So how much does a dyno test cost?

[hiptech]

I've never had a reason to have any of my cars tested on a dynamometer but just wondered about the cost of it and if it's worth doing just for fun...

My suspicion is the shops want to sell parts so they offer the service cheaply or free if you spend $$$$?

[Jarrett]

My experience with cars is that the fee is always the same.if you're only there for dyno results. It's around $40-80, depending on the number of pulls they'll offer.

I have always had techs that are pretty underwhelmed and make it evident they wish they were doing something else if you bring them something slow by their standards, and more enthusiastic if you had something that was performance-oriented.

Call ahead and get a time slot. But then don't expect them to be over the moon to dyno a stock 25 year-old Accord.

[hiptech]

My experience with cars is that the fee is always the same.if you're only there for dyno results. It's around $40-80, depending on the number of pulls they'll offer.

I have always had techs that are pretty underwhelmed and make it evident they wish they were doing something else if you bring them something slow by their standards, and more enthusiastic if you had something that was performance-oriented.

Call ahead and get a time slot. But then don't expect them to be over the moon to dyno a stock 25 year-old Accord.

If I did bring it, it wouldn't be to impress anyone. I'm more curious to know how much degradation has occured over the years.

Thanks...

[AccordWarrior]

A lot of shops will host dyno days and that's when you'll typically see the better deals, offering multiple pulls for lower rates, but as Jarrett said, the $40-80 range is probably reasonable.

Don't forget that not all dynos read the same. Some can read significantly higher than others depending on design and the parameters entered by the operator, so take whatever number you get with a grain of salt.

When I dynoed my STi, my number was lower than most other online values I've read given the car, parts and tune I had done. However, relative to the specific dyno I was on, it was almost dead on with similar cars.

[deevergote]

Indeed, some dynos will read differently than others. DynoJet units are known to be optimistic, wheras Mustang units are known to be conservative. Depending on the dyno, you may or may not get a completely accurate reading.
Special pricing for dyno pulls, such as at large track events via a mobile unit, or on a promotional day at a local performance shop, are likely to be optimistic. Few people are going to brag about a dyno number that's lower than they expected. However, they'll be talking to everyone when they "discover" that their car makes way more power than they thought. It's just better advertising.

This may not be true 100% of the time, but I've heard enough to know that it happens, and it seems to happen frequently enough to be worth mentioning.
For the most part, a dyno is better used as a tuning tool; something to mark the increase and decrease in power as you make adjustments. Getting an "official" horsepower number is cool, but it may or may not be absolutely accurate.

[Crankshaft]

The often overlooked benefit is that it allows for the driver to know optimal shift point for each gear as it shows the powerband and one can use such graph to calculate when to shift according to each ratio to maximize the usage of power available.

[deevergote]

The often overlooked benefit is that it allows for the driver to know optimal shift point for each gear as it shows the powerband and one can use such graph to calculate when to shift according to each ratio to maximize the usage of power available.

That is very true, and regardless of the dyno calibration, that data would be useful for that purpose. Good point!

[Crankshaft]

Here is a read for anyone interested in reading the relation of power to hear and how it is used to calculate the optimal shifting point for each gear and for which the graph would be useful. http://www.welltall.com/ymc/discovery/car/shiftpt.html

[hiptech]

This is fascinating stuff I would have guessed dynos were calibrated based on some SAE type standard or such.

But in reality its more like women's dress sizes where the numbers are fudged to make you feel better depending on who is testing... too funny.

[Accrdwgnguy]

Sortof. I hear Mustang Dynos are that way. But Dynojet is quite accurate.

I second the dyno day option. Usually shops will hold a dyno day and all they will be doing all day is running cars to see numbers, no tuning. So usually for $25-50 they will strap down the car and do a few pulls. I'm betting that on a normal Tuesday they wouldn't just strap down a stock Honda just to see the numbers because that'll be taking up time they could be using to tune a car. A good dyno shop will be busy.

[hiptech]

Sortof. I hear Mustang Dynos are that way. But Dynojet is quite accurate.

I second the dyno day option. Usually shops will hold a dyno day and all they will be doing all day is running cars to see numbers, no tuning. So usually for $25-50 they will strap down the car and do a few pulls. I'm betting that on a normal Tuesday they wouldn't just strap down a stock Honda just to see the numbers because that'll be taking up time they could be using to tune a car. A good dyno shop will be busy.

I think now that you guys explained the process it would be more of a pipe dream having it done. Obviously these shops are there to sell product so just having someone come in with no intention of spending any money beyond the pull (just for laughs) is not going to happen...

[deevergote]

Can't hurt to call around, though. If a local shop happens to have a slot open, they'd surely rather take your $25-$75 (or whatever) for a few quick and easy pulls than to have no money coming in at all.
Plus, one key to business success is getting customers in the door. If you go there for a dyno pull, then you're more likely to go back there when you need a proper tune. They'd be stupid to turn you away if they had the time to fit you in!

[Losiracer2]

I paid $40 on a dyno day to get three pulls done, best was 191whp and 155wtq when the ambient temperature was 110 degrees . They also provided hot dogs and soda as part of a grand opening of the place. So, getting a lunch out of it was pretty good. I think the place was called Soulless Performance. It was back in June 2014 near Country Club and Broadway in Mesa, AZ. They might've moved since then though. But the guy loved my Honda after he realized it still pulled past 6k RPM with my H22.