Dyno Vs.Drag Strip Testing

Oh boy, here we go again ……… LOL

My current engine was broke in and tuned on a dyno. It was the best money spent on the build, I’ve said that many times. A dyno is a comparative tool and a very good one.

There was an issue in my valve train that I wouldn’t have found in the car until much damage was done. Plus the tuning saved a bunch of beating on it at the drag strip. Once in the car a little jet adjustment and it was good.

I’m a firm believer that the time slip is where the rubber meets the road. Most guys that I know that spend the time and money to dyno a engine don’t put it in a junk car. It may take some tuning on the entire combo to make it work but that’s part of it.

How many times have we seen guys show off big numbers only to get their feelings hurt? Unfortunately there are engine builders and dyno shops who make money off inflated numbers.

My engine hasn’t ran the numbers the dyno said it should, it’s pretty close (depending what calculator you use) and I’m good with it. Because we used their ignition and dyno headers, with nothing driven off the crank. Plus, the day we ran it the air was great.

The shop owner is a engine builder and drag racer. After all the pulls were done he and I were talking about my car and I told him I was expecting 6.30’s out of it. I asked his opinion, he agreed if the car was right it should run what I was looking for. After much work two weeks ago it ran 6.33. Hell, it may go .20’s this fall. Great if it does but no big deal if it doesn’t as it’s met the goal I set when I started gathering parts.

All this and $1.75 will buy you a cup of coffee in some places.