why does a dyno tune cost so much?

[mikeSS]

i dont understand why it cost like 450... i feel it should cost like 100-150... all they do is put your car on the dyno then tune your cars PCM or whatever its called.

the shops have done this many times, probably is not hard at all for them...

what am i missing ?

[Ivan @ Southwest Speed]

Liability....

I agree, they could use a reality check and bring it down to like...eh, $399.

There are some thoughts and work that go into it. Cars are like people. They all have different conditions (mods) for the most part and not one fix (tune) is the solution for all.

Just what I know...
Ivan

[mikeSS]

Originally Posted by Bad Karma

Liability....

I agree, they could use a reality check and bring it down to like...eh, $399.

There are some thoughts and work that go into it. Cars are like people. They all have different conditions (mods) for the most part and not one fix (tune) is the solution for all.

Just what I know...
Ivan

maybe its not as simple as i think

[phenixdragon]

Because they can charge you that for it. People will pay. And it's not like you are turning it every week so being you may only do it once, or a few times, they will charge more.

[bkscott]

Well you also have to look at what the start up cost are. I am sure a Dyno is not cheap. Then there is the cost of the software, and the instructional cost. All this has to be factored into the price. I'm sure someone who actually owns one will chime in soon.

[kook]

I own a business as do these guys that are doing the dyno tunes, most people have no idea what it cost to cash flow a business. That being said there is no pun intended here, what I am saying is there are alot of factors that play into the cost of your dyno tune.

[prostock69]

The cheapest new dynos are around 20K and go up to about 80K. Its around 45-50k for one with load control (base model) according to my research. Then you have to factor in electricity, man hours, insurance, maintenance costs, training costs, etc.

[SGOS252382]

Most of the cost is going towards the actual Tune (not the dyno). You're paying for the tuners skill/knowledge tuning your car.

Most shops have a separate charge for the tune and dyno time. The dyno time usually isn't all that expensive. Its the tune that's expensive.

I do agree the price is a little too high. But most shops/tuners charge a much lower rate to get your car retuned for new mods. You might have to pay
$500.00 for a full dyno tune the first time, but the next time it may only be $175.00 or so.

[myold88]

You think the tune is expensive. Wait until you blow an engine, tranny or rear end component with no factory warranty. $$$.

[SK360]

Originally Posted by SGOS252382

Most of the cost is going towards the actual Tune (not the dyno). You're paying for the tuners skill/knowledge tuning your car.

+1.

It is certainly not as easy as you think.

Depending on what software/licenses the tuner has $100 of that may also be going to unlock your car so that he can write to it.

[stikSS]

Check around, I know the shops around me charge 350, but that is a one time charge and they'll tune it for free from then on as mods are added.

That's fairly cheap if you plan on adding things as you go. Handheld programmers will run you the same or more and that is a basic setup, not many changes you can make in the computer yourself.

[ChriSS84]

Originally Posted by kook

I own a business as do these guys that are doing the dyno tunes, most people have no idea what it cost to cash flow a business. That being said there is no pun intended here, what I am saying is there are alot of factors that play into the cost of your dyno tune.

Really??? Would have never guess that!!! lol

[69lt1bird]

If a tuner is actually good and it really tuning your car, he needs to spend time tuning the driveability part as well. Like stated above, $100 off the top is the license for the PCM for the software company. That leaves $350 for the rest. Dyno time will probably eat up $100-$200. Now the tuner is down to $150-200 bucks.

The WOT dyno part is the easiest and fastest.

Try to fix a surge, ping, tip-in hesitation, etc. Not easy. Also, you have people who show up with a car they did the work on, strap it on the dyno, now the fuel pressure is too low, has a miss because they didn't bother changing the plugs or air/fuel filters, etc. Time is money.

The next issue is cold start. The car needs to be tested and tuned for that as well.

Hack tuners can knock them out fast but they also take short cuts that will cause you issues down the road. Then a new thread will start complaining about how you did not make as much power as you thought you would and you are bucking at 1500 rpms.

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by mikeSS

i dont understand why it cost like 450... i feel it should cost like 100-150... all they do is put your car on the dyno then tune your cars PCM or whatever its called.

the shops have done this many times, probably is not hard at all for them...

what am i missing ?

Actually Dyno tunes should cost more like 1000.00 here is why

Chassis Dyno purchase price 50,000.00 average mine was 64,000
Building to house the dyno 230,000.00
Property tax on the building yearly 10,000
Man to run the dyno, 50,000 a year.
Insurance for the dyno 5,000 a year
Insurance for the liability and building content 10,000 a year
Insurance workers comp.2500.00 a year
Insurance heath 6000.00 a year
Wear and tear on the dyno and sensors 2000.00 a year
Electricity to run the dyno ?
Heat for the building ?
Lap top for tuning 2500.00
30+ years of tuning experience Priceless.

How many dyno tunes a year do you have to do to break even, Never mind make any money?

Keep in mind there are only 260 work days in a year if you don't take a vacation or sick time.

Ted.