Anyone got any heads up on black box data acquition systems for engine (oil, water, rpms etx), drivetrain (trans, driveshaft and wheel speeds), and some chassis points (like shock data, susp travel etc).

I know big lumping into one possible system, but I was asked if and how and my only response was why?

When it was answered for the salt and wheel spin and how to go faster. I'm all over top speed potential .

Thanks in advance for any tempting high $ or low $ systems.

One option would be hptuners. Their latest version does black box logging in the interface cable. They support 4 generic inputs (I think it's 4) besides the stuff it's getting on the aldl port. You can "map" the external inputs, define them in a configuration file, and save that as the config to use when black box logging. (I haven't done it yet with mine, but that's what it says...) $650.

What's your budget? If you are thining of adding shock data, it's probably best to buy a complete package, probably well over $3k. Motec & Competition Data Systems seem to be the popular pro-level companies. For a lower budget, the Race Technologies DL1 and the AIM systems are pretty common ($900-$2500). The shock potentiometers alone are a few hundred each...

Andris is spot on. I use a DL1 and love it. I currently take realtime tire temps and that has helped dial in pressures and alignment angles. Unfortunately the $en$or$ and a little on the expen$ive $ide $o I just use three of them and dial in a front and then a rear tire (and set the other side the same).

Caution: Even with the smaller units (DL1, etc) you get a metric sh!t-ton of data. Be prepared for many, many HOURS of getting the hang of the software and finding the actual nugget that you are looking for. I am pretty quick with mine now, but even a few days after the race weekend I'll be going thru more of the data and finding more useful information. With the more expensive stuff, you'll get even MORE data, so be ready with either a DAG (data acquisition geek) or to commit time to it.

I started with the basic DL1 and gps data only. No rpm, no tire temps, no nada. It gave me lat/long G and speed and the extrapolated numbers (time spent accel, time spent decel, degrees per sec turn rate, highest speed, speed at certain points on track, etc etc etc). The 'sector' feature alone really sucks up my time as I examine the track in 6 different sectors and if I did them all perfect then I'd be a half second faster. No car changes, just the loose nut behind the wheel! Literally bucketloads of data.

Before spending money, spend lots of time on the DA forums and reading. Talk to folks at the track who use them and get their impressions.

One thing the DL1 does is coast-down measurements (most prolly do). By taking this information from a highspeed and lowspeed coastdown and inputting some basic info, you can actually get a pretty good indication of what the Cdx is and the rolling resistance, etc.

See this: http://www.race-technology.com/WebPage2/Ot...tDownCalcs.html

Good luck,

Costas
cars and such...

Thanks everyone. I am just researching for a non fbody LSR car.

Funny thing when I called one stock car company they immediatly stated we could even do a traction control unit tied in in an MSD box since traction is problem on the salt like it is on dirt.