Product Review: Zeitronix DashDAQ & ZT2 Combo
Sep 15, 2015, 10:21 AM
#1
Product Review: Zeitronix DashDAQ & ZT2 Combo
I wanted to share this monitoring/logging solution that i currently am using on my Evo VIII. These parts are universal and this information can be applied to your application. I've had these parts installed on my car for the better part of a year now, and i can say they have been completely trouble free and reliable, both at the track and in regular day to day use. I’m really happy with them!
The DashDAQ is a powerful, touch screen LCD display.
They come pre-configured for easy integration into the ZT2 Wideband Datalogging System. It has a ton of features and can be linked to other products in the Zeitronix catalog. The DashDAQ was recently refreshed, and is now call the nDash. Read more about it here:
http://www.zeitronix.com/Products/dashdaq/dashdaq.shtml
If you are not familiar with the ZT2, check it out here:
http://www.zeitronix.com/Products/zt2/zt2.shtml
The ZT2 can support AFR/Lambda, plus RPM, Vacuum, Boost, Exhaust Gas Temperature, Throttle Position, 0-5 volt sensors, Air/Fluid temperature sensors and Oil/Fuel pressure sensors. The DashDAQ has the ability to interface directly with the ECU via the OBDII diagnostic port, so depending on your vehicle and the software on the DashDAQ, you can at minimum see all the generic OBDII data like RPM, fuel trims, coolant temp, timing advance etc etc etc. I’m typically monitoring 6 on the track: Engine Coolant Temp, Oil Temp, Oil Pressure, Boost/Vac, Air Fuel Ratio, and Intake Air Temp. The amount of inputs it has are numerous, and if you wanted to log 20 things, you could.
I chose this particular combo for a few reasons. First, I really wanted concealable gauges. When you live in a place (read: Socal) where law enforcement is looking for any excuse to pop your hood, a bunch of gauges become probable cause. Also, several modified cars later i have come to appreciate the neat and tidy look of a stock interior. Here's where it gets tricky though- concealable gauges that are easily viewed on while fumbling my way around a road course. So gauges in the glovebox, console, or other standard storage areas are out of the question. With the DashDAQ, it’s now you see it, now you don’t. You just unplug it and put it away.
Datalogging capability was another piece of criteria. Mostly to make sure that the car is happy and healthy out on the track, but there are a number of other benefits as well. It gives you the ability to detect issues before they turn into major catastrophes. Monitoring engine vitals is crucial if you are not only tuning and engine, but then subjecting it to high temperatures, loads, and speeds. You can also ensure that you are getting the most out of your setup, and see where you can make improvements. Logs can be saved to an internal memory card and then exported to spreadsheet. So, it can be quite helpful for diagnostics. The DashDAQ also has the capability to read and erase DTCs like a scan tool.
Before i show you some pictures, i also wanted to mention that you can re-skin the graphic interface of the DashDAQ, and it comes pre-loaded with several different skins (see pics above for two examples). I chose this one because it is similar to the factory gauge cluster. It has an auto adjusting backlight, for clear and easy daytime viewing without killing your retinas at night.
I’m currently using the supplied suction cup mount. So far, i haven’t had any issues with it becoming un-stuck at several track events. I am however thinking about a hard mount for it, but haven’t decided which route to go yet. Anyhow, when you are done using it, just unplug the cables, remove the mount and shazam, it’s gone. The cables are coming out through a gap right below the steering column, and are easily stowed securely behind the dash trim.
This is the display I use most commonly:
A couple of pics from the install. Here’s the ZT2:
Wideband O2 installed as close to 12 o’clock to mitigate moisture contamination, and about 25” or so from the turbine outlet so you don’t fry the sensor.
This was the fun part. Making a wiring harness for the Oil Temp, Oil Press and MAP sensors. All of these were wired into the ZT2, which connects to the DashDAQ with a cable i routed up through the dash.
