Mark - After being on here for a while, I have learned to value the wisdom of many here, but when yourself and a few other FTE veterans speak, I have learned to sit up straight, listen, and take notes ... So... I hope you don't mind me asking... Why do you (at least at this point) like the DashDAQ over the Edge insight, if indeed you do?

Also, missing (IMHO) from the above list is oil pressure, a gauge which I will always be partial to after losing my HPOP right in front of a 502 check point

Do either of these monitor oil pressure? Also, water pressure (yes, now I am being ****), or am I out in space? It seems like it would be a good indicator or something wrong at times. but maybe not?

Lastly, how expensive is it, roughly, to add fuel pressure and EGT to the DashDAQ?

Thanks all, it's good to learn! Mike

 

Mike -

First, I have never said that the DashDAQ is better than the Insight. I will say it is better than the earlier Insight models, but Edge has really added the features. I would have to say that they are both pretty comparable now. So .... going w/ the cheaper of the two would probably be a wise choice. For me, the deciding factor was that I am planning to eventually get the custom tuning to add to the DashDAq to make it into the Phalanx. both can be configured for audible alerts - which I like! The DashDAQ has already helped me on a trip - where it told me my FICM was going bad (DTC). I stopped at a dealership and had it replaced on warranty with only 3 hours lost on the trip!

I will look into the add-on costs for the fuel pressure and the EGTs. I did this awhile back - I will just have to find it.

I agree that seeing the "low pressure" oil pressure and the coolant pressure would be nice. I als like to have all the information I can (but some might call it bling). Personally, I feel very confident in saying that all this information is a HUGE help in troubleshooting (and often times it can help catch a problem before it gets big).

Edit - post up a pic of your GTO (or email me one). That is one of my favorite muscle cars.

 

Thanks Mark - That's correct, you never did say that the DashDAQ was better, and I didn't mean to imply that you did, sorry ... I am always interested in your opinion, and was just fishing for more information.

GTO - needs paint and has not been photographed in many years, but I am threatening to start working on it again once I get my Excursion list caught up.

Thanks Mark! Mike

Edit - Wait, sorry, re-read your last post Mark - Why read LPOP, rather than HPOP? I thought HPOP would really give you more information, even if your LPOP was going out (In which case you would see your high pressure reading going up and down because the LPOP was not feeding it enough oil)

 

I guess I did not word my post well enough! I was not being defensive on the DashDAQ at all - I just wanted to be clear. I certainly did not feel that you were implying anything at all (sorry if it sounded that way). In fact your questions are very important IMO .... Thanks for asking them, they should help people make the decision that is right for them.

 

More info: I really have not delved very deep into this yet, but just talked to a gentleman in tech support at Dashdaq, who said that he thought fuel pressure may be readable with the Dashdaq, but you may have to buy the extra Ford license for another $95.00. He also said that they are investigating the possibility of putting together an add-on package in the next few months which would add an EGT probe to it. Lastly, he said that a number of companies offer peripheral add-ons for the Dashdaq, and in particular Zeitronix.com, which is at Zeitronix DashDAQ XL : Touch Screen Display for the Zt-2 Wideband Engine Datalogging System and OBDII Compatible Vehicles. Like I said, I really have not done any deeper research than this, but hope it is helpful. Mike

 

I have the pre-CTS version or the basic Insight model. I bought it back in May right before Edge released the CTS version. In my opinion Edge rushed the CTS version to market before it was really ready. It's my understanding Edge is issuing updates for the CTS that expands its capability. I recommend you keep looking for updates via the Edge supplied software.

 

Mark's response was spot on as usual. IMO, the parameters you want to keep a close eye on are EGT, ECT, EOT, ECT vs EOT spread, boost, and fuel pressure. Of these, excessive boost will directly cause a HG problem along with a possible intercooler boot failure or intercooler failure (rare). Excessive ECT vs EOT spread will allow the EGR cooler to overheat and eventually fail. This can also take HGs out as well. Also keep an eye on your coolant expansion tank. If you start seeing a white chalky residue around the cap, it could be a sign of a growing HG issue or be as simple as a defective cap.

I know I haven't directly answered your question but there's no one size fits all answer to the HG question. All the parameters are important and interplay to some degree.

 

The Insight monitors PIDs through the OBDII interface utilizing the existing sensors in the engine/drivetrain. As a result, it doesn't monitor oil pressure because the sensor on the engine is an on/off type of sensor vice a true pressure reading sensor. To get actual oil pressure requires installation of a true pressure reading sensor that feeds to an oil pressure gauge. It also doesn't monitor water pressure as I'm not sure there is such a sensor on the engine.

I'm not fully up to speed on the dashdaq but I believe it's in the same boat as far as these two parameters.

 

Yes, that is exactly correct, it monitors in the same way. So to sum up, neither of these will monitor oil pressure, water pressure, EGT, but may read fuel pressure, at least in the case of the DashDAQ, if you buy the extra Ford license, although this one I am not absolutely sure about .... right??? And can either of these be made to read these if you add the correct sensors to the vehicle, is there a way to connect extra sensors up to them if you don't mind spending the money?

 

They will both monitor the "high pressure" oil pressure. The Ford license doesn't help on fuel pressure - Ford did not install a sensor for it in our engines. I am pretty sure that both have systems to add-on the needed sensors so that they will display on the unit itself (I know the DD does).

 

Hmmmm.... I wasn't aware I could monitor High Pressure oil pressure with my Insight. However, I'm still playing with it. I need to do some digging as this would be a good parameter to monitor.


The Insight can monitor EGT with an optional EGT probe. It plugs right into the wiring harness for the Insight monitor. I just installed mine the past weekend and it was rather easy. As far as displaying fuel pressure or other parameters through add-on sensors, I think EGT is it. To get the other parameters will require additional gauges. I'm currently looking into a column mount gauge to monitor my fuel pressure.

 

I may be mistaken on the Insight monitoring the HPO pressure, but it is a Ford parameter and I had been told that it would monitor anything Ford specific from the OBDII port. I certainly could be the mistaken one here! The DD reports it as ICP in MPa.

As far as fuel pressure goes, the "Edge Accessory System", is targeted at adding on much more than the EGT, including fuel pressure - it just may not do it yet. As you mentioned, they seem to be working on adding capability as we speak.

I watch the ICP regularly. I am at 3.9 MPA or about 560 psig on start-up. If it goes much lower, I can see some HPO leak repair in my future.

 

CTS is rumored to be able to do the add-on Fuel PSI in the coming months. I've only heard that from one source though, so I don't know the validity of it or if it's just wishful thinking. I would imagine that the OBD-II monitors would have to start doing that in order to keep up with everyone.