Chevy & GMC Vans

Soon I would like to buy a multi-function performance guage for my 97. I am not interested in the "Scan Guage." I want something that will show multiple functions simultaneously on the monitor.

I have been looking around and I have not seen very many that are compatible with our vehicles. Currently I'm eying the Bully Dog Watch Dog unit. It doesn't do as much as I'd like it to, but their more advanced units are not compatible. I also looked at Diablo units and they too don't seem to have a compatible unit.

Does anyone have something besides the Scan Guage?

These look great and there are lot's of you tube clips too http://www.race-technology.com/dash2_2_31.html

Whoa! That looks awesome! Maybe out of my price range.....but damn I might have to save up for that. I'm looking in the $500 or less range...that looks like it might be closer to $1,000 with the needed ECU cables. I'm drooling though.

I use this, http://gopointtech.com/ with my iPhone. I only hook it up when I am diagnosing or bored while driving... If you have an iPad or a Touch you could use it full time.

97CargoCrawler wrote:Whoa! That looks awesome! Maybe out of my price range.....but damn I might have to save up for that. I'm looking in the $500 or less range...that looks like it might be closer to $1,000 with the needed ECU cables. I'm drooling though.

You have pm

97CargoCrawler wrote:I want something that will show multiple functions simultaneously on the monitor.

How many?

I think 4 would be nice and perhaps more if they could be displayed without confusion and clutter. Right now my main concerns are tranny temp, line pressure and oil pressure. Though I don't think the PCU has a tranny line pressure reading output.

I just installed a new tranny and did some engine work and I really want to keep an eye on them. Once I know they are good I want to start playing with my JET DST to adjust other parameters. I know a data logger is pretty much essential for tuning though I'm not sure that I can afford that type of unit just yet.

Scangauge handles 4 parameters just fine. Why don't you like it?

97CargoCrawler wrote:I think 4 would be nice and perhaps more if they could be displayed without confusion and clutter. Right now my main concerns are tranny temp, line pressure and oil pressure. Though I don't think the PCU has a tranny line pressure reading output.

I just installed a new tranny and did some engine work and I really want to keep an eye on them. Once I know they are good I want to start playing with my JET DST to adjust other parameters. I know a data logger is pretty much essential for tuning though I'm not sure that I can afford that type of unit just yet.

You have a 4l60E transmission?

Yes, I have a 4l60E...and I think I know where you're going with that.... I did read the FSM.

I don't like the Scangauge because it does not have features like variable color display for both back-light and text and it does not have an analog style readout large enough to bother with. For something I want to monitor continuously I don't want to have to read fine print while trying to drive. I like larger analog displays because I can easily see them in my peripheral vision and keep my eyes on the road. The scangauge doesn't seem to be lacking in info, but I just don't understand why they package it in something that looks like an old school pager. It looks like junk.

Scangauge does have different backlight colours. You can't change the text, but I've never seen one that could. It's true there's no analog, but I wouldn't pay an extra $400 just for that. It's perfectly readable for me and I like how it fits neatly in my dash.

I read the manual, I know what it can do. I'm glad you're happy with it. I still don't like it.

This looks interesting, AND you can create your own gauge skins for total customization:

http://www.dashdaq.com/features/gauges.htm

It's in the $500 range and has GPS and data logging. Can also display up to 24 parameters. This is the type of instrument I'm looking for. I think this unit is pretty damn amazing.










I like their comparison to similar products:

http://www.dashdaq.com/specs/compare.htm

that's an interesting device you've found

I just pulled the trigger on a DashDaq system with enhanced GM parameters, $670 shipped. It can supposedly monitor about 500 codes with the extra $95 enhanced software package that I purchased. It even allows for analog inputs in case you want to add your own sensors.

It looks pretty awesome. I will let you guys know how it works out. I like that it's made in the USA and I can call tech support and speak to someone I can relate to.

I'd still like to hear about other units.

So my DashDAQ-XL has arrived! I just verified my coolant temp with it and solved one mystery instantly. I suppose I might do a full writeup on it eventually. It is expensive but I hope it makes up for that in usefulness.

Seconds after plugging it in I was monitoring coolant temp, RPM's, speed, intake temp and throttle position. Literally all I had to do was tap a gauge and assign a task to it and it immediately gave a reading. Totally plug and play. I am impressed!

I think it will take me a few weeks to get all my custom gauges drawn up and assigned but that sounds more like fun than work.