Tonight I got around to installing my software on the lap top and hooked up the serial obd2 interface. I bought this software on ebay for $99 and as well as a code reader scanner it has quater mile, dyno, and data logging as well as real time component scan. I have the new release v3.7 with pda interface.
I made several runs and logged
Vehicle Speed
Engine RPM'*
Manifold Absolute Pressure
B1S1 02 Sensor
Ignition Timing Advance
Throttle Position Angle
Engine Coolant Temperature
Intake Air Temperature

I have to play with it more to find the other options like knock retard and injector pulse etc.
I like how easy it is to use but you cant access the menu unless the car is started? You can view the logs offline but have to set up the sensors online and using a lap top touch pads bites. I havent tried to inport into excel but they claim you can, for now I'm using their data log viewer.

On a side note the Scan interface would not connect on the lap tops battery? I had to break out the cig lighter adapter, always some kind of glich

sounds cool. what'* that software called? Is it Digimoto? Know of any sw that works with the I/O on my '87 bonne? I think back in 87 we still used OBDI but am not sure.

A few weeks ago here at school (VaTech) , Ford, GM, cummins and a few of the tire companies came to hold an automotive engineering seminar and it was very interesting. Sadly, GM only did a manufacturing seminar where they talked about their new manufacturing methods (similar to Dell'*). I think it was called LEAN. however I must admit I liked Ford''* and Cummins' presentations. They took us outside to some of their cars and had laptops hooked up to demonstrate just how much the computers do for their controls on the engine. Cummins had a nice diesel engine which utilized 2 shots of fuel per combustion in efforts to reduce ping.. Ford had a current SVT Cobra and svt focus and even a pre-production new Mustang with a laptop to it.

Anyways they all did cool stuff and I do wonder how much extra push you could get by adjusting some of those figures. Good luck with your current set-up, sounds cool. Let us know if you pull any cool tricks with it!

Mike Diaz

p.*. the Ford engineer didn't 'seem to concerned about hurting the engine via laptop so I wouldn't be too afraid to go wild with yours.

i'll have to check that out