No Blinders

[Doug Hoven]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

When are we going to do something about the "data loggers can't be hooked to the ignition box" rule? Or how about the "no driveshaft sensors" rule?

One problem I foresee with trying to enforce this, is what are you going to do with all of the EFI guys that use their ECU to control their MSD ignition. Specifically, one of the more, relatively speaking, "dumb" MSD boxes such as a 6al, 7al-1,2,etc. I understand the things that can be done if someone were to be using a GRID, but these other boxes have no internal hardware of their own to do any sort of "witchcraft" during a run. It would be relatively straight forward to police datalogging with a racepak. If the sd card isn't in it, and no computer is plugged in to the COM port, no data is able to be recorded. EFI however stores data logs within the ECU, so that could be a tricky one.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Doug Hoven

One problem I foresee with trying to enforce this, is what are you going to do with all of the EFI guys that use their ECU to control their MSD ignition. Specifically, one of the more, relatively speaking, "dumb" MSD boxes such as a 6al, 7al-1,2,etc. I understand the things that can be done if someone were to be using a GRID, but these other boxes have no internal hardware of their own to do any sort of "witchcraft" during a run. It would be relatively straight forward to police datalogging with a racepak. If the sd card isn't in it, and no computer is plugged in to the COM port, no data is able to be recorded. EFI however stores data logs within the ECU, so that could be a tricky one.

All well and good BUT, NHRA DOES differentiate and allow for cars using an OEM ECU.

[Doug Hoven]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

All well and good BUT, NHRA DOES differentiate and allow for cars using an OEM ECU.

If it was 1999, I would definitely consider running the factory ECU in a 5.0 mustang or a 3rd and 4th gen firebird, but you pretty much need a time machine in order to get the software and a computer that will run the software. And those early handheld programmers have mostly faded away into the pages of history. The factory stock cars are a tough one too. I don't know about all of the years, but the Cobra Jet mustangs were using essentially a tuned up street mustang ECU. I believe the COPOs and Drag Packs use aftermarket ECUs from the factory, so that sort of makes the OEM ECU rule a moot point in a way for them.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Doug Hoven

If it was 1999, I would definitely consider running the factory ECU in a 5.0 mustang or a 3rd and 4th gen firebird, but you pretty much need a time machine in order to get the software and a computer that will run the software. And those early handheld programmers have mostly faded away into the pages of history. The factory stock cars are a tough one too. I don't know about all of the years, but the Cobra Jet mustangs were using essentially a tuned up street mustang ECU. I believe the COPOs and Drag Packs use aftermarket ECUs from the factory, so that sort of makes the OEM ECU rule a moot point in a way for them.

No, it doesn't. IF you decide to take on the burden of using the OEM ECU then you should be able to reap the benefits (if any) of the OEM ECU. The "factory" cars are a different story as is everything about those cars.