Data Logger Worth it or Not?

AveryMcLawhorn · 06-16-2021, 08:48 AM

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 · 06-16-2021, 09:51 AM

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 · 06-16-2021, 10:11 AM

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 · 06-16-2021, 10:31 AM

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 · 06-16-2021, 11:25 AM

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 · 06-16-2021, 01:21 PM

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

Clark

Dragsinger · 06-16-2021, 01:31 PM

I agree with the yes answers. Having the basic data allow tuning a car to be very consistent. I like the Racepac system.

GTX JOHN · 06-16-2021, 11:02 PM

My son Jon and I have similar 340 Stock Demon.
He dyno's his engines and has a Data Logger with
a lot of channels.

I do not use either one of those and mostly scratch the
seat of my pants.

Last week at Sac we ran side by side at the same exact
weight and the finish was '.003 in my favor.

Of course = He reminds me I was racing over 30 years in these
cars when he was born.!

CMcAllister · 06-16-2021, 11:07 PM

Buddy of mine got talked into a pretty basic Racepac a few years ago. Has owned and raced the same car for many decades and thought he knew every thing about it (and his driving).

Put it in, took it to the track and made a few test hits. Looked at the data and couldn't believe what he didn't know.

Made some changes and the car is deadly now.

I'm a believer. Add video and you're set.

Larry Hill · 06-17-2021, 07:17 AM

The first thing I learned with my data recorder is that I didn’t drive the car very consistent.

06-16-2021, 08:48 AM	#1
AveryMcLawhorn Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Snow Hill, NC Posts: 49 Likes: 62 Liked 80 Times in 19 Posts	Data Logger Worth it or Not? 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

06-16-2021, 09:51 AM	#2
voltdr Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 705 Likes: 77 Liked 97 Times in 50 Posts	Re: Data Logger Worth it or Not? 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 __________________ Dan Foley SC 4698

06-16-2021, 10:11 AM	#3
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,473 Likes: 881 Liked 858 Times in 234 Posts	Re: Data Logger Worth it or Not? 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 __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

06-16-2021, 10:31 AM	#4
Jeff Stout VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: phoenix Posts: 1,484 Likes: 65 Liked 704 Times in 281 Posts	Re: Data Logger Worth it or Not? 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. Last edited by Jeff Stout; 06-16-2021 at 10:33 AM. Reason: More

06-16-2021, 11:25 AM	#5
Wayne Kerr Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Out to Lunch Posts: 191 Likes: 2 Liked 26 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Data Logger Worth it or Not? 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

06-16-2021, 01:21 PM	#6
cad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 697 Likes: 198 Liked 91 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Data Logger Worth it or Not? Yes- and look into RPM Performance. Simpler, reliable and a higher level of personal support than Racepak. Clark

06-16-2021, 01:31 PM	#7
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Data Logger Worth it or Not? I agree with the yes answers. Having the basic data allow tuning a car to be very consistent. I like the Racepac system. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

06-16-2021, 11:02 PM	#8
GTX JOHN VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder City, Nevada 89005 Posts: 2,720 Likes: 2,770 Liked 2,436 Times in 688 Posts	Re: Data Logger Worth it or Not? My son Jon and I have similar 340 Stock Demon. He dyno's his engines and has a Data Logger with a lot of channels. I do not use either one of those and mostly scratch the seat of my pants. Last week at Sac we ran side by side at the same exact weight and the finish was '.003 in my favor. Of course = He reminds me I was racing over 30 years in these cars when he was born.! __________________ John Irving 741 Stock 741 Super Stock Last edited by GTX JOHN; 06-17-2021 at 08:49 PM.

06-16-2021, 11:07 PM	#9
CMcAllister Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fulton County, PA Posts: 603 Likes: 15 Liked 890 Times in 248 Posts	Re: Data Logger Worth it or Not? Buddy of mine got talked into a pretty basic Racepac a few years ago. Has owned and raced the same car for many decades and thought he knew every thing about it (and his driving). Put it in, took it to the track and made a few test hits. Looked at the data and couldn't believe what he didn't know. Made some changes and the car is deadly now. I'm a believer. Add video and you're set. Last edited by CMcAllister; 06-16-2021 at 11:10 PM.

06-17-2021, 07:17 AM	#10
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,615 Likes: 1,901 Liked 10,655 Times in 2,211 Posts	Re: Data Logger Worth it or Not? The first thing I learned with my data recorder is that I didn’t drive the car very consistent. __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817