Looking at the AutoXray Scanner
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Windham CT
Looking at the AutoXray Scanner
I'd be interested if any of you have used this scanner and your thoughts about it? I have a 88 and 92 Vette and want it for keeping them tunned right. I've been going to Advanced auto and letting them get the codes but this offers or appears to offer more information.
I'd sure like to hear from you guys what you prefer and results. I guess my second question would be, is there any such thing as a used one as guys move up form the OBDI cars to the OBDII series......
Thanks in advance for your input.
George and Andy AKA Swampy
I'd sure like to hear from you guys what you prefer and results. I guess my second question would be, is there any such thing as a used one as guys move up form the OBDI cars to the OBDII series......
Thanks in advance for your input.
George and Andy AKA Swampy
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 277
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by Swampy
I'd be interested if any of you have used this scanner and your thoughts about it? I have a 88 and 92 Vette and want it for keeping them tunned right. I've been going to Advanced auto and letting them get the codes but this offers or appears to offer more information.
I'd sure like to hear from you guys what you prefer and results. I guess my second question would be, is there any such thing as a used one as guys move up form the OBDI cars to the OBDII series......
Thanks in advance for your input.
George and Andy AKA Swampy
I'd sure like to hear from you guys what you prefer and results. I guess my second question would be, is there any such thing as a used one as guys move up form the OBDI cars to the OBDII series......
Thanks in advance for your input.
George and Andy AKA Swampy
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,078
Likes: 27
From: Northeast South Dakota
I have the Autotap unit for my OBDII scanner and it works great. I got the unit, and software for all generic and GM specific OBDII for $300. It's just another one you could look at. I really like mine. When did the Corvettes first go OBDII??????
-Justin
-Justin
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Windham CT
I was told they went OBD II in
1995 but I've heard also that it only had the OBD II pin conector and that it was really 96 that it was OBD II. I really am not sure. My 92 is OBD I as is my sons 88 so that will serve us well. I just came up from the older C-3 vettes and I was used to carbs, no computers. At age 62 still like stuff in the KISS mode.... But I sure like the way the C-4's handle. Like a little Formular one in my mind. Tnx for reply.
Swampy
Swampy
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 760
Likes: 1
From: Greenwich, CT
FWIW-
I don't have AutoXray myself, but a fellow I know was trying to use one to tune a '92. He found it only takes ~1 data point / sec
from the ECM. Perhaps there are different models, but that is all he could record with what he has.
One data point / sec is inadequate for any meaningful readings from the engine. If you are interested in seriously monitoring
engine parameters it requires a cheap laptop computer and some real ALDL software. A good package is a cable and TTS DataMaster
from this guy: http://www.akmcables.com/ The '88 and '92 use different programs, but Andy's prices are pretty reasonable.
DataMaster will get ~7 fremes of data / sec - that is about the limit of the GM commo chip. It makes a big difference in looking
at engine transients. The DM output is also in common usage for tuning, so if you want to play around with engine mods later it is
useful for exchanging data with other people.
Hope that helps.
I don't have AutoXray myself, but a fellow I know was trying to use one to tune a '92. He found it only takes ~1 data point / sec
from the ECM. Perhaps there are different models, but that is all he could record with what he has.
One data point / sec is inadequate for any meaningful readings from the engine. If you are interested in seriously monitoring
engine parameters it requires a cheap laptop computer and some real ALDL software. A good package is a cable and TTS DataMaster
from this guy: http://www.akmcables.com/ The '88 and '92 use different programs, but Andy's prices are pretty reasonable.
DataMaster will get ~7 fremes of data / sec - that is about the limit of the GM commo chip. It makes a big difference in looking
at engine transients. The DM output is also in common usage for tuning, so if you want to play around with engine mods later it is
useful for exchanging data with other people.
Hope that helps.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 760
Likes: 1
From: Greenwich, CT
FWIW-
I don't have AutoXray myself, but a fellow I know was trying to use one to tune a '92. He found it only takes ~1 data point / sec
from the ECM. Perhaps there are different models, but that is all he could record with what he has.
