Data Recorder and Playback tach

[novanicks]

This is going to seem like a silly question to the more experienced guys here. I have never run a data recorder or playback tach, but I think I might be missing out on the benefits. Would someone help me understand how these help me run more consistently. Take the driveline sensor for example: Does this sensor help me predict my ET or just tell me if there is tire spin. Additionally, many of these recorders have 14 inputs or more. Where do you put these?

Thanks in advance.

[Jeff Beckman]

You are right about it not helping you dial, but yes it will tell you if you spin the tires, or if your convertor is going away, things of that nature. Its all data, just that. The multiple inputs are for say a 14 channel, 8 exhaust sensors, oil pressure, fule presure, drive shaft senser, water temp, oil temp, trans temp, would be typical. Some folks watch alot more than that, throttle position, shock travel, g force, both forward and lateral, negative, wheel speed, car reaction verses driver reaction, shift time, rpm, not everything applies to drag racing or is legal in all forms of racing. But the idea is, you can assign a value to just about anything.

[Bill Baer]

Nova Nick

The drive shaft RPM is valuable to tell if and when you spun the tires including the inital hit. the Motor RPM will indicate how hard you hit the converter this will vary with the air quality also it will tell if the stop is working properly as you can see what value it drops to before is starts accelerating and it will tell you if your hit the shift point and finally if you will be able to see the motor temperature at launch which if kept consistent will help keep the car more consistent.
These are the first three things I look at I also check voltage, fuel pressure, trans temperature ,which usually requires some attention( i.e cooling down), after two or three hot laps.
I also check all of these on warm up to makes sure I have nothing amiss.

Billy Baer
S/C3391