OBD-II Scanner
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Edwardsville Illinois
OBD-II Scanner
I am looking to purchase an OBD-II scanner. I would appreciate an recommendations or suggestions regarding which brand scanner would be the best (ease of use, understandable, etc.) to use with a 1996 LT1.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,064
Likes: 1,166
From: N. Alabama
Re: OBD-II Scanner (CE King)
My autoxray6000 will take live frame snapshots at only half second intervals on the quickest setting. For serious tuning, that is not fast enough. I should have gotten EFI or something similar to get better dynamic feedback. Otherwise, it is a great unit for troubleshooting my other vehicles.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,816
Likes: 2
From: Austin, TX
Re: OBD-II Scanner (CE King)
I'm using Autotap. With their new version of software, it works pretty well. Speed of data depends on how many parameters you're logging. You can log to a text file, import to Excel or something for analysis. There's some built-in graphing capabilities also. Overall I've been happy with it.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 4,623
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Re: OBD-II Scanner (CE King)
Check out Ease Scan tool. It's PC based and will collect data up to the limit of your hard drive space! (Last week I could "only" collect 384 hours worth!) They get their code direct from GM. You can set up whatever parameter sets you want and view one or all of them. You can run 6 graphs at once, and really see what's going on in relationship to other parameters.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 760
Likes: 1
From: Greenwich, CT
Re: OBD-II Scanner (CE King)
OBD II is an open-source data protocol, mandated by the Feds. That means that ALL of the software
scanners are going to retrieve exactly the same information (unless you buy a GM-specific shop
maintenace computer & can access the GM corporate site).
There is a useful package here, if you already have a laptop of your own: http://www.obd-2.com/
When I bought mine it included the plug, data interface chip, and GUI for ~$125.
Note that while the data protocol is standard for all OBD II cars, GM, Ford, and Chrysler each came up
with a unique output signal, so one tool wouldn't be able to read all 3 brands. Go figure...