On the Evo VIII, the oil filter housing has two plugs that can be removed, revealing great locations for sensors. Here we have oil temp and pressure. For the pressure sensor, i used AMS’ remote oil pressure sender line. These sensors don’t do so well when mounted directly to the engine, so by mounting it remotely you can expect it to live a longer, happier life.
The DashDAQ is a powerful, touch screen LCD display.
They come pre-configured for easy integration into the ZT2 Wideband Datalogging System. It has a ton of features and can be linked to other products in the Zeitronix catalog. The DashDAQ was recently refreshed, and is now call the nDash. Read more about it here:
http://www.zeitronix.com/Products/dashdaq/dashdaq.shtml
If you are not familiar with the ZT2, check it out here:
http://www.zeitronix.com/Products/zt2/zt2.shtml
The ZT2 can support AFR/Lambda, plus RPM, Vacuum, Boost, Exhaust Gas Temperature, Throttle Position, 0-5 volt sensors, Air/Fluid temperature sensors and Oil/Fuel pressure sensors. The DashDAQ has the ability to interface directly with the ECU via the OBDII diagnostic port, so depending on your vehicle and the software on the DashDAQ, you can at minimum see all the generic OBDII data like RPM, fuel trims, coolant temp, timing advance etc etc etc. I’m typically monitoring 6 on the track: Engine Coolant Temp, Oil Temp, Oil Pressure, Boost/Vac, Air Fuel Ratio, and Intake Air Temp. The amount of inputs it has are numerous, and if you wanted to log 20 things, you could.
I chose this particular combo for a few reasons. First, I really wanted concealable gauges. When you live in a place (read: Socal) where law enforcement is looking for any excuse to pop your hood, a bunch of gauges become probable cause. Also, several modified cars later i have come to appreciate the neat and tidy look of a stock interior. Here's where it gets tricky though- concealable gauges that are easily viewed on while fumbling my way around a road course. So gauges in the glovebox, console, or other standard storage areas are out of the question. With the DashDAQ, it’s now you see it, now you don’t. You just unplug it and put it away.
Datalogging capability was another piece of criteria. Mostly to make sure that the car is happy and healthy out on the track, but there are a number of other benefits as well. It gives you the ability to detect issues before they turn into major catastrophes. Monitoring engine vitals is crucial if you are not only tuning and engine, but then subjecting it to high temperatures, loads, and speeds. You can also ensure that you are getting the most out of your setup, and see where you can make improvements. Logs can be saved to an internal memory card and then exported to spreadsheet. So, it can be quite helpful for diagnostics. The DashDAQ also has the capability to read and erase DTCs like a scan tool.
Before i show you some pictures, i also wanted to mention that you can re-skin the graphic interface of the DashDAQ, and it comes pre-loaded with several different skins (see pics above for two examples). I chose this one because it is similar to the factory gauge cluster. It has an auto adjusting backlight, for clear and easy daytime viewing without killing your retinas at night.
I’m currently using the supplied suction cup mount. So far, i haven’t had any issues with it becoming un-stuck at several track events. I am however thinking about a hard mount for it, but haven’t decided which route to go yet. Anyhow, when you are done using it, just unplug the cables, remove the mount and shazam, it’s gone. The cables are coming out through a gap right below the steering column, and are easily stowed securely behind the dash trim.
This is the display I use most commonly:
A couple of pics from the install. Here’s the ZT2:
Wideband O2 installed as close to 12 o’clock to mitigate moisture contamination, and about 25” or so from the turbine outlet so you don’t fry the sensor.
This was the fun part. Making a wiring harness for the Oil Temp, Oil Press and MAP sensors. All of these were wired into the ZT2, which connects to the DashDAQ with a cable i routed up through the dash.
On the Evo VIII, the oil filter housing has two plugs that can be removed, revealing great locations for sensors. Here we have oil temp and pressure. For the pressure sensor, i used AMS’ remote oil pressure sender line. These sensors don’t do so well when mounted directly to the engine, so by mounting it remotely you can expect it to live a longer, happier life.
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