Thread: Hey

Welcome Joel, everything you describe is very doable however I think its going to be tight to finish by April. There is a but-load of reading here to do first planning, then asking questions, aquiring parts, assembling and troubleshooting. If you are very focused and have plenty of cash and free time on your hands, it can be done though!
Make sure you start in the newbie section and read, read, read, theres tons of great info there.

thanks for welcoming me. Doing this kind of thing in record-time is my specialty, especially with online support and boy, am I glad to see this forum.
Id appreciate suggestions on GUIs because the only reason I even found this thread was looking-up torque for android, which im a big fan of. I've been convinced, by reading, than an actual pc is the way to go, but I don't know where to start on the software.

Welcome, your project sounds very very much like mine. Controlling a MS is one of the things that I think could be difficult. I would also think about having some standard gauges just in case you have a computer problem, I am planning on running a speedo, tach, and fuel load gauges.

thanks for welcoming me. I'm quite the fast learner, in my opinion, and this is my only hobby so I think I should be able to get this done in the next three months. I suppose only time will tell though. thanks for the advice.

controlling a MS? what is that?
I want to replace the cluster since im going to be pegging the 120mph cap and redline starts at 5250 and I've got a 6k capable motor, the fuel gauge sucks, the oil pressure is idiot-switched, and the temp gauge isn't accurate. the sensors are fine, I hear, though. Ford sucks so I need to keep the cluster in anyway, I just want an overlay. it should be reversable and look OEM, so I wont be screwed if I have a failure. ultimately, though, ill be okay with keeping the stock cluster if my HUD works well so I can still have real gauges.

Originally Posted by Joel Maxwell

thanks for welcoming me. I'm quite the fast learner, in my opinion, and this is my only hobby so I think I should be able to get this done in the next three months. I suppose only time will tell though. thanks for the advice.

I am also gonna try to be finished with my entire car be the summer, but I also have copious amounts of free time, and a 6 man crew that is willing to help. Doing a car PC in three months is not impossible but to do it by yourself could be tricky.

Originally Posted by Joel Maxwell

controlling a MS? what is that?

MegaSquirt, have you looked into them much yet, or are you going to try to keep with the stock ECU. Here is a MS plun-n-play kit for a Ford 60 pin ECU connector: http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/d...kit-p-421.html

Originally Posted by Joel Maxwell

I want to replace the cluster since im going to be pegging the 120mph cap and redline starts at 5250 and I've got a 6k capable motor, the fuel gauge sucks, the oil pressure is idiot-switched, and the temp gauge isn't accurate. the sensors are fine, I hear, though. Ford sucks so I need to keep the cluster in anyway, I just want an overlay. it should be reversable and look OEM, so I wont be screwed if I have a failure. ultimately, though, ill be okay with keeping the stock cluster if my HUD works well so I can still have real gauges.

My plan is to put the gauges on the dash, something like this: http://www.stage3motorsports.com/pro...-Shipping.html

Sorry about the double post. I didn't realize I needed confirmation by a mod and thought my phone was just being a douche.

Originally Posted by BoyRacer0013

I am also gonna try to be finished with my entire car be the summer, but I also have copious amounts of free time, and a 6 man crew that is willing to help. Doing a car PC in three months is not impossible but to do it by yourself could be tricky.[/url]

We'll see. I doubt it will end-up working in my favor because I'm going to have to cut the research-side of things down, and it also depends a lot on the weather, but from what I see, my biggest hold-time will be how soon I can get paychecks.

Originally Posted by BoyRacer0013

MegaSquirt, have you looked into them much yet, or are you going to try to keep with the stock ECU. Here is a MS plun-n-play kit for a Ford 60 pin ECU connector: http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/d...kit-p-421.html[/url]

I have looked into MegaSquirt. I'm a big fan from what I've seen. I, however, have no real experience and this is where I need the most help. The only software I was aware of before I found this forum was Torque for android. I figured I'd end-up trying to write something with LabView or something to get things going. I'll definitely take a look into the pnp kit you listed.

Originally Posted by BoyRacer0013

My plan is to put the gauges on the dash, something like this: http://www.stage3motorsports.com/pro...-Shipping.html

I love that look in that style mustang, issue is, it doesn't fit mine too well. I've still got a lot of planning to do, though. Either way, to run the car, I need to keep the stock cluster. I'm leaning towards leaving it and just having HUD for the in-depth info, since that's where I want it accessible anyway.

Also, this PnP kit does or does not replace the actual ECU?

Originally Posted by Joel Maxwell

Also, this PnP kit does or does not replace the actual ECU?

Yes if it is comatible with your stang it would replace the stock ecu.

I think I might have discovered what I want to do. I'm really not a fan of the gauges and similar software I'm finding for actual PCs. I'm much more inclined to the soft edges of the android systems. What I think I'll do is use torque on a tablet to replace the cluster and mirror for my HUD. One reason I don't like this is the lack of sound quality from a tab. number two is that I can't feed boost through my current ECU. If I replace that ECU and feed boost to it, I can achieve that. I run that ECU from a carputer that also runs my audio and all diagnostics, like nav, since the PC will have an easier, uglier interface.
Will the BT dongle from the OBDII port support two devices? Is this even sane to think of doing it this way?