Integrating chrome with an in dash display?

[99ishVR-4]

This was originally a pm to Greg E. He wanted to answer it in the forum.


Hey, first of all, I would like to say thank you for everything that you are doing in regards to the Chrome ecu. I fully plan on adding it to my car once my restoration is completed. I would do it now, but after having the car apart for so many years, I really want to keep most of it as similar as possible so I if it doesn't start, I dont have to question whether it is the flash ecu or 1000 other things. After its good and running, I would like to start my install.

However, I do have a few questions for things that I had planned on installing for this build that may later prove to be useless with the flash ecu.

The first thing is the blackstealth lcd boost controller. I love the idea behind it and having it be able to show knock right in my face. But I have seen many people sell their lcdboost controllers after installing the flash ecu. I don't understand why really. What is your take on this? Does it not mesh well with the flash ecu for whatever reason?

I had a carpc installed in the past and I have been debating on whether I should install it again considering how cheap the din all in one touchscreens have got and how much of a PITA the carpc could be at times. It would seem the carpc is more trouble than its worth UNLESS I can integrate it with the flash ecu. The way I had it set up in the past was I had HHH installed on it and was able to log on the carpc while I was driving around but it was very clumsy to say the least. Because I had to run a separate Frontend program for the radio and music, I eventually never used the HHH because I would have to get out of the frontend, which took me back to the windows home screen and then open up HHH. My ideal setup is a something similar to what is in new cars such as the GTR and bmws. Basically where my radio is playing and I have my media up on the screen, but also all of my ecu information up on the screen like knock, oil pressure, boost, fuel pressure, ect. Now, I am not sure how evoscan looks in person considering I have never used it, going on evoscans websites, it seems they sell lcd displays that look exactly like my carpc that show the info I want but I am completely unfamiliar with the products or even if they have anything to do with the evoscan you are using to log with. This is the products screenshots that I saw that looks similar to what I want: Evoscan GPS Navigator New Version Summary . I just have no idea if that will work with the chrome ecu.

I understand that what you are doing has nothing to do with my imaginary software that plays music a tab over from displaying my engine vitals but I was wondering if you were familiar the products that are on evoscans websites or if they even apply. Or is there something that I dont even know about that I could simply install on my carpc and get basically what I am looking for?

If not, thats fine, the next best thing is basically something like the lcdboost controller that plays well with the flash ecu, ie: a lcd screen I could install in my dash somewhere and get a mini view of what you would otherwise need a laptop for. Something that can warn me in real time while I am driving and not something I see when I get home and check the logs. And a little bit more high tech than the dash warning lights I guess.

Sorry if this has nothing to do with what you do, I just don't know who else to ask. I feel like the days of having an individual gauge for for every engine sensor are almost gone and I would love to integrate everything into one media center/real time logging/warning touchscreen display or a mini display that I could install in the stock cluster.

So thanks for any advice or answers, keep up the amazing work.

[TurboSinceBirth]

I love my BlackStealth LCD BC. It has saved my motor more times than I can count and is one of the big factors I could push my stock motor so far. I don't get why people want to sell theirs unless they can't get the boost controller portion working right which I understand. I had some huge difficulties with it not delivering linear boost but I also couldn't get it to datalog worth a crap either so that wasn't helping. I should have the issue solved but won't know until my car is back together. If not I will see what else Antero has I can test.

I know what you're talking about with a device like what the GTRs have where you can view a number of gauges. I looked at the evoscan GPS also. I would also like something similar but am still looking to try and find it. I like the LCD BC but would like to view more or maybe some different things graphically. It's still a great device but definitely not the end all. You can get it too work just fine with a flashed ecu. I have a feeling you would still be looking for some sort of CAN BUS LCD monitor type device though. I'm curious what you come up with.

[Melbowski]

I too have long wanted this to be a reality, and considered running a carpc just to get this functionality. However, like you described, the more I read about the project the more it seemed clunky and unrefined. With double din touchscreeen units becoming ridiculously cheap, I've opted out of building a carpc, but I still like the idea of having gauges displayed. The best idea I've come up with for having the best of both worlds is to run a nice new touchscreen HU, and run a small carpc to load Evoscan's gauge display. Then I'd tap the carpc's video output to the back-up camera input on the HU so I could toggle to it's display via a stock switch I don't use (active aero or active exhaust hooked up to the reverse light input on the HU) overall enabling me to see my gauges and still use the HU. That however just seemed like a big hassle to be switching the display back and forth, and I don't know if it disables music playback while the back-up camera is active... I'd love to see if anyone has come up with a better solution to make this a reality.

The Evoscan GPS Navigator you posted does indeed work with the Evoscan we use to log our cars (it's the same logging program). My problem is mounting the screen somewhere, and that's why the carpc option seemed so much more appealing. If I wanted another screen in my car for gauges, I'd just bring my laptop with me... Evoscan can run gauge setups (not super easy to configure but it can be done) and show you any variable that it can log. It also can use custom alerts/warnings, which would be great on a carpc setup. Really, short of the carpc and Evoscan Navigator option I've never heard of anything that could make what you're looking for possible.

As for the BlackStealth LCD Boost Controller; it's a fantastic product and iirc it works perfectly fine with the flashable ECUs. Honestly imo if you're not going to a flashable ECU there isn't a better Boost Controller on the market! The reason people get rid of it after going to a flash ECU is simple: it's no longer needed. The benefits of the BSLCDBC (boost control, knock count, CEL codes/clear, logging) are basically eliminated once you're running a flashable ECU. The flashable ECU can control boost, and does so by load rather than psi, giving imho a better tuning ability that won't fluctuate with conditions. The flashable ECU can flash the CEL at a programmed knock count to warn you of knock, though the BSLCDBC can lower boost and give you an exact knock count instantly which is an amazing feature (note however that the Evo ECU mods have added this feature to their flashable ECUs, I have no doubt Greg is working to bring this functionality to our platform as well). The flashable ECU offers great logging features via Evoscan which can also check/clear CEL codes. You also can't log via Evoscan and display data on the BSLCDBC at the same time. Basically once you upgrade to a flashable ECU your BSLCDBC becomes a very pretty knock gauge, so most people sell it to someone who can make better use of it.

