Pretzel

The problem with selling software to do it is the platform it will be written and tested for will be what I decide to run it on, there is no guarantee that it will work correctly on other platforms etc.. I wouldn't want to sell software, to have someone then put in the crappiest hardware they could find (Being thrown out for example) to then make the system unreliable, and then of course blame the software. I realise this is probably aimed at a limited market, but I figure that I wanted it and was willing to spend the money developing it, so others may have been interested as well !

The problem with the PS2 is having the driver to talk to the USB port for comms properly (I am led to believe, I checked into your suggestion)

Xbox doesn't have Serial or USB inputs, so is not a solution we can run with... Palm Pilots/Windows CE devices, are a possibility we had looked at, but decent display size/resolution is expensive still, and the cheaper ones have poor size/resolution displays....

Yes, that is something I had not thought of.... It is certainly cheaper than getting anything produced... I might look into what would be required to get the software working on the Xbox... Still have the problem of the interface into the Xbox for the data to come from..... I'll look into what the Xbox has as far as inputs etc.. Pretzel

Stang, I would hope that once sorted, another company would want to take this onboard anyhow (Because in theory it will not only work on Fords, but of course the Ford has the display in the dash already !) By Computer it means either of the options you mentioned.... My preference is a custom circuit board to do exactly what we want (But there is additional development costs there !) Yes people spend under $1000 to set up their gauges (But only two of them) This would give them almost as many as they want, and with stealth. Yes they are proven products, but someone had to be first with them too ! In this case I've been running mine for a few months without issues.... what do you class as proven ? As for damaging the screen, I am only supplying signals to the display (In the format ford have chosen) so it is as likely to damage the display as say a Blaupunkt DVD player is..... (It's basically doing the same as the DVD player is, and both are not Factory fitted !) The path I take depends on what sort of interest there is, and where the interest comes from... Pretzel

At this point it will be added to the car (an additional computer, see my other response) The whole idea was because I didn't want to add additional gauges to my car (When the car is off, it looks like every other XR on the road !), but I did want the extra information available to me in the car ! 0-100-0 should be no problem to implement into the solution I think.. but starting and stopping it will require some sort of button etc.. Otherwise it is always measuring it everytime you drive the car ! you would need to hit a button to start the measurements, and then again once you've stopped playing to turn it off I suppose As far as providing to NZ customers...... No problem, if something goes ahead it can be available to anywhere.....

It is basically hardware that is the expensive bit (and depending on what the final hardware solution is, I will know what sort of software costs I will have from the guy doing the software for me !) The problem is that you need the following: Some sort of brain to control it (Read here expensive custom hardware, or PC based solution) Neither are really cheap and to have a reliable PC based solution in a car requires a bit of crap ! Then you have to interface it to the Factory ECU (Or whatever ECU you are running) Then it needs to be interfaced into the ICC to be displayed on the screen (Or add an aftermarket pop out screen to non Premium equipped vehicles) So that is where the majority of the expense is ! In addition to this, for additional gauges that are not already monitored via ECU will need another interface between new sensors and PC, hey this is not a problem, just adds a bit more expense ! Let's throw in rough prices: PC based solution (Small and reliable hopefully) anything up to $1000 (ish) Must be small, have no moving parts (Which will cause premature failure in a car) run reliably with the variances in supply voltage without resetting etc.. Needs to have I/O ports to be able to communicate to the rest of the vehicle etc.. Interface to ECU (Let's say around $200) the end solution is not finalised at this stage so this is a guess Interface to ICC (Blaupunkt one is what? over $500?? I know I can do that for say $200-$300 though as well not using Blaupunkt equipment !) NOTE None of the Blaupunkt dealers I rang were interested in selling me their interface even though I had part numbers etc.. thanks to TurboCorty ! This doesn't include something for the software guy (I figure we'll have to pay an amount per unit sold to him like a royalty) Especially if units are custom and give people exactly what they want. Then there's installation bits and pieces (Which we don't know until all the hardware is finalised) say another $100 or so for plugs, wiring etc.. Now you see where my dilemma is..... It will be an expensive product, and as such is it worth me investing a lot more time and money to make it something that will only sell say 3 or 4 units.... I'm not wanting to live off these units.... but I'd like to recover costs at least if I go further ! I agree a $200 solution would sell like hotcakes....... that is not possible ! $1000 may not even be possible to keep it under (Without compromising the unit's reliability) The suggestion of DVD etc.... is more than anything to help offset the cost by giving the product more features that may be required by people Pretzel

