Dyno Tips?

[Jeff Chambers]

Originally Posted by Dark_5.0

These are the only tips I can think of.
1. Dont let the idiot shop helper tinker with your car.
2. Dont let someone else operate your vehicle for the dyno run.
3. Make sure your car is strapped down properly.
4. Dont go to the dyno if your clutch is on its last days cause the stress the dyno puts on your car will fry a weak clutch.
Have fun and post results,

As a shop owner/operator I'll take offense to the first two items. That shop idiot/owner has probably seen more cars that you ever will. Pay attention to what they say and try to learn something....you may be surprised. Secondly any shop's insurance will forbid anyone operating the vehicle on the dyno other than a shop employee. Now if you're great friends with the shop owner, you may eventually earn a status/trust that lets you operate your own car, but until then I wouldn't even ask. If you don't want to let those that have been trained to do it, then don't even go. There's a lot more on the line for the shop owner than there is for the car owner.

To answer the original question, make sure your car is in the best condition it can be in. No bulging hoses, frayed belts or obvious vacuum leaks. No badly leaking engines, transmission or rears. Put in a fresh set of copper plugs, properly gapped. Replace the wires if they're old (it does make a difference on the data the dyno will capture). Replace the O2s if you're having a tuning session done, even if you think they're operating correctly. I'm reminded of an old engineering saying about computer programs...."Junk in = junk out." Put your car in the best possible condition and you'll get the best possible results and the best possible tune from your tuner.

[Dark_5.0]

Originally Posted by Jeff Chambers

As a shop owner/operator I'll take offense to the first two items. That shop idiot/owner has probably seen more cars that you ever will. Pay attention to what they say and try to learn something....you may be surprised. Secondly any shop's insurance will forbid anyone operating the vehicle on the dyno other than a shop employee. Now if you're great friends with the shop owner, you may eventually earn a status/trust that lets you operate your own car, but until then I wouldn't even ask. If you don't want to let those that have been trained to do it, then don't even go. There's a lot more on the line for the shop owner than there is for the car owner.

To answer the original question, make sure your car is in the best condition it can be in. No bulging hoses, frayed belts or obvious vacuum leaks. No badly leaking engines, transmission or rears. Put in a fresh set of copper plugs, properly gapped. Replace the wires if they're old (it does make a difference on the data the dyno will capture). Replace the O2s if you're having a tuning session done, even if you think they're operating correctly. I'm reminded of an old engineering saying about computer programs...."Junk in = junk out." Put your car in the best possible condition and you'll get the best possible results and the best possible tune from your tuner.

I didnt mention a shop owner or operator. Re-read it.

I said the idiot shop helper both the dyno's around here have a minimum wage doofus that dont know shit about cars "helping" out. Trust me I wont learn shit from the guy that holds up the broom and doesnt know how to operate a timing light.

Lots of guys operate there own cars for there dyno pulls. Been there done that. If they wont let him its not that big a deal but it is nice when they do.

You took what I said out of context.

[tmoss]

Originally Posted by Jeff Chambers

As a shop owner/operator .....

Are my memory synapses failing me Jeff? I thought I remembered you as a genuine "rocket scientist". How long have you had a hi-po shop business?

[~The Jester~]

Originally Posted by Jeff Chambers

As a shop owner/operator I'll take offense to the first two items. That shop idiot/owner has probably seen more cars that you ever will. Pay attention to what they say and try to learn something....you may be surprised. Secondly any shop's insurance will forbid anyone operating the vehicle on the dyno other than a shop employee. Now if you're great friends with the shop owner, you may eventually earn a status/trust that lets you operate your own car, but until then I wouldn't even ask. If you don't want to let those that have been trained to do it, then don't even go. There's a lot more on the line for the shop owner than there is for the car owner.

I'm goin with Jeff on this one. Personally I would RATHER have the dyno owner/operator drive my car on the dyno. Call me kooky, but I'd feel more comfortable that way.