Hi All,

What does everyone recommend nowadays? I see the secs and other options but seem hard to get and i seem to be a dumby on what is needed to acheive this so just wondering what is out there.

Its in a 4x4 L8 green ecu with a stage 1 MSD chip at the mo.

I really just want to get rid of all my gauges so things are neater and be able to use it for fault finding etc. Like the IAW software and have a little display that looks close to period correct etc.

Cheers

 

I use the toucan, it's brilliant but not sure if it works on l8 out of the box.

 

This is what you need and what I am using. Great bit of kit

http://www.cosworthenginemonitor.co.uk

 

I believe james at autodynamix is bringing out a cool little monitor for the L8

 

Look forward to this.

With SECS you need to solder it to the respective ECU pins, which has always put me off.

Collins also do a monitor.

IAW requires a data stream enabled chip.

Martin

 

Really its only 5/6 wires and a bit of solder.

I think its a really good bit of kit.

 

Its not physical ECU live data though via the ones that solder to the sensor wires,

You really want one that will stream data via the serial data stream, so can give far more info and just plugs into the diagnostic port

 

https://www.autodynamix.co.uk/auto-d...g/dtm-monitor/

This is the one James does, he’s fitting one to my mates escos looks a good bit of kit

 

Yes that does look tidy.

 

I was just looking at this as its down the path i like. but i havent seen the one below which looks great. I might have to wait to see how the L8 version and mounting options turn out.

 

very nice
I'm tempted,
i agree with the solder thing,,thats what put me of the secs,if you see it through the data port,then you know its a true ecu reading

just looked at his webpage,rolling road/mapping

 

So with the monitors that need a pectel or collins board i assume that replaces the baby board thats in the L8 as standard? Do these need any soldering or just "plug n Play"?

Where can you buy these from?

Im assuming, but will check that since i have an MSD chip that was bought back in 2011 that the comms is enabled as i read a post from 2006 that Stu said all chis from then on will have it enabled by default. This was when they started supplying the IAW software.

Also im about to install the MSD Wasted Spark kit, is there any considerations here for any of these monitoring options?

Cheers

 

I know, but I personally don't like the idea of having to do this.

As said as good as SECS is, it's essentially a voltmeter.

The likes of IAW are a data stream.

Martin

 

The EPROM needs to have a data stream enabled.

The 'boards' are misunderstood, the baby board is native in the L8, if you remove it your essentially left with an L6. The Pectel board allows decryption to run Pectel's software.

Stu is probably referring to his own chips, MSD are the sole distributor of IAW, so that would figure.

No, although as you probably are aware your ECU will need drivers installed for this.

Martin

 

Ok i understand that the board is native in the L8, So i wont need anything more for my L8 ecu(ignoring chip specs as ill confirm this) than just whats supplied with these monitors?

I have contacted a couple of suppliers to get some info for what i need also but ill see who gets back to me.

Im thinking ideally id purchase the IAW software for diagnostics etc and one of the live monitoring device/screens for while im driving etc or is this over kill or redundant?

 

Have you checked IECS cosworth monitor...it is really good product

 

This does look good. I found a link to the instructions which provide better info then just randbmotorsports site. I have emailed them about the collins monitor that i found on their site but i havent heard back.

 

I have spoken to James about when the L8 support will be available and hes hoping sometime next month so thats not a long wait to see how it turns out! He says it will do the same as the IAW software aswell so this this sounds great. Im curious on the mounting for this in a sapphire dash tho.

 

I use the IESC monitor and find i very good..!

 

Its funny that we all love our old fashioned 3Doors, Saffs and Escos cars but want the very latest high tech monitoring systems. Its never bothered me and if I had constant monitoring of everything I would be checking it all the time and worrying if a reading was slightly out from normal and not enjoying driving it!! Good luck to those that like it but its not for me.

 

The good thing with monitors like the DTM is that they constantly record onto an SD card, so if anything did go wrong, or you want to have a look over the running data, you can just pull the card out and read a full data log, you dont need to constantly look at the gauges.

 

It’s nice to know everything is running okay and making the right pressures ect

 

Modern equipment to monitor things can look out of place but to be fair if it can safe guard an engine that’s cost many thousands it’s a no brainier for me. If your car is heavily modded surely oil pressure boost pressure afr water temp things like that are a must to keep an eye on properly

 

I do agree with what you are saying and im guilty of this but im constantly chasing issues with mine so its really for that plus i like gadgets. I also dont have anyone close that knows enough about cosworths that doesnt leave me feeling like i just paid an expert training time before they fix it.

Ignorance is bliss if your cars running right

 

It's good to have an insight as to what is happening, it's more about being proactive rather than reactive and could prevent a catastrophe.

As said the DTM's data logging capability is decent as well.

Martin

 

Maybe I have been lucky but my engine does not lose oil or fluids, has no oil leaks, has had new engine, fans and fuel pump wiring looms, lots of uprated and new parts and gets serviced on a regular basis and so far despite getting thrashed its hanging together well.I never worry about something going wrong and if it does it will get sorted out.Its a car and no matter what monoriting devices you have there is no such thing as a 100% reliable car.

 

I am also curious as to where/how it would mount on the sapp dash? Will it fit in the clock binnacle James or can it be fitted so you can remove the screen like a sat nav type possibly?

Thanks. Lee.

 

I have never had an issue in the years I have owned mine, but monitoring and decent instrumentation are worthwhile investments. I appreciate it's personal preference though.

Martin

 

I too am running one of these, it was already fitted in the car when I bought it though, shows a lot of instant info for a small monitor

Cheers Paul

 

I'm going till the end of the month to see how the progress on the auto dynamics one comes along and how it mounts. If that doesnt suit then ill probably buy this
http://www.cosworthenginemonitor.co.uk.

I have emailed randbmotorsport twice to get info about the ones on their site but theyve never replied so i wont be buying from them.