PCM Diagnostics & Tuning HP Tuners | Holley | Diablo

Computer Hardware ??? for the Computer Geeks

Old Mar 23, 2011 | 02:14 PM
  #1  
00Wildcat's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
Default Computer Hardware ??? for the Computer Geeks

First of I'm a computer idiot. I have a 79 Malibu with an '04 5.3 truck engine. I'm a tinker/fabricator and can't leave anything alone which is why I want to tune on my own with HP tuners or one of the other full tuning software suites. If you aren't familar with G-body dashes they have a big rectangular gauge cluster area that in my case has a big useless sweep speedo and that's it. So I've been thinking why not take an inexpensive laptop add a solid state drive (to reduce effects of jarring and reduce the ghost energy consumption when the car is shut off and the computer is still on), separate the lcd from the key/mother board, mount the lcd in the dash and the key board in the glove box or swing out from under the dash (or would a touch screen work?). That would give me a tuning package and gauge package for around the same cost as just a nice set of gauges? Will this work as simply as I think it should? how much 12v power would something like that use in hibernation mode? If the computer was shut down every time the car was shut off, waiting to reboot would be impractical.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2011 | 03:58 PM
  #2  
Schwanke Engines's Avatar
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 849
Likes: 3
From: Springfield, MN
Default

Or, you could just do this!!!

http://www.racepak.com/Components/IQ3_Display.php
http://www.racepak.com/Components/OBDII.php
http://www.amazon.com/Cable-J1962M-2.../dp/B000TMCX72

And you wouldn't have to worry about keeping your laptop in hibernation mode.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2011 | 07:53 PM
  #3  
00Wildcat's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
Default

Racepak would fall under "nice gauge package" I've considered that. I already have an Innovate LM2 Wideband datalogger. The racepak setup starts around $900 from my research. I was thinking $200 used business class laptop like a dell 620, a $100ish 8-10" lcd monitor, HPtuners $500 and another $100 or so for power supply and cables, that adds up to arond the same as the Racepak but a larger screen, GPS, and most of all tuning capabilities.
Reply


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:21 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE