Dyno before install?

[tazimm]

Hello,

i am am looking for some advice. I am putting a new gm crate LSX 454 into a 71 camaro. It's been mocked up a couple times and we are ready for the final install. The body is apart and being painted, I will drop the motor before final painted assembly (fenders, hood, front end). The body shop suggested having the motor broken in on an engine Dyno before installation to see if there are any problems (it would suck to have to pull the motor after paint!). I checked with the local engine shop and they have an LS expert who could do it for $600 to $900 depending on how much time it took.



Does this really seem necessary? Seems like these engines should be fairly solid from the factory? Also seems like these engines are fairly dependent on their environment, specifically intake and exhaust, and I will have to have it dynoed again once it is in the car.

Thoughts would be appreciated!
Thanks!

[1989GTA]

I know a number of people who do that. I have been known to do that myself. Toying with the idea right now with a LS3 base 427 motor before I install it in the car.

[Carbo]

Ironically enough I'm debating the same thing right now. I too have an LSX 454, however, mine is more of a custom job. It has LS3 ported heads, aftermarket valve train and a high rise sheetmetal intake. Right now I'm about 90% sure I'm gonna have mine dynoed first before dropping it in the car. Then once the transformation is complete I'll have a final tune done, unless the tuner thinks the engine dyno will be enough. I look at it as a two prong effect. The engine dyno ensures nothing is wrong with the engine as it would suck to have to pull it back out of the car if something were wrong. The chasis dyno is more for the final tune since everything is hooked up. Not sure if it's right or wrong but that's what I believe. Unfortunately it is expensive. I was quoted roughly the same price you were just for the engine dyno and I know a chasis dyno I can get for around 300-400. So I'm potentially looking at 1200-1300 in tuning alone. Nobody said this hobby was cheap.

[Schwartz Performance]

If you have the time (to wait) and the money, I recommend it. It'll break the engine in, and you can check for leaks. Crate engines generally are built to a fairly high standard and we have never had an issue with any, but anything could happen!

-Dale