Question

Why should I buy a Racepak data recorder? Why not one of those other recorders I see advertised?

Answer

Great question, and one to which we could give you a whole list of reasons as answers. However, we feel that our best endorsements come from our customers. The people who have spent their hard earned dollars and put our equipment to the test. Try this…next time you are at any large race, start taking a close look inside the cars to see whose data recorder everyone is actually using. Pay special attention to those teams who can afford whatever equipment they want, so they only use those that will get the job done for them. If you get the opportunity, see if you can ask them a few questions. Ask them why they use Racepak (overwhelming, most do). Ask them if they have any problems with their recorder or software. Ask if it was difficult to install or learn how to use. Ask if they get the support they need whenever they might need it. Ask if they would buy from Racepak again. While you are at it, why don’t you also go ahead and ask those questions to anyone that may be using some other brand of data recorder. As you might suspect, as we enter the third decade of supplying customers with the finest data acquisition equipment available, we feel we have established a pretty solid reputation, and aren’t afraid of letting our customers speak for us.

Question

What kind of things do most people monitor?

Answer

The answer to that can depend somewhat on what type of car the recorder is in. Almost everyone is going to want to see the engine RPM and the driveshaft RPM. Driveshaft speed is used to look at tire slippage and also to calculate a slippage ratio between the engine and the clutch or torque converter. After that the selection starts to spread out. Popular items include the exhaust gas temperatures (indicator of rich/lean fuel mixture), fuel pressure (fuel system efficiency), oil pressure (engine problem warning), pan vacuum (engine efficiency or warning signals), along with an accelerometer (G-meter) and battery voltage. From there it just depends on how hungry you are for information. You can start looking at nitrous bottle or fuel pressure, transmission pressure or temperature, brake pressure, manifold vacuum or boost, water/oil/cylinder head temperature, ignition timing, shock travel, event markers, throttle position, lap times, track segment times, track mapping…. well, you get the idea. If it involves pressure, vacuum, temperature, position, travel, event, or RPM, we can help you monitor it.

Question

What is the G2X Pro?

Answer

The G2X Pro is an evolution of our professional series GPS based data acquisition systems, utilized for years in various forms of motorsports. Thousands of on-track laps have allowed us to create an economical data logger that is both rugged and dependable, in a variety of environments.

Question

Why use GPS data?

Answer

Reduced Cost
The G2X Pro utilizes a small GPS antenna to obtain and create data that would typically require an assortment of vehicle mounted sensors and trackside mounted transmitters. The use of GPS signals, combined with the G2X Pro software provides:

• Lap Time
• Segment Time
• Track Mapping
• Speed

In addition, lateral and accel g forces are provided from internally mounted accelerometers, RPM and other inputs are available from externally connected sensors.

Easy Installation
Mount the data logger and dash, connect power and place the antenna on the top of the vehicle. Installation is complete. This simple design allows for quick install / removal in multiple vehicles, while the use of GPS data for lap / segment timing and track mapping allow for accurate comparison between multiple vehicles.

Real Data
The G2X Pro is a data system that installs like a performance meter, yet is a true data acquisition system, saving data to an SD memory card. Data may then be downloaded to the users PC for detailed review. Analysis is performed utilizing Racepak’s Datalink II software, our professional series software that is easy to learn and easy to utilize.

Lap Times without the Necessity of Trackside Transmitters or Vehicle Mounted Receiver
The G2X Pro Display Dash provides the ability to set the start / finish area while on the track, thus providing immediate access to lap time and lap number data, without the necessity of placing any trackside beacons or installing onboard beacon receivers. In addition, other monitored items such as lap difference, speed and various other inputs are available for display.

Question

How does the G2X Pro provide timing and track mapping data?

Answer

In essence, the GPS data from the G2X Pro allows the user to recreate a GPS plotted trackmap, within the Datalink II software. Following this, the user may then place the start / finish and segment markers at the desired location, around the GPS plotted trackmap. The start / finish and segment markers are GPS plotted points, providing accurate timing data.

This “virtual reality” track is saved within the Datalink II software. Track maps may be recalled upon subsequent visits in order to compare lap and segments times between various test / race sessions.

Question

Is the G2X Pro proven?

Answer

While items such as the G2X Pro housing and Display Dash are new products, the internal hardware and software designs are based on our track proven professional series GPS data systems. With multimillion dollar sponsorships depending upon performance, if our professional series race teams rely on the information provided by our GPS data systems, so can you.

Question

What is the accuracy of the G2X Pro?

