sorry i'm completely new to this. I've looked at i think turbolink's website about what these scan tools do, but it really didnt' tell me much. from what i understand its basically a full set of about every gauge you could need all fed into a laptop, is that right? for the $250 that it costs, plus the price of a lap top that can be used for other things it seens like thats the only way to go, theres no sence in paying almost that for just a tach, plus add temp gauges and your well over $250. because of that I'm guessing that its not a replacement for gauges, or is it? do they plug into the computer or does it require special wireing? this sounds like it might be something worth while.
whats all this, i'm new
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You can't really equate the scan tool to a set of gauges. Since it runs on a laptop you really won't be able to keep an eye on things while driving.....plus important info like oil pressure is not available on the computer's ALDL port.
The scan tool hooks up to the ALDL (Assembly Line Data Link) port under the dash on the driver's side...near the center console.
It allows you to see the inputs (from sensors) and outputs from the cars' computer. Nothing really special on the wiring....no cutting of wires etc., just a cable and harness going from your laptop to the ALDL port.
Another product called DirectScan is a little more complicated to hook-up. It also runs on a laptop, but doesn't use the ALDL data port. It hooks up between the car's wiring harness and the car's computer....basically intercepting all the signal wires. The main advantage of DS is that it can record data at a MUCH faster rate than TurboLink. But it can be a little trickier getting it to work since it is more complicated.
The biggest advantage with either TL or DS are that they STORE the data. With TurboLink you hit the space bar on your laptop and it starts recording everything on the ALDL data stream.
At the track, you can record your runs....keep them on the laptop for reference...makes it easier to keep track of which tuning changes are helping and which ones are slowing you down.
I use two "scan tools". One is TurboLink like you mentioned. The other is in the car,sitting on the dash....called a Scanmaster. It's about the size of a large radar detector. It allows me to keep track of things while I'm driving around on the street. TurboLink is mostly for the track....it has a lot more features than the Scanmaster, but I don't always want a laptop sitting in the passenger seat.
John
The scan tool hooks up to the ALDL (Assembly Line Data Link) port under the dash on the driver's side...near the center console.
It allows you to see the inputs (from sensors) and outputs from the cars' computer. Nothing really special on the wiring....no cutting of wires etc., just a cable and harness going from your laptop to the ALDL port.
Another product called DirectScan is a little more complicated to hook-up. It also runs on a laptop, but doesn't use the ALDL data port. It hooks up between the car's wiring harness and the car's computer....basically intercepting all the signal wires. The main advantage of DS is that it can record data at a MUCH faster rate than TurboLink. But it can be a little trickier getting it to work since it is more complicated.
The biggest advantage with either TL or DS are that they STORE the data. With TurboLink you hit the space bar on your laptop and it starts recording everything on the ALDL data stream.
At the track, you can record your runs....keep them on the laptop for reference...makes it easier to keep track of which tuning changes are helping and which ones are slowing you down.
I use two "scan tools". One is TurboLink like you mentioned. The other is in the car,sitting on the dash....called a Scanmaster. It's about the size of a large radar detector. It allows me to keep track of things while I'm driving around on the street. TurboLink is mostly for the track....it has a lot more features than the Scanmaster, but I don't always want a laptop sitting in the passenger seat.
John
Actually DirectScan is more for the track. Data is only delivered to the ALDL port every 1.6 seconds. So, TurboLink can only show a frame of data every 1.6 seconds. Not a limit of TurboLink, mind you, but a limit of the data being streamed to the ALDL port by the ECM.
DirectScan plugs directly into the ECM of the car allowing it to pull data at up to 18 frames per second. That's 18 snapshots of your sensor readings every second.
Personally I believe DirectScan is more suited for the track because of it's high data rate. Once you start going fast enough down the track, TurboLink just doesn't show data quickly enough to get a good idea of how the car is running for the 12secs you are blasting down the track.
I have both, and I usually use TurboLink to diagnose problems, and DirectScan to record at the track.
TurboLink also has a nice GUI interface [not that I've used it cuz I'm too cheap a$$ed to upgrade, sorry Ken
] and provides alot of troubleshooting help that DirectScan does not. TUrboLink also work on a few others vehicles other than TurboRegals/TTA's.
What it comes down to is what you want. When I first got my car I bought TurboLink cuz to be honest I wouldn't have know what in the heck to do with DirectScan. After a few years and learning a WHOLE lot about these cars and the way they work I started using DirectScan.
I don't know if I cleared anything up there, but I hope that helps!
DirectScan plugs directly into the ECM of the car allowing it to pull data at up to 18 frames per second. That's 18 snapshots of your sensor readings every second.
Personally I believe DirectScan is more suited for the track because of it's high data rate. Once you start going fast enough down the track, TurboLink just doesn't show data quickly enough to get a good idea of how the car is running for the 12secs you are blasting down the track.
I have both, and I usually use TurboLink to diagnose problems, and DirectScan to record at the track.
TurboLink also has a nice GUI interface [not that I've used it cuz I'm too cheap a$$ed to upgrade, sorry Ken
] and provides alot of troubleshooting help that DirectScan does not. TUrboLink also work on a few others vehicles other than TurboRegals/TTA's.What it comes down to is what you want. When I first got my car I bought TurboLink cuz to be honest I wouldn't have know what in the heck to do with DirectScan. After a few years and learning a WHOLE lot about these cars and the way they work I started using DirectScan.
I don't know if I cleared anything up there, but I hope that helps!
