IMO, if you are really serious you owe it to yourself to invest in a GPS datalogger. (Fair warning, I don't autocross. So if somebody out there knows why autocross would be an exception to almost any other kind of motorsport, speak up.)

 

I'd actually say it's yet more important in autocross since you have so few tries at the course.

Damn, now I'm feeling guilty that I don't have one...

 

I couldn't agree more with that statement, and it is probably as important an investment as the shift beeper. I didn't mention it because it is over an order of magnitude more expensive.

I love my DL1, and couldn't imagine autocrossing without it today. Even in it's out of the box form, the feedback is invaluable. I've added on TPS, steering angle, brake switch and yaw rate to mine, and the value climbs even more. Just this past weekend at the Toledo Pro I had one of those runs where I was in disbelief that it was not faster than a previous run. Without data acq, I would have left frustrated and confused, with it I just left frustrated, but understood where I lost time that countered the gains I knew I made.

Much like auto-x, the learning curve with data acq is steep, and you will be frustrated by it for a while. I'm constantly asked what is the best unit, or if a MaxQ would be good to buy. I've never used the MaxQ myself, but have seen it in action. It is a much simpler tool, and probably easier to use, but it's ultimate potential is much more limited than the DL1. The DL1 is really in a different league than the base MaxQ, both from a price and functionality standpoint. They both have their place.

-Steve

edit for grammar

 

Every time I think about data aquisition, I think I should just concentrate on driving.

 

Driving without data acquisition is like using the "butt dyno" to measure the power output of the car.

 

[QUOTE=Windscreen,Aug 1 2007, 01:50 PM]The DL1 is really in a different league than the base MaxQ, both from a price and functionality standpoint.

 

hmmm so dave uses maxq , no one else?

i used to drive a 240sx and rx7 and they have this speed limit thing that will not let u put the car into 1st unless u're below like 5mph? does this apply to s2k as well cause i felt i have to really slow down a lot to put it into first without forcing it in( i never did try as i dont want to hurt the tranny) ,

that is why when i shift into 2nd i'd never go back to 1st so given a choice i rather have 1st gear with more torque.

 

Yeah, well like most data analysis, it's a combination of knowing what you are looking at, experience, luck, and a certain general ability to spot what's real data out of the hash. It's actually that last one that is the hardest.

 

No such limiter on the S2000. But you don't really want to downshift to first, with the car moving, without rev-matching, IMO. With rev-matching, it can be a very smooth operation.

As someone else said, if your course really is faster staying in first, then I do feel sorry for you. Personally, I'd stay in bed.

 

OK, reviewing the videos from '04... I stand corrected. Steve only downshifted twice on the north course.