One data point / sec is inadequate for any meaningful readings from the engine. If you are interested in seriously monitoring
engine parameters it requires a cheap laptop computer and some real ALDL software. A good package is a cable and TTS DataMaster
from this guy: http://www.akmcables.com/ The '88 and '92 use different programs, but Andy's prices are pretty reasonable.
DataMaster will get ~7 frames of data / sec - that is about the limit of the GM commo chip. It makes a big difference in looking
at engine transients. The DM output is also in common usage for tuning, so if you want to play around with engine mods later it is
useful for exchanging data with other people.
Hope that helps.
I don't have AutoXray myself, but a fellow I know was trying to use one to tune a '92. He found it only takes ~1 data point / sec
from the ECM. Perhaps there are different models, but that is all he could record with what he has.
One data point / sec is inadequate for any meaningful readings from the engine. If you are interested in seriously monitoring
engine parameters it requires a cheap laptop computer and some real ALDL software. A good package is a cable and TTS DataMaster
from this guy: http://www.akmcables.com/ The '88 and '92 use different programs, but Andy's prices are pretty reasonable.
DataMaster will get ~7 frames of data / sec - that is about the limit of the GM commo chip. It makes a big difference in looking
at engine transients. The DM output is also in common usage for tuning, so if you want to play around with engine mods later it is
useful for exchanging data with other people.
Hope that helps.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,064
Likes: 1,166
From: N. Alabama
I have the autoxray 6000. One can download up to 20 parameters during driving cycles at a rate of one frame per half second to five seconds. Unfortunately, I find all of the parameters don't update together. Sometimes one particular item may take 4 frames (at half second interval) to catch up to some of the others. I find it useless for any meaningful scanning for tuning purposes. On the other hand, it is fine for trouble shooting and getting a rough idea of real time information. The above opinion is based on limited knowledge since this is the first scanner that I have owned.
Personally, I am looking for a laptop program to do serious tuning.
Personally, I am looking for a laptop program to do serious tuning.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Windham CT
Laptop or scanner....
After reading this site and others I'm inclined to agree. I can get the codes no problem off the dash but I was looking for more that just that.
My son is really into the electronics part of them and is coming up to speed with the cars fast. The laptop and software seem to be the way to go and I have the laptop so might as well get the most bang for the buck. I had Autozone pull my codes with a scanner and I was not really impressed and the one at Advanced auto appeared to be broken.
Both times they both used the GM key in the socket to get the flashing codes off dash. Thats fine but I'd really like to see electronicly see whats going on in the engine....... Tnx for reply to all of you.......
Swampy and Andy
My son is really into the electronics part of them and is coming up to speed with the cars fast. The laptop and software seem to be the way to go and I have the laptop so might as well get the most bang for the buck. I had Autozone pull my codes with a scanner and I was not really impressed and the one at Advanced auto appeared to be broken.
Both times they both used the GM key in the socket to get the flashing codes off dash. Thats fine but I'd really like to see electronicly see whats going on in the engine....... Tnx for reply to all of you.......
Swampy and Andy
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Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Originally Posted by Swampy
After reading this site and others I'm inclined to agree. I can get the codes no problem off the dash but I was looking for more that just that.
My son is really into the electronics part of them and is coming up to speed with the cars fast. The laptop and software seem to be the way to go and I have the laptop so might as well get the most bang for the buck. I had Autozone pull my codes with a scanner and I was not really impressed and the one at Advanced auto appeared to be broken.
Both times they both used the GM key in the socket to get the flashing codes off dash. Thats fine but I'd really like to see electronicly see whats going on in the engine....... Tnx for reply to all of you.......
Swampy and Andy
My son is really into the electronics part of them and is coming up to speed with the cars fast. The laptop and software seem to be the way to go and I have the laptop so might as well get the most bang for the buck. I had Autozone pull my codes with a scanner and I was not really impressed and the one at Advanced auto appeared to be broken.
Both times they both used the GM key in the socket to get the flashing codes off dash. Thats fine but I'd really like to see electronicly see whats going on in the engine....... Tnx for reply to all of you.......
Swampy and Andy
