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Old Apr 27, 2020 | 01:17 AM
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Default Dyno or Test stand

I know, there is a power out difference. Vs. testing an engine on a dyno machine and throttling the choke on the test stand. What are the pros and cons to not performing an engine dyno?

489 big block. The computer numbers say around 550 horsepower.

C3 Corvette I brought off Facebook marketplace. My plan is to put some giddy up in this C3.
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Old Apr 27, 2020 | 05:11 AM
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Moved to C3 Tech.
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Old Apr 27, 2020 | 07:04 AM
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Nice looking engine. I would say it would depend on the situation, in my case you could not engine dyno mine because the rest of the car is needed [map sensor, MSD6AL-2] which are wired into the car. But your engine looks self contained and running it on a engine dyno would be a good way to tune it. When all done and said you know what you have and it's ready to plug and play. T
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Old Apr 27, 2020 | 08:14 AM
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No cons to engine dyno except price.
It loads the engine and can point which way to fine tune.
If your dyno tech is savvy......he will make at least four pulls......one "sweep" to load the rings, two tuning pulls and a wrap up pull......we used to do as many as seven pulls if needed.....I once did 10 pulls on a 383 to test the HV oil pump drag vs. STD and an Air Gap over Super Victor......

When you get it back....you KNOW it is ok......no first fire or break in BS.
But.....I haven't dyno'd an engine in 12 years because I am in a motorhead challenged part of the country........so I rely on past experience and my own confidence to know what it is I built and what it should do......this may be a consideration......I know NOBODY in a 50 mile radius of me that has an engine dyno.

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Old Apr 27, 2020 | 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Jebbysan
No cons to engine dyno except price.
It loads the engine and can point which way to fine tune.
If your dyno tech is savvy......he will make at least four pulls......one "sweep" to load the rings, two tuning pulls and a wrap up pull......we used to do as many as seven pulls if needed.....I once did 10 pulls on a 383 to test the HV oil pump drag vs. STD and an Air Gap over Super Victor......

When you get it back....you KNOW it is ok......no first fire or break in BS.
But.....I haven't dyno'd an engine in 12 years because I am in a motorhead challenged part of the country........so I rely on past experience and my own confidence to know what it is I built and what it should do......this may be a consideration......I know NOBODY in a 50 mile radius of me that has an engine dyno.

Jebby
hey man thanks for the reply. I think you make a lot of great points. Especially about the no break in bs. How much should each pull cost? Or how much does a dyno generally cost?
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Old Apr 27, 2020 | 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by terrys6t8roadster
Nice looking engine. I would say it would depend on the situation, in my case you could not engine dyno mine because the rest of the car is needed [map sensor, MSD6AL-2] which are wired into the car. But your engine looks self contained and running it on a engine dyno would be a good way to tune it. When all done and said you know what you have and it's ready to plug and play. T
yes a dyno will take all the guess work out. Thanks for you input.
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Old Apr 27, 2020 | 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Jebbysan
...I know NOBODY in a 50 mile radius of me that has an engine dyno.
Jebby

Really? New Braunfels is only 40 miles from the heart of San Antonio. San Antonio don't dyno? I know there is a dyno in Boerne TX at Smeding Performance but not sure they would dyno an engine other than the ones they build.

DC
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Old Apr 27, 2020 | 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted by DC3
Really? New Braunfels is only 40 miles from the heart of San Antonio. San Antonio don't dyno? I know there is a dyno in Boerne TX at Smeding Performance but not sure they would dyno an engine other than the ones they build.

DC
Nope....if they don’t build it....no dyno.
There are simply no high end engine shops down here.....and the ones I have talked to are a bit too proud of themselves.
I am not loading an engine to drive half a day for a dyno....I am not racing anymore.....
But I can tell you I miss Detroit something horrible sometimes....
San Antonio is not a motorhead type of town.....and I don’t go there much.

Jebby

Last edited by Jebbysan; Apr 27, 2020 at 08:45 PM.
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Old Apr 27, 2020 | 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Fermon Tate
I know, there is a power out difference. Vs. testing an engine on a dyno machine and throttling the choke on the test stand. What are the pros and cons to not performing an engine dyno?

489 big block. The computer numbers say around 550 horsepower.

C3 Corvette I brought off Facebook marketplace. My plan is to put some giddy up in this C3.
huum you have a good series 1 pickup like mine.

Last edited by Little Mouse; Apr 27, 2020 at 08:38 PM.
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Old Apr 27, 2020 | 08:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Fermon Tate
hey man thanks for the reply. I think you make a lot of great points. Especially about the no break in bs. How much should each pull cost? Or how much does a dyno generally cost?
The industry standard is usually a “half-day” or “full day” priced accordingly.
Have no idea what people get now to engine dyno. If I had to guess....I would say about $750

Jebby
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Old Apr 27, 2020 | 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Fermon Tate
I know, there is a power out difference. Vs. testing an engine on a dyno machine and throttling the choke on the test stand. What are the pros and cons to not performing an engine dyno?

