This is the DataMaxx main module. We mounted it behind the LCD dash display unit on the other side of the dash panel.
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| This one cable is all that is needed to connect the dash to the main module. | All sensor and power wires go to this unit. It’s well marked and easy to hook-up. Instructions tell you how to make sure you hook the wires up correctly. |
 This is the backside of the DataMaxx main module screw on cover. This is the "map" to make sure you get the sensor wires hooked up to the right terminals in the right "zone". Once we took a few minutes to look it over it was very easy to get it done correctly. |
As you know our season came to an early end due to engine breakage. We made 22 runs and remembered to hit “record” on 17 of them. In 2008 we will have a switch on the Terminator that starts to record when the throttle goes wide open and shuts of when the brakes are applied. The information we got was always clear and precise. No interference or garbled data.
We can follow the EGT in real time as we can water temp and oil pressure. Want to know what you EGT is at the shift point or how much water temp goes up on a run to see if you are running to lean or too rich? This is the way to do it. We made some jet changes on the Terminator fuel injection and found some interesting things that change. We went richer and actually raised the EGT? Then we added timing and it cooled off 100 degrees. We learned we were not running enough timing and the combustion was actually finishing in the header pipe!
As for driveshaft RPM and engine RPM, we watched a converter go bad over three runs. The first 10 runs or so on the converter was a repeatable graph of RPM and the time it took to flash and get to the shift point. The driveshaft RPM was smooth and steady with only a couple instances of tire spin on some early runs at a track. We then noticed a slower rise in RPM of the engine and tire spin on launch. We tried air adjustments on the tires but the sluggish RPM and progressively slower E.T. indicated a problem. We changed converters and the car woke back up. Zero tire spin, .04 better 60-foot times and the last day we ran it we have four straight 5.12 1/8th mile E.T. slips with 60-footers within .004. My guess is we either damaged a sprag or laid some fins over on the converter.
The driveshaft RPM is something we are still learning. I think we will eventually be able to tell if the track is getting slick down track and just how good or bad the start line is. When we can put dial-in numbers to that data we will have accomplished what I wanted.
Next month I will go into details of the new instructions Computech is offering and some features that the DataMaxx offers that we have not even used yet. I will have some wiring tips and additional detailed photos next month, so watch for DataMaxx tech article #2. Hopefully we will have a link to the new directions and complete pricing and availability information for you in November.