Laptop W/ Powerlogger Instead of Gauges?

[zhorner]

First post, just bought an '87 GN yesterday and the gauges got to go...3 to the right of the dash and 4 more mounted on a bracket to the right of the console. They are nice autometer gauges and installed right but they kill me.

I plan on getting a scanmaster and powerlogger soon and would like to know if i can just mount a small laptop to display my boost,temp, etc...and sell the joe dirt set up?

 

[BlackBandit]

don't lose the boost gauge and make sure whatever you uses to monitor knock is VERY Easy to monitor. As for the rest is it legal to use a laptop while driving in your neck of the woods?

 

[AZMotorgod]

GNs are pretty lacking when it comes to giving the driver feedback on what is going on with the car. You may want to live with them for a while and see what you can and can't live without.

I to don't like too many gauges but I agree that boost and knock gauges are necessary...but then again water temp, oil pressure, etc... are nice too.

Maybe just find a more elegant way to mount them?

 

[TR Custom Parts]

I would keep the gauges, you won't always be able to have the laptop handy if you have passengers AND they can be tough to read in the daytime. Trying to look at the laptop when driving is as bad as trying to text on a cellphone. And yes, I have been guilty of messing with the laptop when driving, I don't advise it and try not to any more besides hitting the spacebar to record.:wink:

 

[zhorner]

some strong points guys i appreciate the input, didnt think about the sunlight blinding the screen. I was just trying to save from buying all new gauges AND the SM/PL. the only "more elegant way to mount them" is to sell the monsters that i have and get some pods with 2" gauges instead. Nothin but a little more time and money i guess...

 

[dank GN]

yes thats just the start! hope you have a well paying job lol jk

 

["Turbo-T"]

You could do a powerlogger and just loook at the lap top but I'd think they'd be harder to read.

Maybe you could look into the GNX style dash? It puts all the gauges where the sweep speedo goes, you get the round speedo, round tach, boost, fuel, oil, water temp all in one little shell. only downfall is the price.

Another option, if you don't mind going digital, is Dakota digital I believe makes a speedo replacement for the Regal with all the same stuff.

 

[zhorner]

GNX style dash would solve my problem but i dig the grandma style long swoop original...85 mph tho wtf was buick thinking?

Im just going to keep my strip car gauge setup for now and mount a computer to see how i feel about it before removing anything.

 

[delcowizzid]

i was looking at hard mounting a laptop motherboard in my car with a solid state hardrive and making my dash with a 7" touchscreen like this 7 inch TOUCHSCREEN LCD MONITOR | eBay and connect my realtime tuning ecu into it and use it as the dash and tuning centre as well as stereo.

 

[TR Custom Parts]

GNX style dash would solve my problem but i dig the grandma style long swoop original...85 mph tho wtf was buick thinking?

Im just going to keep my strip car gauge setup for now and mount a computer to see how i feel about it before removing anything.

Post some pics so we can see your setup.

 

[zhorner]

Im out of town working for the next week and dont have any pics yet.

 

[zhorner]

here is a link to my cars autotrader ad...youll see what im talking about

Cars for Sale: 1987 Buick Regal Coupe in Waurika, OK 73573: Coupe Details - 299710545 - AutoTrader.com

 

[Fast4Ward]

duct tape one of those 10.1 slim laptops on top of the steering colum...hmm i wonder if i can fit one of these screens in place of the gauge cluster...hmm now that would be cool

 

[AZMotorgod]

I see what you mean, definitely room for improvement.

 

[zhorner]

haha i know man they're killer.

 

[Daniel Jost]

Wow WTF? Those guages look terrible... A guage pillar pods and center console pod would help clean up a lot...

,Dan

 

[SS/GN]

Boost and oil in the console(Kirbans dual pod) and a scanmaster above the radio.Thats it your doneSell of that space shuttle stuff and you will be even Welcome to the Buick world:biggrin:

Kevin

 

[zhorner]

Boost and oil in the console(Kirbans dual pod) and a scanmaster above the radio.Thats it your doneSell of that space shuttle stuff and you will be even Welcome to the Buick world:biggrin:

Kevin

im pretty paranoid about temp ill probably need a gauge.

exactly how does the scanmaster cycle through info? i know it is a small digital readout but thats about it.

 

[SS/GN]

The scanmaster gives you temp,volts,rpm etc.You really only need Boost,oil psi and a scanmaster.:biggrin:You don"t need a lap top or powerlogger yet.Stay on this site ,read read and read,then ask questions.You have much to learn,keep it simple and these cars will reward you with ETGood luck,they are fun

Kevin

 

[Razor]

There is a neat touch screen from FAST>

FAST? - Dash/Data Logger

Will work standalone or with a FAST. When you have a FAST you can select whatever sensor the FAST see's and display it.

I have one on my car, pretty neat.. I figured the cost of a tach, oil pressure, fuel pressure, coolant temp, boost pressure, etc.. and getting all those gauges.. this really cleans up the car. It has 8 inputs for monitoring.. so transducers/senders will be needed.. but thats part of the game.