Getting Dashhawk - What to monitor?

[TheRealDefman]

Got a good deal on a used one. What should I be regularly monitoring on a 2008.5 with the only current mod being an Injen CAI?

[AutoEuphoria]

Actual AFR and boost definitely.

Set an alert for knock retard >3.0 (no real need to monitor it, but have that alert programmed and active)

Only other thing I usually monitor is boost temperature...

Oil pressure is a good thing to keep an eye on...you might just want to set an alert for that, too. I'm not sure what a good value would be, though.

[AutoXRacer]

Our cars don't have an oil pressure sensor!!!!

Typical things to monitor:
-Vacuum/Boost
-Actual AFR
-Fuel Pressure
-Engine Coolant Temp
-Boosted Air Temp
-Air Intake Temp

On another screen, monitor your STFT and LTFT (short and long term fuel trims).

Also, set your Knock Retard alert/warning to go off at anything above 2.0; some people set it as low at 1.0. Realistically, you don't want anything over 1.0. But this car is pretty bad with knock...its just a good idea to keep an eye on it and let off the gas when you see it flash.

[AutoEuphoria]

Sorry, was thinking fuel pressure (d'oh!)

[Lee456]

This is probably a stupid question but I'm about to buy a Dashhawk and before I cough up the $300 I want to be sure. Will it actually monitor all the things that AutoXRacer listed just by plugging it into the diagnostic port? Does it record the peak boost so you can check it later after you slow down? I have a boost gauge but sometimes I'm a little busy when it hits the peak and it would be great to be able to check later.

[MikeHTally]

Our cars don't have an oil pressure sensor!!!!
According to DashHawk, the OBD II data includes oil pressure. When I put in my spin-on filter, I had to remove and reinstall a sensor. I can't think of anything else that close to the filter besides a pressure sensor.

Plus, something has to turn on the idiot light when the pressure gets below TOO low.

[CWPspeed3]

This is probably a stupid question but I'm about to buy a Dashhawk and before I cough up the $300 I want to be sure. Will it actually monitor all the things that AutoXRacer listed just by plugging it into the diagnostic port? Does it record the peak boost so you can check it later after you slow down? I have a boost gauge but sometimes I'm a little busy when it hits the peak and it would be great to be able to check later.

Yes it will measure all those just by plugging it into the OBDII, you can datalog up to 6 parameters as well to watch your boost if you'd like but it will only go for a max of 6min I believe. All those things AutoXRacer said are nice to monitor and I will do that for spirited driving but just back and forth to work i set it to monitor boost/vac and instant mpg.

[AutoEuphoria]

You may have to download the latest version of firmware, though...when I got mine it wasn't able to display boost pressure. I updated it with the latest version and it worked wonderfully.

[AutoXRacer]

According to DashHawk, the OBD II data includes oil pressure. When I put in my spin-on filter, I had to remove and reinstall a sensor. I can't think of anything else that close to the filter besides a pressure sensor.

Plus, something has to turn on the idiot light when the pressure gets below TOO low.

That sensor is just an idiot light trigger; pressure/no pressure. You can install an oil pressure sensor and wire it up to a gauge, but the ECU does not monitor oil pressure.

[AutoXRacer]

This is probably a stupid question but I'm about to buy a Dashhawk and before I cough up the $300 I want to be sure. Will it actually monitor all the things that AutoXRacer listed just by plugging it into the diagnostic port? Does it record the peak boost so you can check it later after you slow down? I have a boost gauge but sometimes I'm a little busy when it hits the peak and it would be great to be able to check later.

It will montior all that plus more; MPG, timing, fuel volume, cam sensor angle, crank sensor angle, egr, etc... The list just keeps going.

I wouldn't pay $300 though; I got mine for like $180.

It will not record peak boost unless you data log. It does have a peak alert and warning if you set it.

You can even set it up as a shift light too.

[TheRealDefman]

This is probably a stupid question but I'm about to buy a Dashhawk and before I cough up the $300 I want to be sure.


I wouldn't pay $300 though; I got mine for like $180.



Agreed, got mine NIB from a private seller on Craigslist for $200.

[AutoXRacer]

Definitely wait for a forum member to sell one. On the "other" forum, someone just sold one for $160.

[TheRealDefman]

Agreed, got mine NIB from a private seller on Craigslist for $200.

SHIT!! Be careful with used/"new" ones unless they're from a known quantity... The "NIB" one I got on Craigslist turned out not to be quite so new. I think it may have never been actually used, but someone had cut Pin 13 out of the OBD connector (A tip from the MSD site to get one working on a Dodge) and rendered it pretty much useless... I paid with Paypal so getting the $$ back won't be a problem.

Ordered a NEW one from SU.... example of how trying to save $$ ends up costing me $$.

In an effort to try to stay on the original topic, thanks for the info on what to monitor... I'll put it to good use!

[AutoXRacer]

Did they cut the pin off the cable or actually unit?
You could have bought a replacement cable...

[Moultese]

Just curious, why would you purchase a Dashhawk w/o knowing what you want to monitor first? Sometimes I just don't understand when people buy stuff "just to have it."

[AutoEuphoria]

Well, he might be wondering what the most important things are to keep an eye on, but in general you're right. If you don't know what to look for, you're generally not going to know what is "safe" and "unsafe".

[TheRealDefman]

Did they cut the pin off the cable or actually unit?
You could have bought a replacement cable...

Looks like they used needlenose pliers to twist the pin off inside the cable.

$200 to buy it, $9 to ship it. Now add another $25 for the cable (I looked at that) and another $5-10 to ship the cable... suddenly I have almost $250 in a Dashhawk that I might not be able to get warranty on if it pukes because I bought it "used" as far as MSD is concerned. Got the new one from SU for $270.

[TheRealDefman]

Just curious, why would you purchase a Dashhawk w/o knowing what you want to monitor first? Sometimes I just don't understand when people buy stuff "just to have it."


Wow, that's just the kind of friendliness and helpful spirit that just makes new visitors want to sign right up.... I had some ideas of what I wanted to get from it before I bought it, but being new to a turbo car I thought I'd ask what else I should be looking at, and learning more about, to keep my car healthy.

I love my new car. It'll never have the sentimental value that my 240Z has but it's just as much fun, maybe even more. I'm sure I'm not alone on this and it'll last much longer, but a month later I still get a huge fuckin' grin when I hit third and plant the gas....

[Moultese]

I didn't think my post was offensive. I was just curious as to why you would purchase a product w/o knowing what you wanted to use it for.

[Lee456]

When you go to the emissions test now they connect up to the port rather than sticking the wand up the tailpipe, at least here in Arizona. Does anyone know what they look at and if the Dashhawk can display it? I'm wondering if you can determine in advance if your car will pass by using the Dashhawk.

[AjaxUSA]

being I am a bit slow....what in the world does "knock retard" mean?

[TheRealDefman]

Best when used when approaching a closed door with a person of diminished mental capacity and they don't know what to do, you should say.. "Knock Retard!"


In this case, it means:
Knock Retard (hereafter referred to as KR) is the response from the PCM to cylinder detonation. KR is the measure of the number of degrees of overall ignition timing advance that must be removed from the engine to prevent detonation from continuing, thus protecting the engine from damage.