489 big block. The computer numbers say around 550 horsepower.

C3 Corvette I brought off Facebook marketplace. My plan is to put some giddy up in this C3.
Great example for following: someone here may know where to send you ... if they only knew about where to start ...

Why not go back into your profile and under "location" please enter an approximation? ... we don't need or want an address.
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Old Apr 27, 2020 | 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Fermon Tate
hey man thanks for the reply. I think you make a lot of great points. Especially about the no break in bs. How much should each pull cost? Or how much does a dyno generally cost?
$650 is my cost... My 454 is at the builder's place right now. In the discussions and itemized costs, he insisted on doing a break in and test run (flat-tappet hydraulic cam) for $400 and it was my choice whether or not to dyno it for $250 more. Is my curiosity worth another $250? Yeah, think it is! This guy builds racing, restoration, and street-mod engines.
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Old Apr 28, 2020 | 05:57 PM
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The good thing about a dyno tune is cam break in along with timing setup.
Also I've had few dyno "tuned" engines and they typically fire it up, do a few light duty pulls and the drop the oil and filter to check for metal.
It's kind of fun to see the difference of the engine dyno numbers and the chassis dyno numbers. Most are surprised at the difference.
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Old Apr 28, 2020 | 08:09 PM
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Originally Posted by 67:72
$650 is my cost... My 454 is at the builder's place right now. In the discussions and itemized costs, he insisted on doing a break in and test run (flat-tappet hydraulic cam) for $400 and it was my choice whether or not to dyno it for $250 more. Is my curiosity worth another $250? Yeah, think it is! This guy builds racing, restoration, and street-mod engines.
I suppose I'm missing the point ... But if he's breaking it in on an engine dyno for $400 ...why charge you $250 to share the data? All in addition to his build invoice.
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Old Apr 28, 2020 | 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by jackson
I suppose I'm missing the point ... But if he's breaking it in on an engine dyno for $400 ...why charge you $250 to share the data? All in addition to his build invoice.
Letting it free run and loading it up against the brake are two different things. Dyno's see a lot of wear and tear as well as having to be re-calibrated every so often.......so using the brake is worth $250 IMHO. No power numbers if not on the brake.

Jebby
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Old Apr 28, 2020 | 08:20 PM
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IMO, to begin with, it's not a proper break in unless it is loaded (against brake). Otherwise it really isn't on a dyno ... it's become a simple test stand.
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Old Apr 28, 2020 | 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Jebbysan
Nope....if they don’t build it....no dyno.
There are simply no high end engine shops down here.....and the ones I have talked to are a bit too proud of themselves.
I am not loading an engine to drive half a day for a dyno....I am not racing anymore.....
But I can tell you I miss Detroit something horrible sometimes....
San Antonio is not a motorhead type of town.....and I don’t go there much.

Jebby

That's too bad. I know Austin has a pretty good car culture and just figured San Antonio did as well. I have a buddy who owns his own Hot Rod Shop in Austin, but traffic there can be a nightmare on a good day. I'd rather drive in San Antonio. I had actually planned to be in Austin this month for the Lonestar Roundup car show but the virus forced it to be moved to September. Still plan to go.

DC
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Old Apr 28, 2020 | 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by jackson
IMO, to begin with, it's not a proper break in unless it is loaded (against brake). Otherwise it really isn't on a dyno ... it's become a simple test stand.
I agree......I do not know what the method the that shops madness is......if you are there, and it is bolted on, just do it.

Jebby
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Old Apr 28, 2020 | 08:30 PM
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Yup. Have done more than a few. All loaded ... with the rare exception a pull was stopped early when an leak, rattle etc came up before we got to loading it.
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Old Apr 28, 2020 | 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by DC3
That's too bad. I know Austin has a pretty good car culture and just figured San Antonio did as well. I have a buddy who owns his own Hot Rod Shop in Austin, but traffic there can be a nightmare on a good day. I'd rather drive in San Antonio. I had actually planned to be in Austin this month for the Lonestar Roundup car show but the virus forced it to be moved to September. Still plan to go.

DC
I was going to look and see what is that way.......has to be some kind of top shelf machine shop/ engine builder that way.
My biggest problem here and in San Antonio is that I do not need to know how much you think you know.......just do it the way I want, but that either falls on deaf ears or plain just doesn't get done at all.......11 years here and half of the stuff I have machined has to go back. I have kicked two machinists to the curb already. I have a good guy in Universal City but he is more of an OEM guy and doesn't have a Serdi. Need a race engine shop......TRE is out about 3 hours away. Who is your buddy and who does he use? I don't mind Austin......you just have to leave and get there at the right time.

Jebby

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