In any case, hopefully there's something out there that can do what you're looking for, as I'd certainly be interested in it. In the meantime, after all of my research into getting this setup for myself, a carpc was the only viable option I came up with. Perhaps another forum member has a better alternative, and regardless of what you find/choose, be sure to update this thread with what you come up with.

[Greg E]

I don't really understand why people would be selling their LCDBC after going flash. To be honest I haven't heard of anyone doing this.

I've been communicating with Antero (BlackStealth) to keep him appraised of all my future logging parameters. His device will be the ONLY aftermarket device to work with the flash ecu. He's got a fantastic product and I fully support people using it with mine.

As for a car PC, you gotta be careful. You need not only evoscan to log but you also need my 3000GT XML file to log the flash ecu. No other logging program will work with chrome. NONE! The next version of chrome will calculate load, airflow and rpm differently so none of the numbers displayed will make any sense. I have no clue if my XML file will work with the GPS unit. Never tried it nor have I had any interest in it.

The other thing with a car PC is ecu flash. You need this program to read/write to the ecu. Since these chips on the flash ecu are so sensitive to voltage, I wouldn't recommend even attempting to flash with a car PC as that device is already a draw on the car battery.

[99ishVR-4]

I don't really understand why people would be selling their LCDBC after going flash. To be honest I haven't heard of anyone doing this.

I've been communicating with Antero (BlackStealth) to keep him appraised of all my future logging parameters. His device will be the ONLY aftermarket device to work with the flash ecu. He's got a fantastic product and I fully support people using it with mine.

As for a car PC, you gotta be careful. You need not only evoscan to log but you also need my 3000GT XML file to log the flash ecu. No other logging program will work with chrome. NONE! The next version of chrome will calculate load, airflow and rpm differently so none of the numbers displayed will make any sense. I have no clue if my XML file will work with the GPS unit. Never tried it nor have I had any interest in it.

The other thing with a car PC is ecu flash. You need this program to read/write to the ecu. Since these chips on the flash ecu are so sensitive to voltage, I wouldn't recommend even attempting to flash with a car PC as that device is already a draw on the car battery.

Alright Thanks, will be getting the LCD Boost controller and ditching the carpc then.

[green-lantern]

The first thing is the blackstealth lcd boost controller. I love the idea behind it and having it be able to show knock right in my face. But I have seen many people sell their lcdboost controllers after installing the flash ecu. I don't understand why really. What is your take on this? Does it not mesh well with the flash ecu for whatever reason?

I have no idea why somebody would sell a BSLCD, I love mine! I was one of the first to put one in and have upgraded it as he made them better. I used it on a 92 ECU and now a 98SL ECU with chrome. It worked great with both. It's probably the best mod I've ever done to my car.

[ShootMeNow]

Alright Thanks, will be getting the LCD Boost controller and ditching the carpc then.

I was looking to do the same thing, run music, gauges, gps, all from one unit. When I started researching though, temperature became a concern, as well as cost. Looks like around 2 grand for the car pc and screen, but they are only good from 14-120 degrees Fahrenheit. It gets colder than that in NY and sitting in the sun in the summer I don't know how hot it gets inside the car but hot enough to melt the glue on my ezpass sounds beyond the limits. The BSLCD looks great for taking care of the gauges though. Waiting for him to pm me links and pricing.

[ShootMeNow]

The other thing with a car PC is ecu flash. You need this program to read/write to the ecu. Since these chips on the flash ecu are so sensitive to voltage, I wouldn't recommend even attempting to flash with a car PC as that device is already a draw on the car battery.

Is this really an issue? A simple switch to move the pc to back up battery when the car isn't running shouldn't be hard, and something I would probably build in anyway to use the stereo capabilities at tailgates and stuff.

[ShootMeNow]

The reason people get rid of it after going to a flash ECU is simple: it's no longer needed. The benefits of the BSLCDBC (boost control, knock count, CEL codes/clear, logging) are basically eliminated once you're running a flashable ECU. The flashable ECU can control boost, and does so by load rather than psi, giving imho a better tuning ability that won't fluctuate with conditions. The flashable ECU can flash the CEL at a programmed knock count to warn you of knock, though the BSLCDBC can lower boost and give you an exact knock count instantly which is an amazing feature (note however that the Evo ECU mods have added this feature to their flashable ECUs, I have no doubt Greg is working to bring this functionality to our platform as well). The flashable ECU offers great logging features via Evoscan which can also check/clear CEL codes. You also can't log via Evoscan and display data on the BSLCDBC at the same time. Basically once you upgrade to a flashable ECU your BSLCDBC becomes a very pretty knock gauge, so most people sell it to someone who can make better use of it.

I've read your post about 10 times and I'm still confused about not needing the BSLCDBC when you get a flash ECU. I understand the functionality overlap, but not displaying gauge data, which is what this thread is all about. The BSLCDBC is a clean solution for eliminating expensive gauges (Boost gauges alone can cost more than the BSLCDBC, especially if you have to have someone install the gauge inside.) Outside of reinventing what BlackStealth has done and setting up an LCD to display the data realtime from the flash ECU, setting up a car pc which you say is extremely difficult, or having a laptop sitting on the passenger seat, how does the flash ECU replace the gauge functionality of the BSLCDBC?

[CoopKill]

It doesn't yet....