RacePak LCD Dashboard - bada-Bling!

[cali74]

So a stream of bits are trickling in through the mail this week, and the most exciting recent addition came in today... the new dash to replace all the gauges.

I got the Racepak UDX street dash cause I'm making a whole new custom wiring harness for the car, and with the 3.6 and new transmission would have needed some gauge changes anyway. This lets me program in what I want to display, and handles all the warning lights. It's backlit and seems really light-weight!

The company is at:
http://www.racepak.com/

I won't know how it works till it's all wired in, which might take a while as I'm still laying out the harness right now (good news last week after getting ~100ft of ancor 14gauge wire for $15 :-) ).

Part of the harness will include a few switches from:
http://www.speeding.co.uk/
They glow blue of course...

I've got the Rennline dash, so I'll just have to figure out where exactly to position them.

So...Pictures....

[cali74]

[Jeff Alton]

Does this dash require one of their data recorders or is it self contained requiring only the sensors?? It is very cool!

Cheers

[cali74]

This one is self contained. There are two wiring ports on the back (12 pin on the left and 15 pin on the right).

The kit comes with plugs and wire crimps so you just send any sensor inputs you have to the dash through the appropriate pins. The dash does come with two temp sensors and an oil pressure sensor, but the dash is programmable, so you can set it to work with existing sensors (though I'll have to hook it all up to make sure the stock 993 sensors are read correctly).

The speedo you program either hall effect or sine, and set the number of pulses per revolution, then you can tune with 1/8 and 1/4 mile revolution numbers.

The fuel level sensor input has preset resistance ranges for common sensor types, including VDO. Also there is a custom setting where you just empty the tank, press a button - then fill the tank and press it again to program the resistance levels. That would be nice if you wanted to make sure 0% actually left some fuel in the tank.

There are 2 other ports on the back. One is for the V-Net sensors, which is their special plug system that works with all their other equipment. The other is a computer port, so you can hook up the dash to serial port on the comp. Then you can download dash layout files or create your own. I'd like to use this feature as I don't need water temp readings, but I'd always like to see oil temp.

Other than that I just send my signal wires to the dash and tell the dash if each one is on when grounded or on when hot.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention...the street version doesn't have the data recording feature in it ("self-contained" otherwise), and hence is cheaper, if you want built in recording though you can get those versions too :-)

[Kroggers]

Looking forward to a pic when it is all installed.

[Jeff Alton]

This thing is cool, I want one!

[lateapex911]

AIM has a couple, I have the MXL. It's a whole data aq package, but very cheap when you consider all it does. If you track, and you want lap times and predictive lap times, it's a no brainer.

http://www.aimsports.com/auto/index.html

The top leds are programmable shift lights. The display is fully configurable.

[Jeff Alton]

Any update on how well this dash worked out for you?

Cheers

[cali74]

Originally posted by catca
Any update on how well this dash worked out for you?

Cheers

It's worked out great sitting in my closet, hehe :-)

I haven't worked on installing it cause I was focused on other parts and it's going kind of slowly right now. When I do the test electrical though I'll post what I find out - the biggest questions will be the polarity for the inputs, and signal compatibility.

[atlporsche]

I'm going to totally do either this one or the AIM when I get the Miata powered MGB speedster going (it's forever away)

sjd

[lateapex911]

I will say this, as I get more involved with it, the AIM unit is pretty cool, and I think the graphics are so adaptable. The website has lots of support, and it's easy to download new versions and firmwear.

Reconfiguring the unit is easy, and it' is VERY capable. If data aq is part of the picture, it's a great value.

I use the MXL, but they have smaller and less expensive versions available as well. Phone support from the track...on a Sunday(!)... was terrific.

[dd74]

Subscribing - BIG TIME.

[Jeff Alton]

So what does one of the AIM units cost? Can if be configured with stock sensors? I have both stock and GM sensors on my 3.4 I need to run and I need a speedo.

Cheers

[lateapex911]

yes, the AIM unit is very configuarable. Cost is dependent on model, and what sensors you want included. Best bet is to call a supplier, or hit the website.

I got mine through george at Motorsports Exchange. http://www.motorsports-exchange.com/eStore1.htm

www.aimsports.com will get you the main site with all the products. It's racing company, and they are heavy into all sorts of data aq and karts.

Prices start in the 700 range for the MyChron 3 system. It's like the MXL I have a pic of above, but smaller, with less memory and inputs.

The MXL, depending on the capability you need, seems to run between the high 900 range to a round 2K.

One thing I will say is that the unit itself, the wires and the connectors are all what I would expect to see on a F1 or CART car...mil spec quality.

I can snap pics of the MXL in my car in action if anybody wants.

[poorb0yw]

Heres a couple pics of a Racepak dash installed in my car.




Works great so far. I haven't messed around with the data logging much yet.

[Jeff Alton]

I would love to see some pics installed of the AIM unit.

Princeton, was the Racepak easy to configure?

Cheers

[poorb0yw]

Jeff. It was quite easy. Only guage I had problems with was the fuel level. I took care of that by buying resistors to replicate the empty and full readings so that I could get an accurate calibration.

[lateapex911]

Heres the smaller MyChron unit. I'll snap the racecar pics tomorrow.

[Jeff Alton]

Jake and Princeton, thanks for taking the time to help out the rest of us here, the pics and info is great!!

Cheers

[lowyder993s]

...couldn't wait on Cali, so I did it myself Fuel guage is a big plus! 27 gal cell, set it @ 0 w/ 7 gal in. Topped off @ 100% Drain 5 gal, it reads 75%
I just need to put oil temp where the water temp is. The only drawback is that it doesn't interface w/ the G2X...so if I want MPH right in front of me, I need to spring for the the front wheel sensor.