are too low.
4. It will be broken in and tuned by it's builder.
5. If there are any leaks the machine shop can easily fix them.
6. It will give you an oportunatiy to compare it to a chasis dyno (prepare for heart break!)
~Jay
07-10-2004, 10:34 AM
#7
Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by Jeff's Classics
My new 383 short block is ready to pick up today. I have been kicking around the idea of running on my engine builder's engine dyno before installing it in my '74. Here are some pros and cons, what do you guys think?
Pros
Get to break it in before it goes in the car
Get to tune it for peak HP and torque
Get bragging rights (HP/tq)
My engine hoist isn't available this weekend (buddy out of town) so I may not be able to work on it anyway
I am trying to sell my house so them assembly the long block takes one less thing off my plate of stuff to do
Selling house - need to keep the house, driveway, etc clean
It's fun
Cons
Either have to schlep it home, assemble the long block, and schlep it back
OR don't get to assemble the short block myself ($125 or so cost, I like working on engines)
$400 for all day on the dyno
Another week or so before I get it back and can put it in the car
Whaddya think??
Jeff
the user formerly known as no_radio
Pros
Get to break it in before it goes in the car
Get to tune it for peak HP and torque
Get bragging rights (HP/tq)
My engine hoist isn't available this weekend (buddy out of town) so I may not be able to work on it anyway
I am trying to sell my house so them assembly the long block takes one less thing off my plate of stuff to do
Selling house - need to keep the house, driveway, etc clean
It's fun
Cons
Either have to schlep it home, assemble the long block, and schlep it back
OR don't get to assemble the short block myself ($125 or so cost, I like working on engines)
$400 for all day on the dyno
Another week or so before I get it back and can put it in the car
Whaddya think??
Jeff
the user formerly known as no_radio
07-10-2004, 10:50 AM
#8
Burning Brakes
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Location: Vasteras, Sweden
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Originally Posted by Steve Grodin
Put it together yourself and after installed in the car put the car on a chasis dyno and find out what the true rear wheel horsepower and torque is.