Hey guys, Sorry I've been a bit quiet about this (I have been playing with it further, and I have it doing more that what you've seen) I don't know how many of you would be really interested in this, but I am now at the point of deciding whether I develop it further than it just being a mod in my own car ! I have been looking into what is involved in making it something others can have, and it is not a cheap solution ! Mine currently is able to display the following: RPM Inlet Temp Water Temp Boost/Vacuum Battery Voltage A/F ratio Ignition Timing Injector Pulse I need convincing that there is a real market for this type of solution, yes it can be made to display in any form (Bars or dials etc..) If there is enough interest anything is possible to be monitored. How many of you would not baulk at say a $1500 - $2000 price tag ? I'm not saying that's what it would cost, but until I have a final (Non development) solution I won't know ! The final solution may end up possibly doing other things in addition to guages (Like DVD player etc..) So now it's back to you ..... who is serious about it ? Pretzel

I think the tranny issues are NOT due to the EMS. Yes the EMS is producing good power, which is causing them to fail, and they will fail regardless of what upgrade path is chosen anyway (If enough power is put through them !) I don't blame the EMS for my box failure, it was my decision to wind it up so far !! The EMS just gave me the ability to do so ! Pretzel <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Fair enough , not having a go. Just seemed to me that there are not too many EMS fitted cars around and it appeared to ME that proportionally they were having a few more tranny issues <{POST_SNAPBACK}> No problem, just trying to clear up the misconception that the EMS causes it! Yes I think all the EMS fitted cars have had problems with tranny (Bar possibly one) but that only means the EMS'd cars are just going beyond the gearbox limits !

I think the tranny issues are NOT due to the EMS. Yes the EMS is producing good power, which is causing them to fail, and they will fail regardless of what upgrade path is chosen anyway (If enough power is put through them !) I don't blame the EMS for my box failure, it was my decision to wind it up so far !! The EMS just gave me the ability to do so ! Pretzel

Mine has also done this on the rear (Only one tyre so far I believe) I asked a tyre place and they said, "no mate, you've driven over something that has cut it, you need to buy new tryes to replace them !" at which point I drove out and figured I could live with it as the tyres are almost buggered anyhow! I guess I should have taken it further, but didn't bother.

Ok, I'm back now... Yes it currently interfaces to the EMS, giving real time live data (That is what I see when driving) The whole idea was to see if there is interest in it being interfaced to the standard ECU ? Obvioulsy there is. I am looking at options for the non premium, but it will involve a pop out screen of some sort. At this stage the internet address is put on by the company(Friend) I used to develop the software side of it, I'm not smart enough to get it all working on my own !! In theory any sensor the ECU uses we should be able to get and display, and additional ones, like oil temp etc. could be added as well. (All comes down to fitting sensors, and cost of development etc..) I'll ty to answer more questions later Pretzel

It's in development still, so is not completed to my satisfaction yet. Let me know what you would like to see displayed ! I'm going away for the weekend, so won't be able to respond until next Tuesday !

Hey guys, What do you think of the latest mod to the car ? And before anyone asks...... No I have not tested these on an independent Dyno Dynamics Dyno ! :lol: It's still in development, and it's not the best photo. Pretzel

Hey guys, had a few of the XA-B-C coupes, and can clarify the bumper bars.. Rear bumpers were the same on the coupes XA-B-C, the front was thin on both the XA and XB, but the XB had a cutout section where the indictors were in the front stone-tray, making a thiner bit at the ends ! The XC had the thicker front bar with no stonetray at the front ! The XA Taillights were the ones that sloped back into the body, the XB and XC were the same, flush with the back of the car ! hope that clears them up ? Pretzel

