Wonder how well this would work?

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Feb 9, 2005

nemo

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From: Edmond, Oklahoma

Wonder how well this would work? (Diagnostics)

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/72fc/

Looks interesting, according to them you can send codes to the computer as well as have a diagnostic tool. Anyone have some more information on it? Would be great if it could be used to tune as well as monitor conditions.

Feb 9, 2005

n3elz

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From: Kennett Square, PA

Interesting gadget but ugly as sin!

You can have a diagnostic tool for a lot less if you don't need a "standalone" tool.

They don't say if it's compatible with all "flavors" of the interface: ISO, PWM, and VPW. Ford uses VPW, GM generally uses PWM, and Chrysler and most imports use ISO from what I remember. For a "tech" site, they are a bit shy of real specifications.

Neat idea though.

Feb 9, 2005

NHBubba_Revisited

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From: Somewhere, XYZ

Wonder how it calculates MPG..

Feb 9, 2005

Waffen

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From: TX

A friend of mine has a diag system for his Audi S4. He uses a Dell Inspiron 8200 laptop and it hooks into his diagnostic port under the steering colum. It looks a bit like something out of "The fast and the furioius", but it's super cool. He can moitor boost pressure, RPM, MPH, MPG, 0-60. All the updating on the laptop is real time, so it's super cool to watch him rev or just stand on it and dump the clutch. It also has a power curve feature too. I will ask him the program he uses next time, but I am afraid its specific to Audi S4's.

Feb 10, 2005

V8 Level II

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Quote:

Originally Posted by NHBubba

Wonder how it calculates MPG..

Injector pulsewidth, rpm, vehicle speed.

Feb 10, 2005

NHBubba_Revisited

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From: Somewhere, XYZ

Waffen: Probably not. The OBDII interface is somewhat standardized. There are some features that are present on every vehicle sold in the US, in fact it's a Federal Law that the system work that way. Of course as many standarized, public data IDs there are, there are probably 2-3x as many maker or even model specific ones. At least that's the impression I get when messing around w/ this stuff..

Measuring the injectors uh? Hmm.. Wonder if the algorithm is public knowledge. Where's my google..

Feb 10, 2005

V8 Level II

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From: Michigan

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHBubba

Measuring the injectors uh? Hmm.. Wonder if the algorithm is public knowledge. Where's my google..

I'm reasonably sure that the injector pulsewidth is available through the OBDII port. Once you know that and RPM, you know the flow rate/unit time. That and the vehicle speed will give you instantaneous MPG. Add averaging over time and you could do cumulative trip fuel economy, as well.

Feb 10, 2005

karrbass4life

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From: Cincinnati, Ohio

I've see that in the back of Hot Rod issues, apparently it must work. But i would rather do the laptop or head unit display. Some Pioneer head unit displays all that shyt that box would display. And doesn't take up space.

Feb 10, 2005

ScottG

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From: Lewiston, Maine

Quote:

Originally Posted by n3elz

you sure? according to Digimoto's site, all fords use a PWN just about

Quote:

Ford Aerostar 1997 PWM
Ford Contour 1999 PWM
Ford E150 2000 PWM
Ford E350 2000 PWM
Ford Escort 1998 PWM
Ford Expedition 1998 PWM
Ford Explorer 1998 PWM
Ford Explorer 2000 PWM
Ford F150 1997 PWM
Ford F150 2003 PWM
Ford F150 (truck) 1999 PWM
Ford F150 (van) 1999 PWM
Ford F250 2000 PWM
Ford F250 (Australian) 2002 PWM
Ford Fiesta 1997 PWM
Ford Focus 1999 PWM
Ford Focus 2002 PWM
Ford Focus (UK) 2001 PWM
Ford Focus SVT 2002 PWM
Ford Mustang 1998 PWM
Ford Mustang 2001 PWM
Ford Probe 1997 ISO
Ford Ranger 1995 PWM
Ford Ranger 1996 PWM
Ford Ranger 1997 PWM
Ford Ranger 1998 PWM
Ford Ranger 2002 PWM
Ford Ranger 4x4 Pickup 2000 PWM
Ford Taurus 1996 PWM
Ford Taurus 2001 PWM
Ford Thunderbird LX 1997 PWM
Ford Windstar 1995 PWM
Ford Windstar 1996 PWM
Ford Windstar 1997 PWM
Ford Windstar 1999 PWM

Feb 10, 2005

#10

NHBubba_Revisited

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From: Somewhere, XYZ

It's true. John must be having a moment. Most Fords run PWM, most GM's run VPW, and most imports run ISO. Although there are some exceptions to any of that. My Ranger runs PWM. I know this from experience..