Data Logger Worth it or Not?

[AveryMcLawhorn]

I have a 66 Chevy II with 283 Super Stock car. Are data loggers really worth the money for carburator applications? What value do they add? Best brands?

Thanks,
Avery

[voltdr]

ABSOLUTELY.......
I've used Racepak since 2007. Everyone I know that has "finally" spent the money to get a data logger, wished they would've done it sooner............
Dan
SC4698

[Tom Goldman]

The data you gain will eliminate guesswork and reliance on trackside " you spun the tires " observations .
Just having the basics of engine ,driveshaft and O2 will help save time and money by providing solid visual data graphs that can be overlaid to compare good and bad runs and make informed shock and suspension adjustments.
Real world ,on the track O2 data is very helpful in finding the tuneup that not only can pick up ET for a heads up run ,but also find the perfect bracket mode tuneup that delivers consistency.
Additional channels like oil and fuel pressure can also help catch problems before they result in destruction

[Jeff Stout]

Yes for sure. I have 1 on bracket/ small tire car with nitrous sometimes. I have gained 1/10 in 1/4 ET due to reading graph and seeing Converter was wrong by about 200 rpm and car was going to lean at finish line. I'm not the smartest guy but made me smarter and faster. Also I watched how oil pressure was fluctuating alot going down track. Adding 1/2 a quart of oil straightened out pressure reading and maybe saved a engine from being hurt.

[Wayne Kerr]

Friend of ours had similar thoughts to yours, first time out with his Racepak system he had an oil pressure issue, discovered a broken oil pump pickup and saved an expensive engine.
He no longer wonders the value of data acquisition,

See you at the races,
Wayne Kerr

[cad]

Yes- and look into RPM Performance. Simpler, reliable and a higher level of personal support than Racepak.

Clark

[Dean Feiock]

The Racepak Sportsman appears to be the entry level unit. Their website states that out of the box it will record:

Engine RPM
Drive Shaft RPM (Requires Driveshaft Collar Sold Separately)
Accelerometer G-Meter
Lateral G-Meter
Battery Voltage
12 volt event
Record Button

What information would you gain from these inputs? Wheel slip, acceleration rate, missed shift RPM?

What else would need to be added to that system when used on a carbureted stocker?

[AveryMcLawhorn]

So what data logger system is recommended? Additional what extra benefit does the MSD Grid offer?

[Stan Weiss]

Originally Posted by Dean Feiock

The Racepak Sportsman appears to be the entry level unit. Their website states that out of the box it will record:

Engine RPM
Drive Shaft RPM (Requires Driveshaft Collar Sold Separately)
Accelerometer G-Meter
Lateral G-Meter
Battery Voltage
12 volt event
Record Button

What information would you gain from these inputs? Wheel slip, acceleration rate, missed shift RPM?

What else would need to be added to that system when used on a carbureted stocker?

You can see what is happening before, during and after a gear change.

You can see what your torque convertor slippage is as the car goes down the strip.

For similar weather conditions you can overlap Accelerometer / G-Meter data and see where in the run a change helped or hurt.

Engine acceleration rate will vary not only for from one gear to another but also within each gear. One reason I like an inertia dyno fixed load variable acceleration rate engine test.

Stan

[Dragsinger]

to the above list, add fuel pressure, and you are well on your way to a consistent package