I saw a couple of threads regarding Mach V's and Bahamabart's PLX installs - just wondering who else has experience with any of the PLX stuff and how they're working out... I'm thinking about adding EGT, AFR and boost modules, with the PLX DM-100 display.

Also wondering best location for installation of the EGT sensor... I have an RMW street header, if that matters...

 

Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

 

I looked at the PLX stuff, and there was always some hangup that turned me off. They always had some new thing to wait for that never developed. Sorry no help there.
I use the the Innovate stuff. Works good but buying a bunch of displays was too much money The PLX can display multiple pieces of data on one gauge, but I'm sure you knew that.
Here is the good news, Innovate has a new module that plugs right into the iPhone and uses it for the display. I'm waiting to get one to test.

So, thought I'd give my two cents since no one else had chimed in. If you go with the PLX, let us know how it works.

 

The Innovate iPhone interface sounds sweet... thanks for the feedback.

I was gonna PM you and see what you were using.

The PLX ability to integrate lots of thing into one or two gauges is still pretty enticing... and their data logger seems pretty cost effective...

 

I'm not sure if I remember right, but I think it was the PLX that I heard did not have the most reliable AFR readings. You might want to ask around a bit more before getting that one.
I've never used their logger.

You get more all around data if you put the EGT near the AFR in the collector. You could do one primary tube, but you'd usually do all 4 at that point. Depends on what you are looking for, overall engine state or a lean cylinder.

 

Cool - thanks again!

 

what do you use for data logging Jeff ? I bought the Innovate! OBD interface and the LC1 lambda sensor, but it is proving to be quite a pain in the neck to get it set up. I wonder if I am better off using the Dash-Daq with the Innovate! LC1.

Francis

 

Only two things sounds easy compared to mine. Innovate can be a pain in the **** to setup, a couple of days for mine, but once working its really good.

I have the LC1, OT1, a SSI4 and two TC4's. I run this into the laptop from the serial port, the USB is sketchy. I've been meaning to pickup the DL-32, but just haven't put it on the front burner. The DashDaq looks good, but at $700 or whatever it is now, it's pricey. Before the iPhone thing came up, I was real close to pulling the trigger on one of those Ese micro PC's. $399 with windows XP seems like the perfect little car datalogger to me. If the iPhone OT-2 works, I may just buy a secondary iPod touch for the car.
Let me know if you need any help getting the system setup.

 

... never thought about that (being a relative newb)... so one thermocouple per primary - plus maybe one overall? Pretty hardcore... but also perhaps a pretty darn good idea given some of the issues we've seen on these engines... do you have this setup, or are you running a single EGT?

Anyone else running one EGT per header primary?

 

Single EGT. I debated was the extra effort for primary EGT's worth it over working on a better intake manifold to distribute everything better? I passed on the primary EGT's. You'll get temp differences between the two locations as well you'll need to quantify. Maybe sometime in the future if the header is out I may install them, but I wouldn't expect much useful tuning-type data from it, mostly engine/component status.
Also, it may be trivial, but you'll also need 4 more bungs, sensors, and extra DAQ for it all. Depends on what you want to spend your budget on.
Lastly, if you are going to install primary EGT's, try to perform some calibration of the sensors installed with the DAQ you will use to eliminate any sensor to sensor differences when comparing data between cylinders.

 

cool, thanks Jeff. When I connect my OT1 the MTS light just flashes and never stops, it never recognizes the vehicle so I can't go in through the laptop to get it set up. The USB port worked at first but now when I try to get in to the LM programmer it tells me to connect the device to serial port. Does you laptop have a serial port or are you using a serial-usb adapter? Unless you know any tricks I will give Innovate a call and see what they have to say.

Francis

 

If I remember correctly, when you plug the OT-1 in it gets power from the OBD, you should then be able to go in and using the LM programmer, connect to the OT-1 and force it to read ISO 9*** whatever the MINI is. If you let it autoselect it will bounce around all over the place and drop connections. The MTS light sometimes flashes and sometimes is solid, either way it can be connected. The only way to know if to fire up logworks 3 and add gauges. One thing that is very important to remember. You need to define each gauge(or input) in LM programmer, then when you add the gauge in logworks, you re-define it again and it has to match otherwise no-go. This goes for any of the modules and sometimes not very intuitive.
Yes the USB comes and goes, use the serial port.

Once you have power to it, use the programmer to set what the device speaks to the car. Sometimes connection to the laptop can be iffy, you sometimes have to cycle power, either through the ignition switch, or unplug the OBD with everything else connected then plug back in, when it initializes it will see the laptop in the chain.

Like I said, setup is a pain but once its configured, it's pretty steady. Once you have 5 or 6 things in the chain it makes you want to run the damn little boxes over. Let me know if this didn't help.

 

I just got the PLX gauge with the AFR and DM-5 for AFR, Ill report what I think after I get it installed...

Also From PLX there is a link there for a iPhone/iTouch OBDII wireless. Picked up one of those as well and will report back

 

Sweet! Thanks!

 

Okay...I got em, however I thought I was tricky when I ordered the DM-200 AFR combo and the DM-5 AFR that I was gettin a huge discount but the DM-200 wasnt OBDII..... Waiting on a new control box, but I have an extra DM-200 control box, non-obd...dunno if Ill get another... As for the AFR, im in the garage now working on an add-a-circut.

 

Okay...AFR module...interesting....I have the DM-5 for it and the wires are figidty at best... However the module itself seems to work great, it is plugd in with the DM-200 I have installd in the passenger center vent (perfect fit if i might add ) The OBD-II is a bit sllllllow...but it gets the point across... theres alot of customizations however most are concerning colors and maps. I was looking for just creating a good few different maps to scroll through...Im sure I can, just gonna be some fine tuning.

As for the AFR module, I had the O2 sensor placed post header.