Answer

Relative Accuracy of GPS Data
When working with GPS signals, it is difficult to quote absolute accuracy, due to a variety of factors. The number of satellites in view, the time of day, the location of the G2X Pro GPS antenna along with natural and man made obstacles can affect accuracy.

However, when using GPS signals for track mapping, lap / segment timing and speed, the G2X Pro and Datalink II software provide exceptionally accurate data, which has been tested and verified in years of on track usage.

Speed 
In typical usage, the speed accuracy is approximately .10 MPH / .16 KMH.

Laptime 
In multi-year testing of G2X Pro vs. trackside beacon laptimes, a variance of .05 has been noted. GPS based laptimes are dependant only upon vehicle location, and can not be affected by sunlight, signal blockage from other vehicles, power loss to the transmitter, or other problems associated with trackside transmitters.

Track mapping 
G2X Pro GPS track maps are created from plotted vehicle location, thus eliminating positional errors that are inherent to inertia based systems. G2X Pro GPS track mapping is capable of easily producing accurate track maps from courses that combine highly bank and extremely flat areas (such as the road course at Daytona), along with standard closed course race tracks. In addition, the G2X Pro can create open course track maps, such as would be used in auto cross, hill climbing and other events where the start and finish are located at two different locations.

Question

Who needs data acquisition?

Answer

Data acquisition is information. The more information you have, the better you can perform your job. If that job happens to involve something like motorsports, the better informed and prepared racers are the one’s who show up in the winner’s circle most often. Think of data acquisition as an extension of some functions that you are already monitoring, like engine RPM, water temperature, oil pressure, and even fuel level.

That was true at one time, but not now. The cost of monitoring and recording data has been reduced drastically over the years. Remember the first pocket calculator you bought? It may have cost you over a hundred dollars. Today they give them away for filling your gas tank with fuel or opening a bank account, and the calculators will perform more functions than those that cost a lot. The same holds true with data recorders. Through technology, the prices have come down and the capabilities have gone up.

Question

What does a data recorder cost?

Answer

That question doesn’t have a quick and easy answer. It is somewhat like walking into a restaurant and asking, “How much is a meal?” Just as the restaurant has a menu full of items, so does data acquisition. To guide you toward an answer would start with deciding which data recorder is best suited to your needs and application. You can start that process yourself by visiting our Application Chart.

Question

Computers scare me.

Answer

Well, they can’t be too frightening to you because you are using one right now. The truth is that if you can get this far on a computer you have all the skills you need to use the software that is used with our data recorders. Both are Windows®-based systems that allow you to navigate around by pointing and clicking on icons. To the best of our knowledge no one has ever hit the ‘explode’ button by accident, so stop worrying and start enjoying.

Question

I really don’t need to make my car any faster.

Answer

Ah-ha! Another shortsighted view of the value of data acquisition. True, data recorders were initially used in motorsports to make cars faster, but since then racers have discovered the joys of using data recorders to make their cars more consistent, heading off problems before it costs them a bundle of money, and resolving problems that caused their car to lose the speed it had.

Question

I don’t want a full-blown data recorder. I just want to monitor a couple of items.

Answer

You are very lucky. It hasn’t been that long ago that data recorders were designed with nothing but large capabilities in mind. Today, again thanks to new technology, we have systems that let you start as small as you would like, and then add from there as your needs or budget dictates. Check out our V-Net systems if you want to see how modular technology has come to data acquisition.

Question

What level should I tow in?

Answer

The only levels suitable for towing are levels 1 and 2. Only use level 2 if you are towing a light load. Never tow without an EGT gauge or an Attitude monitor. If you want to tow to a higher level, you must make the significant engine and transmission upgrades beyond just a chip in order to handle the increase in power. It’s that simple. Even though the Attitude monitors EGT and will automatically de-fuel to prevent excessive EGTs, you should still only tow in level 1.

Question

It seems every product I see advertised claims 100+ horsepower gains, yet when I have driven a friend’s truck that has one of your competitors’ products, the performance just doesn’t seem that good. How come?

