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Very cool. Next step should be to have it network enabled so you can store in the cloud the locations of sound check stations at various tracks (Lime Rock, NCM, the ring, etc.). Go to any track and have it just work
Very cool. Next step should be to have it network enabled so you can store in the cloud the locations of sound check stations at various tracks (Lime Rock, NCM, the ring, etc.). Go to any track and have it just work
That's a cool idea!! There is a version of arduino with a wifi chip ... Are there a lot of tracks with sound check stations like laguna?
Hey, it'll boot Windows Embedded too! Which is actually super-cool if you use Unity (for graphics and so on) but obviously for this task, Raspbian is the way to go! I'm actually doing all my work in the OSX console right now (Unix sockets, pipes, etc) so I imagine that's pretty darned close to Linux?
Cool project idea! I had the thought (which is the EASY part, to be sure) back when people were first having trouble there, but always wondered if someone could hack the BCM somehow to do it internally, but this works great for the base car it seems!
I bet you could also do this on a single chip (ESP32) except for the GPS part!
I recently had a knee injury with surgery scheduled for this week. To distract myself and do something useful at the same time I started building a GPS based exhaust flap controller for the C7 Corvette and Grandsport for tracks that check sound.
This is based on a design by Mech33 on the rennlist forum for the Porsche GT cars.
I recently finished it and thought I'd make a post of out it:
Mostly I made this so I can stay flat open through Turn 5 to Turn 6, past the sound station at Laguna Seca with no need to upshift to 4 and not have to worry about blowing sound!
Summary
- Uses GPS to calculate when the car is within 80 feet of the Laguna Seca Turn 5 Sound station
- Automatically closes flaps when the above condition is met
- Re-opens flaps when past the sound station.
- Optionally - Keeps flaps closed for the first 30 seconds of bootup - Basically keeps my neighbors happy when I fire up the car first thing in the morning
- I've also programmed it such that it will close flaps anytime it is within 80 feet of my house
- Can be configured for any track (Not limited to Laguna Seca)
IMPORTANT NOTE - Only works properly for C7 Stingray and Grand sport models. Does not work on the Z06 or ZR1. For the Stingray/GS, the car keeps the flaps closed past ~3800 rpms in stealth mode (which my device relies on). On the Z06/ZR1, even in stealth mode, the car opens the exhaust flaps when going past ~3800 rpms... unfortunately.
Technical Details
- Mainboard - Arduino Uno Microcontroller board
- Relay - Seeed Arduino Relay Shield V2.0
- GPS - Adafruit Ultimate GPS Logger Shield with external GPS Antenna
- Packaging - Alekshop Provided Custom Case!
- Software - Code heavily modified and updated - based on Mech33's code for the Porsche GT cars
- Quick disconnect for flap relay and GPS external antenna
Credits
- Much thanks to Mech33.for the original idea on rennlist
- Thanks to Aleks and Alekshop for providing me with a custom case
If anyone else is interested, I'm happy to build a few more.
Finished Device:
Final prototype for testing:
Modified a tap-a-fuse and tapped into Fuse 83 to control the flaps via my controller:
Code:
OMG I want / need one!!! I have heard of people doing this at Laguna. My only concern is that the warranty will go bye bye. hhhmmmm
Interesting! Which GPS shield are you using? What's the accuracy (like 5 inches or 5 feet or 5 yards) and at what Hz?
Adafruit Ultimate GPS Logger Shield at 10Hz. I'll have to look up the accuracy numbers but its pretty high and is proven to work well for this scenario.
I never could understand why people would buy a house next to a race track then complain about noise. It would be like moving to the desert and crying there is no
water! duh!!
For the same reason people will buy a home next to an airport and then complain about the noise or low flying aircraft. They always think it is easier to move the track/airport. It is always ALL ABOUT THEM when they want the "offender" shut down!
That's a cool idea!! There is a version of arduino with a wifi chip ... Are there a lot of tracks with sound check stations like laguna?
Just about every track has a sound station. Sears pt. is on the right side by start/finish, thunderhill is on the left side by S/F. But Laguna is the worst for sound as its near the ocean and weather conditions can greatly affect the readings. In addition, there is a hill opposite the sound station that reflects the sound back towards the meter. Even 103 Db for race weekends can be tough, given the weather. Based on the time of day the sound limit changes at Laguna.
Can this control the flaps of NPP mufflers that were not factory installed, where the NPP exhaust was installed in place of the standard non-NPP exhaust??
Can this control the flaps of NPP mufflers that were not factory installed, where the NPP exhaust was installed in place of the standard non-NPP exhaust??
.
Thank you!
I don't know to be honest. If the flaps are still controlled via the same fuse in the front engine bay then yes it will work.
Great work. I track my Z06 at Laguna, so I had to go the mechanical route. I would really appreciate a version for a Z06 and willing to BUY one from you to kickstart the Z06 version.
12-29-2018, 08:00 AM
