Hi I recently got my Predator tuner, and found Ford communicates the knock sensor in volts instead of degrees of timing retard. I did some research and downloaded FordPidDataViewer, or CMR_DAT. When I attempt to start streaming I get a message saying select pids in tree view..the version I'm using is 2.3, is this the most current? I would like to use that program because I think it would convert the knock sensor voltage reading to degrees of timing, is this correct? The Predator owner's manual is laughable, and when I call customer service they love to say "check the website"..do the other programmers also have useless instructions????????

 

You're correct about the knock sensors transmitting voltage, but I don't know that this value equates to timing retard. I suspect a voltage indicating "knock" simply tells the PCM to retard timing, which it does, aggressively, according to Bill Cohron at PHP. There is then a Spark Advance PID which you could also monitor to see the effect.

However, your questions regarding data streaming and interpretation are specific to the Diablo product and I don't know anything about it. Diablo Mike used to post here a lot and might have some answers for you, if you were to PM him.

- Jack

 

Hi.

Well of course the knock sensors just output a voltage - it's up to the PCM and the calibration running to apply the translation from that voltage to a specific advance value at any given moment, for that specific truck and the exact operting conditions at the time.

As suggested - and this is for learning purposes only - select and log knock sensor voltage, IAT, Load and advance. You'll start to see the correlation. It's not complete without A/F's and some other Pid's but it'a a start.

As for what other tuners can do - and the amount of support for end-user tuning provided - have a look here: http://www.sctflash.com/support/inde...8&pcid=0&nav=0

Specifically - Run the LiveLink demo - you'll be amazed. And this is an OLD version - the new one is even better. It shows the PID tree in detail.

I'm not sure if a Predator prvides passthrough to a laptop or not - if not and you can only log on the device, rmember that there are severe memory limitations so you can only choose a few PID's and capture for a short period of time. I believe this applies to Edge products as well. With SCT, using a laptop/passthrough connection, you can basically select 15+ PID's DMR's, and just drive around - only limit is the drive capacity on the laptop.

Are you perhaps starting to wonder if you picked the right programmer?

For the End-user, SCT has a lock on ease of use, number of tuning dealers, toolset, and support.

MY advice - sell the Diablo and buy an SCT X3 custom tuned by VMP.

Good luck.

MGD

 

Well I have wondered if I picked the right one..I was thinking of buying the Edge because I like how it tells gas mileage, but I decided on the Predator because it is custom tunable and the price is reasonable. DiabloSport has their own pc passthrough program, but I haven't figured out how to make it work. When I click on start streaming, I get a message saying select pids in tree view, and there aren't any. Maybe I don't have the current version. I bought a pc kit to go with the tuner, and it came with installation on a micro disk..seriously, a micro disk? How many people have a micro disk player? Not cool DiabloSport.

 

Micro disk as in a miniature CD? They can be read in a standard CD-Rom drive as long as the tray is horizontal.

 

Lol I was wondering about that, I didn't want to put it in there and have it get stuck..I'll give it a try.