I've never been to a dyno and I'm pretty new to tuning, so when you say depends how long I am on the dyno tuning...a few hours? If this is the case, would the dyno place offer any deals besides like $75 for 2 runs? Otherwise it would cost a fortune!

 

A couple of thoughts on the cost of tuning...

The cheapest way to use a dyno is to get the shop that owns the dyno involved in the tuning- i.e. buy some parts from them, or buddy up with one of the employees. Another way is to find out if some local car clubs have a "Dyno Day" where the club rents the dyno for several hours for a discount price. The problem with this, however, is that if the other club members want to dyno 20 cars in 3 hours, you're not going to get much quality tuning time.

Another idea is to find out if your friendly, local dragstrip has a "Test and Tune" or a "Run what ya Brung" night where you can show up, pay a small price (typically $10-$20) and get unlimited runs. Trap speed is a great way to measure horsepower, but you'll probably have to wait in line (depending on how popular the strip is) and work on your car in the dark. Last idea is to get a friend with a stopwatch or a GTech Pro Competition and do your testing on some deserted road somewhere; timing third-gear roll-ons is a great way to test power. (BTW I'm talking about the new Gtech Competition, not the old Gtech which was an inaccurate POS.)

 

I've been to my local bookstore a few times, and have always left with nothing. Can any of you recommend books that go into great detail on how different parts of cars work? I haven't searched online yet for any books or info, but I have read a number of HowStuffWorks articles

 

Jesse, this is possibly the best and most educated response I have ever read on engine tuning...

And I dislike the testing with a stopwatch too, but Chris has a good point on the G-tech Pro. SCC is doing a test of this in the near future and claim if you have the means to properly weigh the vehicle with you and whatever in it, you have a pretty tuning device. By far not the best, but an alright alternative to finding a good packaged dyno service..

As far as doing research, the internet has the most info you could find. There are good books but you will have to pay for them as well as search through them for the work you are doing. Check other import tuning forums tech articles (as well as this forums) and you will have a good idea for what you are getting into... The books will be better for actually doing the work...