Scanmaster or will Powerlogger/Computer do it all

[whtv6turbo]

I almost have his car "baselined". It is all stock but will be adding bolt on's to the stock 100k motor. Almost done with "spring cleaning" I hope to run in the low 13 second range soon. If I have read correctly the powerlogger has many more features faster refresh rate, but no readout without computer. Can I just install powerlogger with laptop and have everything I need or do I still need to purchase scanmaster? Is there anything the scanmaster does that the powerlogger/computer will not?

 

[TurboTnZ06]

You don't need a scanmaster, but it is easier to have all the time vs a laptop in the car all the time. The scanmaster lets you see updates and more sensors (boost, map, spark, pulsewidth etc) and faster refresh rate. Plus with a programmable TurboTweak chip you can program it without needing the laptop and powerlogger plugged in. I use the scanmaster to see if there was knock on the recall button whenever I go WOT. The powerlogger is good for track/tuning/troubleshooting where you need lots of info to pour over to make a decision on the next change.

 

[696]

Scanmaster 1st: Easy to use by itself, put in line of sight and go (mainly to watch O2's and Knock) all in one. Powerlogger 2nd: "Bumps" the Scanmaster rate up (Scanmaster 2.2), logs more info, can be used to adjust Turbo Tweak chip BUT you have to have a computer in car. Once the Powerlogger is installed, even w/o the computer in the car the refresh rate is always faster. I did them in that order then added a wideband.

 

[ryan319]

i think that the powerlogger is sufficient, and probably better when its coupled with a wideband. i sold my scanmaster because i was tired of looking at it all the time. now i use the logger/laptop to datalog/tune, once the tune is right i take the laptop out. i don't think it's necessary to constantly look at the scanmaster unless the car is not running right, in that case just put a laptop on it and datalog. you should have at least a knock gauge if you're not using a scanmaster so you can see when you have knock.

 

["Turbo-T"]

With the Scanmaster/powerlogger combo, provided you also buy a wideband, you will be able to monitor your AFR next to the KR instead of the 02 mv. IMO worth it.

 

[Rich Gio]

Scanmaster 1st: Easy to use by itself, put in line of sight and go (mainly to watch O2's and Knock) all in one. Powerlogger 2nd: "Bumps" the Scanmaster rate up (Scanmaster 2.2), logs more info, can be used to adjust Turbo Tweak chip BUT you have to have a computer in car. Once the Powerlogger is installed, even w/o the computer in the car the refresh rate is always faster. I did them in that order then added a wideband.

Yeah! What he said. Powerlogger is great to record data and analyze AFTER a run at the track. Scanmaster works best up in your face to see KR. I'd hate to try and read data off my laptop while I was going down the track!