How do Dynos Actually Work????

I did a search and nothing came up, but I was wondering what does a Chassis Dyno actually measure and how does it work???

I have always been curious about this.

I'd post any questions you have to either of these threads. They cover the basics real well.

http://64.65.63.61/forums/showthread.php?t=64827&highlight=dyno
http://64.65.63.61/forums/showthread.php?t=236297&highlight=dyno

-Mindgame

FWIW and strapping my car to a dyno, the convertor alters the information and gives false readings...or inaccurate readings since the fluid coupling is not anywhere near effiecent as a manual transmission...looser convertors will change numbers and give strange readings..and I got the results to prove it.

ALSO when using the air sensor to make sure your tuned right, running race fuel will also screw with the readings and make them appear leaner than what they are.

FWIW anyways, but if your driving a stick and regular gas I think alot could be learned:) otherwise your getting "doctored" numbers from convertor slippage.

Yes, they work. What they are actually measuring is a different question entirely.

they measure how fast you are spinning up a drum of known inertial mass thus they know how much energy you are transferring to the drum per unit time thus they know the power you are putting down at the wheels. The power you have at the engine you would have to find using an engine dyno so you are not also losing power into the rest of the drivetrain as you are on the chassis dyno.