Motorsport Dash & Track/Autocross logging equipment
 

I've been looking at motorsport dash devices and I'm wondering if anyone here uses one. There are expensive full dash units with screens and shift lights, lap timers and track mapping; mid-range modules for sending data via bluetooth to an Android, and then less expensive units that use the GPS/Gyroscope from iPhone/Android.

Some of the features seem redundant to what is already available on the dash (oil pressure and temp, tach, speed, et cetera...), except for GPS/Track-mapping and then the data logging.

Anyone have experience with these? Any opinions?

DD

Data Logging equipment
 

I have used Pi, AIM and Solostorm for data logging in various cars including my Cobra. If you need to monitor engine function with preset alarms and an active Dash I thought AIM provided the best value vs Pi but there are lots of very good systems available now. Look for the features you want and easy to use analysis software. We are currently using Solostorm with an Android tablet and a 10hz GPS receiver with a blue tooth link for autox. This system has been invaluable for developing the car the last two years. We use it to determine if our set up is right based on corner, acceleration and deceleration G loads. It also shows a course map, lines taken, and speed. I have every run that either Scott or I have made over the last two years stored in the Samsung tablet. We use that when comparing new set ups on similar surfaces or looking at grip level vs temperature. We have managed to increase grip by evaluating different springs, sway bars, shock settings, and tire wheel combinations and then maximizing results based on the data. Any system is better than no system so pick one that suits your needs and start working with it. We also use a Go Pro camera with this system so that you can see what the car is doing vs hard data.

As an example, we found that our acceleration from 16 to 24 mph was around .2 of a G at the Good Guys "Dual in the Desert" from 24 to 30 it was 1 g and from 30 to 60 1.2 g. Turns out that their courses are so tight now (for insurance reasons) that we lose all throttle response when rolling on at that rpm (1600). I am in the process of installing a 4.27 rear gear ratio because of that data so that this won't be an issue in 2016. We will still have a 67 mph first gear so it should help our times in these tight little autox's, We can start in second on normal autox courses so it should not hurt us there.

Hope this helps.

Wow! Great input. That gives me a good rolling start. I've seen the integrated dash systems from AIM and Stack (stand-alone systems), but the Android app and data acquisition modules such as SoloStorm are less expensive.

Is there analysis software used for analyzing performance?

DD