How would I go about monitoring my engine outputs?

[cpt kernow]

I'd like a way of wiring something into the car so I can monitor what's going on

eg boost/rpm and mixture/rpm.

I know there's loads of jaycar kits for each aspect but I'd like to get something to plug in to my flaptop so I can monitor stuff and record it on the fly.

Don't necessarily want to adjust or remap anything.

Any ideas?

[Carbon]

What you need is an OBD port cable

Check out /www.openecu.org or the like

Ive got a cable which I dont need anymore, will probably chuck it on trademe or offer it around here first.

[Guest]

openecu.org is a great place, have a good look there, they seem to know alot of stuff

also, i think the cables are availible on ebay, if carbon get rid of his befor you can get it hehehe

-smurff

[Joker]

cant with what he's got (AFAIK)

AVC-r does injector cycle V throttle V boost V rpm V speed V one other I cant think of right now

not sure how that compares to others but is good

[BC5RA]

http://www.ecudatascan.com/

[wrx_lou]

aftermarket computer FTW. FC commander if your on a tight budget.

[wrx_lou]

thats a sweet looking gadget by the way too...

[cpt kernow]

So a cable and my computer could do it, the others look quite trade based?

So I need a cable hint hint

[nzkaosnz]

i could be keen for the cable, or for a blat with it.

[Swindog]

Theres actually a tool out im trying to find again that i cant remember what is called. You plug it in to your OBD plug and gives you rpms and fuel and you can clear and diagnose CELs and stuff. Once i find it ill post it up.

[Guest dynofiend]

Just for info, your 'mixture' readings will be next to useless as the car will be running a narrow band lambda, which is bascily only able to detect three mixture levels: lean/stoich/rich

What you would really need would be a wideband lambda, which are expensive, and probably really only needed for people running after market ECUs.

Also, just being a spoil sport here, but whats the point of being able to monitor all these things, if you cant do anything to change them? I suppose it might help diagnose problems, but then thats what your CEL is for eh

Actually, on second thoughts, it might mean you can monitor your manifold pressure, so that if it gets too high, your floorpan doesnt unrivet itself and fill the cabin with sparks!

[Guest keltik]

Ive always wanted to find a way to make DANGER TO TEH MANIFOLD!!! flash on my dash lcd screen thing. If i can make it do that anytime i get into the red zone on the tacho - i would officially be the happiest man alive.

[Joker]

have I missed something or is an APEXI AVC-r (or similar product) what he is looking for?

KISS principle - monitors many aspects and can display peak's and record limited outputs etc...

[Guest keltik]

Recommending because you just happen to be selling yours?

[Durty-Sanchez]

I use a wideband from Zeitronix, which comes equipped to handle other sensors such as boost. All the sensors are sent through their hardware and come out the other side as a much nicer serial interface for your PC/Laptop. Wideband cost me NZ$360, but the dollar was a bit better then. http://www.zeitronix.com. Works a charm for monitoring all the stuff you want, and their dash-units would be good if you wanted a more permanent monitoring option

[Joker]

 keltik said:

Recommending because you just happen to be selling yours?

hah no!

but for all the fancy gizmo's listed so far, realistically are any needed?

other than a good set of 'normal' gauges?

[Swindog]

 JoKer']

[quote name='keltik said:

Recommending because you just happen to be selling yours?

/quote]

hah no!

but for all the fancy gizmo's listed so far, realistically are any needed?

other than a good set of 'normal' gauges?

Isnt a AVCr a normal gauge nowadays?

[nzkaosnz]

im wanting something to match the SSM in terms of reading data, mainly for trouble shooting.

I.e, have a random cutout- happens after about 1/2-1hr of driving, and even then, its completely random.

And trying to diagnose blind can be a cnut.

[Swindog]

Nothing b etter than a scantool or laptop with obd cable.

I have just borrowed a serial link and going to be doing some "testing" and data logging and sending it away.

Scantools are cheap enough.

[Durty-Sanchez]

The guy wants mixture vs rpm though, which isn't available from anything but a wideband unit. If he wants boost vs rpm too he might as well get a wideband unit that does other logging, rather than just a wideband + avcr or scantool, which together would probably cost twice as much.

If he were after more sensor logging then it'd probably be worth while getting the scantool + the wideband.

[Swindog]

Whats a wideband o2 sensor worth?

[wrx_lou]

http://www.nzperformance.co.nz/store/innovate-motorsports-wideband-o2/lm-2-wideband-air-fuel-ratio-meter-single-channel-/prod_120.html

something like that?

[Swindog]

Thatsactually not a bad deal.

You could put another nut in the down pipe and have it there permanently.

http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/products/lm2.php

more on it

[Swindog]

http://www.zeitronix.com/press/afrshootout1.htm

[Swindog]

http://www.techedge.com.au/vehicle/wbo2/default.htm