We'll have to see if Nick has time to I guess (Unless someone else will run one ?) Pretzel

The only Dyno Day would happen at Nicks <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Sorry George ,did I miss something , why only at Nicks ?? :blink:Not that there is a problem with that . Just seems to be somewhat exclusive ? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Where else can we pick up 60rwkw without doing anything ?? Thought I'd get in before someone else did

I'm sure Nick would be up for another Dyno day (He offered one to help out Phasen)

tinting closer to my body color.. may aswell leave them how they are then! lol. honestly does it look try-hard? I honestly think it looks good. better than chrome rice lights or clear lights. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I don't agree that tinting closer to your body colour would do nothing, the tint itself would cover the lights(If that's how the tints work on lights), and having no light from behind (unless they are turned on etc) should give an external appearance of the colour of the tint (I hope) to some extent. Don't get me wrong, I think they look good in Black, just thought for a lighter colour, that a body coloured light would blend in more (To match with the de-badged appearance) They look cool though, not 'ricey' Pretzel

Personally don't like going the dark lights on lighter colours.... How about trying a tint close to your body colour, to blend them in more than make them stand out ?? Dark would look good on a Dark Blue/Green/Black.... Pretzel

Hey if it's the difference between getting one, and not getting one, I'd throw in a bench seat out of an earlier model, with a fold down centre arm rest ! Sure you'd have to cut the centre console to fit properly (Or remove it altogether) but it's not a bad compromise. Or put in the dicky seat thing out of an early model falcon (Narrow padded seat the folds up/down) I have a mate with an AU XR8 that has done this to transport around his son and wife at the same time (Without tying the wife up and throwing her under the tarp !) But if Ford were to release a 4-Door (Twincab) turbo Ute I'd buy one yesterday ! I know the F Series are available, but by the time they are optioned up they cost shiploads ! But would be my choice if I won Tattslotto (Note to self..... Need to buy tickets to have any chance of winning tattslotto) Pretzel

You'll find an improvement by not running the stock pipes if you can do it. The pipe that goes under the Drivers Headlight from factory is one Ugly piece of piping !! Looks to be very restrictive. I'd run something like mine(XTC)/Geea's(APS) under bonnet, and go back to stock piping if/when you put back the stock cooler ! Pretzel

That is also my understanding Aaron. My cooler is at its limit and probably past that. We can real off 1-2 good runs then the intake temp goes through the roof. I really need something that can handle 300-320rwkw, so I am not sure on the PWR one. However at this stage it seems to be the only solution in terms of price etc. Any other ones I have been interested in all seem to be still in development. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> in response to you and a pm: Hi Just read your post on intercoolers and now im realy confused I thought that what ever hp you have the biggest intercooler the better (including standard hp) Im looking at getting a stage 1 upgrade soon (250rwkw) is ther any advantage in getting a bigger cooler What would you recommend value for money Thanks Carl cooler size upgrades are always a good idea, now that is if not over done! this leads to more consistent runs time after time! the bar and plate coolers like mine are the go as is the aps phiii cooler. I have 2 sizes 1st for upto 350rwkw and the second for upto 450rwkw which I would say the phiii aps is capable of too! I cant post prices here so if you are interested call me! I think most have my number 03 9354 1198 <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Nick can you post them up thanks mate just out of interest and obviously after seeing Bretts intercooler, the ones you have will they slot into existing factory mounts? And will I still be able to run the standard piping, as obviously on pretzels the piping was very different Cheers JB. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> JB, Because they are larger than standard, they fit in the standard spot, but don't make use of the original brackets. The bottom hose fits up straight away, and with mine because I was not going for standard under bonnet, we made it cross over under the headlight, into the new plumbing. I'm not sure if it could be hooked back across to the standard top hose ? hope that helps ? Pretzel

Hey Dave, Just 'cause he's a useless bugger with percentages etc.. Stop clouding the issue with Facts ! Naah... On second throughs........ Go for it !! Pretzel

Have had Clutch fry over 300, and then at 300 the T5 had become very second hand ! Driven relatively hard all the time though ! Pretzel