i've seen a lot of information/tech articles on programming and tuning, but can't find anything really clear on datalogging.

i'm new at this, so obviously, that's where i need to start.

the first question is, what do i use? winaldl, tech1, diacom? i need something dead-simple (sort of datalogging for dummies) and accurate.

what about the innovate lm1? obviously, wideband would be great for fuel, but does that monitor spark as well? can you do all your datalogging with it?

 

help?

 

Spend more time reading here, use the search button.

 

dude,

i've read till my eyes bugged out. i've been on this board for almost a year, i'm no newby.

to someone without a lot of computer skills, most of what's on here is over my head. i've read traxion's tech article on chip burning, and i think i understand, but i can't find anything that dead-simple for datalogging. the posts on datalogging seem conflicting, as the writers generally think the system they're using is best.

i'm just trying to get started, and to find a good balance between cost, accuracy and simplicity. i don't mind spending some money for a setup that best meets those needs, but don't want to blow money unnecessarily, either.

 

So start cheap and go from there. Doesn't get much cheaper than moates software (free) and a homemade cable (few bucks). Even if you buy a premade cable for Moates from say AKM it's still cheap.

Other than that, you're just fishing for opinions. Of course everybody likes what they are using best. There is no RIGHT answer for what scan tool to use. They are all accurate, they're just taking digital data from the computer, it's just about how you like to see it. Go to the sites, compare prices, features and screenshots. Just like some people like emacs for a text editor, others are die hard vi guys. Neither is RIGHT, it's just what you like.

All i can tell you for sure, is unless it's been updated recently, diacom i a dinosaur compard to moates, datamaster, et al.

And a WB is not going to tell you anything about spark really, nor is it a complete solution to datalogging. Well, i guess you could get by since it has inputs for a few different things if you really knew what you were doing, but you'd be doing strictly open loop tuning, and still wouldn't know things like injector pulsewidths, or whether in PE, etc.

 

I use Datamaster with an AKM cable. It is not cheap but I think it is very simple to use. I don't have any experience with any of the other software out there. BTW, I recently purchased the Innovative WB and while the feature for datalogging are great, it will only monitor up to 5 inputs. The Datamaster, as well as any other scan tool, should give you everything the computer monitors and controls. Hope this is helpful...

 

I know what you mean.
It's a long slow process to get this stuff.

Many years ago, I was able to trade off for a Diacom set-up. Since I tinker with alot of different ecms, it's been a real good deal for me.
A couple months ago I got TurboLink, and while at first it was buggy, Ken Seems to have gotten that taken care of. It's another commercial scanner, that can be used on alot of GM cars.

There's freeware around, but I just haven't been brave enough to try and play with it.

If I had to go out and spend the bucks today to buy something, I'd go with Turbolink. The deciding factor being it's alot less then Diacom.

The best thing to do is trying to see the various systems in use. Maybe you can find someone that lives around you that has a scanner and would ru thru things with you.

 

You can't beat WinALDL. It's free and the interface is easy as long as you have a laptop.

Start with that and play with it. Get a feel for what is important to you. Also the O2 sensor gives you some feedback on the contents of the exhaust.