Which Scantool should i get??

[Turbo317]

i don't have a scantool, but im going to get one before my cars runs again, i was wondering if i could get some input on which scantool would be best for a beginner to use for tuning, and which one is best for their price?
TIA,
Bryan

 

[cutt]

scantool

if you have a laptop get dicectscan if not scanmaster.

 

[GrndNatnl]

How easy, or difficult, is a ScanMaster to hook up? Where exactly does it connect to? How is it compared to other scantools?

 

[TheDoughboy]

I have a Scanmaster right now. It is a 3 wire hook up, power, ground and to the ecm. Easy hook up. I will be getting a loptop in the near future and either turbolink or directscan. I really don't want to ride around with a laptop, just want more info for tuning sessions. Then take it out and monitor the info with the sm. Until a problem requires the laptop.

Well I hope I can do this way???

Ron

 

[BoostedBug]

I would not trade my Turbo-Link for anything. Works great and the support that you get from Ken and the guys is second to none.

I just can't not bring myself to going with a program that only runs off of DOS.

 

[Evans Ward]

Originally posted by BoostedBug
I would not trade my Turbo-Link for anything. Works great and the support that you get from Ken and the guys is second to none.

I just can't not bring myself to going with a program that only runs off of DOS.

Which scantool program would run off DOS? I'm ignorant here, so I have to ask the question. DOS based programs do date themselves.

 

[scottyb]

If you race a bunch: Turbolink or directscan
Hardcore race: Directscan
Daily driver who wants to monitor, make good street machine and race occasionally: Scanmaster.

Other variables are:
budget
theft concern (laptop in car or scanmaster in car)
access to laptop
other gauges (knock gauge) visible in line of sight.

Basically, for starters, you prolly want either a scanmaster OR combo of turbolink with knock gauge on A pod.

IMO

BTW, I use a scanmaster at this time and I made a quick disconnect so I can remove it from the car. It took about 30 minutes to install.

 

[RUQWKNF]

I agree with what has been said, and can relate with my own experience. When I had my old white car, all that I used on a daily basis was the Scanmaster, and a boost gauge. The Scanmaster is one of the most valuable tools you can buy for the car. Easy to install, simple to use, and worth it's weight in gold pressed latinum. I used it on a daily basis, and mounted it directly beside my boost gauge in the pillar. It's about the size of a small radar detector, actually, that's what most unknowing people thought it was. I also had a Direct Scan on the car. Whenever I would take it too the track, or for some late night umm how shall I say this.... encounters, the laptop was in the pass seat recording the run. I did scare a few locals when they'd see the laptop tho. By using the Scanmaster to monitor O2 Mv and knock retard as I made the pass, and the Direct Scan to log the run, and view it after the pass, it really made it easy to fine tune the car. For a first time Scan tool, the Scanmaster 2.1 is my #1 choice.
Just my O2's worth.

Patrick

 

[BLACK6PACK]

I think everyone should have a scanmaster even if you have other scan tools. It just nice to always have a tool to monitor things even when your not at the track.

I like direct scan over turbolink for one reason, the amount of data you get. With TS you get one frame per 1.5 seconds, with DS you get 16 frames per second. So when viewing an 12 second run I would rather have 190 frames to look at than 9 frames.

 

[GrndNatnl]

Originally posted by BoostedBug
I just can't not bring myself to going with a program that only runs off of DOS.

Not a big deal.. DOS is stable. Windows isn't. Less chance of it crashing on you while you're blasting down the track.

 

[BoostedBug]

Originally posted by GrndNatnl
Not a big deal.. DOS is stable. Windows isn't. Less chance of it crashing on you while you're blasting down the track.

Now that is funny...LOL

 

[Hyper]

lol, us dos boys have no choise

 

[Weazel]

I have DirectScan and I must say that I love it. VERY fast update rate, I can get 180 frames of data over my 1/4 mile run so I know EXACTLY what's going on at every point. The laptop is something you get used to, all you have to do is hit the spacebar within a few seconds of the start of your run (it'll remember 5-10 seconds back and record it for ya) and voila, concentrate on racing.
TurboLink for Windows looks awesome though. I would've gone with that if my laptop could support it because of the boost-sensing ability. Also it looked like a much easier user interface. But I'm a numbers nerd too, the more numbers the better, that's why I like my DScan.
One thing to know is that DirectScan is somewhat of a PITA to install. Check these sites:

www.turbo-link.com
www.chuengineering.com

The laptop based scantools are invaluable for getting your car tuned the best. I've never used a scanmaster, but I can't imagine it can record data anywhere near as well as the laptop based tools. But as has been said, the ScanMaster is MUCH easier to monitor in everyday situations.

 

[CPAKCP]

Turbo317.

Once you get your first scan tool, be sure to save up for an EGT gauge!! I really like mine - it backs up what I'm seeing on my scanmaster and or DS. You never know when your O2 sensor will crapt out on you!!

Good Luck