What to look for in/on an engine dyno

A local shop says theyll break in my flat tappet 440 for about $300, more if I want to spend time playing with different components.

Ive never seen or been around a real dyno. I have no idea how one should be operated. I dont know if there are 'good' or 'bad' dynos. Is it easy to operate one incorrectly? Besides HP/tq curve and a/f ratio, what other info should a dyno give you? The shop is great, but im kinda nervous, I dont think they've had the dyno long. Is there anything I should watch out for?

Are they actually using a dyno? $300 sounds like what some shops charge just to run the engine on a break-in engine stand?

If the shop has an engine dyno they will know how to operate it, set it up and calibrate it. Just make sure they have headers for your engine, or if your headers will fit on the dyno?

Ask around with some of the local racers and engine builders about that dyno shop before deciding
I like to see indidual EGT probes and read outs on each header pipe and dual O2 sensors, one on each header collector to help tune the motor, that is IF your planning on wanting to tune it on the dyno
Do you know if when they make a dyno pull do they record the data pulling from down low on the RPM to the upper RPM or do they start recording it at WOT and pull the motor down the lowest RPM you want to see data on? It makes a difference
What brand and how old is the dyno and software?
Ask them if your motor will be the first BB Mopar they had on thier dyno If so make sure the prices quoted are firm and not by the hours of total time including mounting, running and dismounting it
A good dyno can really save you some tuning time, a bad one can kill the motor quickly
Bottom line is I never rely on the final tune up on the dyno once the motor is in the car, I finish the tune up in the car based off of of the spark plugs and time slips and or the wide ban in the car
Let us know what you decide and do

300 is crazy cheap!

My thoughts too?

Don't be surprised if for $300 all you will get is a 20 minute run in for the cam and and a quick pull or two to set the rings, maybe a peak HP and TQ. Any other useful data will be extra.

My builder is $500 minimum depending on what it takes to get hooked up. Anything other than basic tuning is extra.

That being said, if it's a new toy, they may be cutting you a break while they use your engine to learn how to use it.

That could be a good thing or not so much...

Kevin

It typically takes an entire day to get an engine bolted up to the dyno, run and then stripped back off so $300 is very cheap. I'd think that a shop would need to charge at least $500 or more or else they'll go broke in the long run. A one man shop isn't getting any work out the door when they are running the dyno so it gets expensive. Perhaps a bigger shop has a junior mechanic who can bolt the engine in place and pull it back off so that cuts down on the cost.

If the shop knows how to run the dyno then they'll get all of information for you but you should talk to them about headers, ignition setup, type of fuel, how the dyno hooks up to the engine, etc. Lots of little details to sort out. If they haven't run a Mopar before then they might need to make some adapters or rig up some stuff.

My main goal is break in. I have solid flat tappet cam, and while anything is doable, Im just nervous to have my first break in be solid cam break in, I have no one to help me. I know I could do it, but would feel more confortable if the shop did it, especially if something goes wrong, because they did the machining and short block assembly for me, so if something bad happens I think they'll work with me to fix it at little or no cost.

I know you guys could walk me through it over the forum, but I'd rather have someone with me.