Toofer89

Hi Everyone,

I'm at work right now and was just pondering a future setup for my 87' Turbo II. I plan on going with a larger turbo setup with supporting mods and an Adaptonic modular ECU (M2000 was suggested to me).

My initial thought was that before I spend money on the turbo and ECU I would first purchase, install, and test the aftermarket gauges I will be getting to monitor my engine. (Boost, water or oil temp, oil pressure, etc.)

I just got to thinking though, is it necessary to do this? For initial startup, base map, and cruising purposes my engine vitals will all be displayed on the Adaptonic software when connected to my laptop correct? (Provided I have the ECU wired up to all necessary sensors of course).

It really would be no problem to get all the gauges in first but hey these are the things we think about while we are at work haha.

Anyway just kind of spit balling here. Let me know what you think!

Thanks,

-Mike

Toofer89

Additionally, from your experience does anyone think it would be beneficial to install my Adaptronic ECU on my stock setup BEFORE upgrading anything? To get to know the software before major changes are made to the vehicle?

Skeese

iTrader: (11)

You can download the software from the adaptronic website found at the link below. You can then use the basemap provided and play with the software to figure it all out before actually handing a live ECU in the car. Honestly 90% of my learning the ECU and its functions came from time spent with the software on one monitor and the ECU manual on the other side reading to truly understand what is going on. They wrote all this stuff down for good reason, problem is people this day and age are typically too impatient to read.

Downloads | Adaptronic

The gauges are really a matter of preference, I think. The adaptronic software will have all of the gauge readings available when the PC is plugged in but I personally just use these for a quick referece like A) my AFR is in an ok range right now or B) my water temperature is ok right now and I'm not overheating. For actual tuning purposes you are going to want to use log data and not the gauge face readings in the car.

Good luck!

Skeese

Toofer89

Awesome! Thanks for the insight and the link! I'm going to check that out for sure. Great point about reading the material, couldn't agree more. I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row here before I dig into the car this spring/summer. So I fortunately have plenty of time to go through material and checklists to try and get this car done the right way.

newtgomez

It sounds like you are on the right track. It will save a lot of work if you install your gauges and get everything working correctly before making a big step. You wont be able to look at your laptop while street tuning because it's not safe at all to do that. I would recommend having a person monitor the laptop while driving and have them make changes or have you play with the laptop while someone else drives. On my car, my wideband is easy to watch while driving. Plus, if one of your sensors arent reading correctly or not logging properly to your laptop, it will be great to have those gauges to fall back on. Personally, I data log and look back on what my car was doing and make adjustments. If I glance over and something isn't right, Ill back off and go easy on it. Good luck with your tuning! It's a great skill to learn and you'll have tons of fun messing with the software even if the ecu isn't in the car!

Toofer89

Oh yea I wouldn't try to drive and tune at the same time haha. Good call with having a little redundancy with the gauges as well as the laptop, you never know when one thing or another is going to fail.

It’s so hard to make incremental mods to our cars! Especially with the small series four waste gate... I can't even do my exhaust without basically needing to do everything else at the same time. Exhaust leads to new turbo, that leads to fuel, intake temps, and needing the ECU.. haha but that’s half the fun I guess.

I will def be playing around with the ECU software first, might as well get to know it. And then as time and funds allow gather everything else up to do at once and get the ECU in the car.

I'm really looking forward to it and am really glad we have an active and helpful Adaptronic section in this forum. I know it'll come in handy!

Tdawg

I know how to test the pressure of the oil not not using the gauge

Tdawg

Srry ANYONE KNOW how to test the pressure of the oil not not using the gauge

Tdawg

How do you check n make sure oilpumps are wrkn ❓❓