Answer

When it comes to horsepower claims there are many people in the industry who state horsepower and torque gains using methods that while accurate, are not particularly relevant to what the enthusiast is looking for in an upgrade.
The most common example of this is flywheel or crank horsepower claims vs. rear-wheel numbers. If your crankshaft was connected to the road, this would be great a number to know. But in fact, your crankshaft is connected to other components, like your transmission, for example, that act as a parasite and reduce power. What you really want to know is horsepower gains at the wheels. A typical truck uses about 30% of its power turning the gears, driveshaft, and other components that sit between the flywheel and the tires. This means someone claiming a 50 horsepower gain at the flywheel is probably only making about a 35 horsepower gain at the wheels. Not bad, but not really as advertised.
The second popular method of “super sizing” horsepower claims is by quoting horsepower gain numbers based on some totally unusable part of the power band. Who cares if all your power gain comes after 3,000 RPM? When do you ever cruise on the highway at redline? (Certain Edge engineers, who are now strictly forbidden by our insurance company to drive company vehicles on public roads, being the exception). What you should be interested in is usable power gains in the low and mid-range. This is particularly true if you tow. Before getting mesmerized by that 100hp claim, look at a before and after dyno graph and see if the gains are really where you drive.
Just so you know, at Edge, we only use rear-wheel horsepower numbers and we tune all our products to provide maximum performance in the most useable part of the power band.

Question

What are EGTs?

Answer

EGT stands for exhaust gas temperature and is the single most important indicator of how a diesel engine is performing. Unlike a gasoline motor, a diesel motor will continue to make power as more fuel is added. As more fuel is added, heat will be generated until the motor just gets too hot and things start to melt. This is a situation to avoid. Exhaust gas temperature is the ideal measurement of how hot the motor is since temperature fluctuations in the gas are almost instantaneous. You should consider using the Edge Attitude or installing an EGT gauge even if you make no performance upgrades since EGT is such an important indicator of engine load. This is particularly if you tow.

Question

Will my Juice work without an EGT probe hooked up?

Answer

The module will function normally, however, you will not have the safety feature of monitoring your EGTs and the Juice will not be able to back down EGTs.

Question

I hear people talking about pressure boxes and timing boxes. What are they talking about?

Answer

There are basically three ways for a box to make more power in a diesel: timing, duration, and pressure. Some boxes just do pressure, some do timing and duration and some do all three. If a box does just pressure, the box is fooling the truck’s computer into thinking it has less fuel pressure than it really does. In response, the computer increases the fuel rail pressure and so when the injectors fire, since there is increased fuel pressure, more fuel is released into the engine and additional power is created. This is the simplest type of power upgrade module and we have found it works very well for most Dodge applications and the Ford 7.3 Powerstrokes, as long as your power gains are limited to less than 70 horsepower. We have found raising fuel pressure on Ford 6.0 and the Duramax puts too much strain on the fuel system and so we do not make pressure boxes for these vehicles. Also, as mentioned, 70 horsepower is about the most you can safely gain in the Dodge and about 50 horsepower is what you can get out of the 7.3 Powerstroke.
As the name implies, a timing and duration box changes the timing of when the injectors fire, either advancing or retarding timing, as well as how long the injectors stay open when they fire. This takes considerable sophistication when it comes to understanding performance tuning as well as vehicle communication systems. We have found re-tuning through timing and duration works very well on the Duramax and the Ford 6.0. When done correctly, it can also produce big gains on most of the Cummins motors; however these gains will usually require additional aftermarket enhancements to the vehicle.

Question

Will my dealer know that I have installed aftermarket tuning if I return my vehicle to stock first before going to my dealer?

Answer

On most vehicles no. Superchips does not leave ghost data or a data footprint. It is highly recommended you return your vehicle to stock prior to going to a dealer for service to avoid any hassles or complications.

Question

How do I know I am getting the best price on my Superchips product?

Answer

Superchips strictly enforces our MVP pricing policy which sets the price on each of our products in the market.

Question

Why do I have to update my tuner before tuning my vehicle?

Answer

We want you to have the most up-to-date firmware and tunes in your tuner prior to tuning the vehicle so you can enjoy the latest and greatest features.

Question

How often can I change the tuning in my vehicle?

Answer

As often as you like.

Question

Can I install other modifications on my vehicle?

Answer

Superchips tuners are designed for use on primarily stock vehicles. In many cases, however, the addition of a cold air intake, exhaust system or throttle body spacer will improve performance.

Question

Can I still use my tow-haul button?

Answer

Yes, you can use the tow-haul button as normal as it does not affect Superchips tuning while driving under heavy load.

Question

Why don’t you offer to tune for vehicles older than 1999 anymore?

Answer

We no longer offer to tune for the older vehicles due to the fact their computers are not as capable or stable as newer vehicles. If you have one of these vehicles, there are many sources that still sell the previous generation Superchips products that do support older model vehicles.

Question

Does installing a Superchips tuner void my factory warranty?

Answer

Superchips stands behind each and every product.  While each dealership can handle warranties in a different fashion, Superchips programs are not designed to take any parameters outside of guidelines or limitations particular OEMs may have.  Recently, many dealerships have included paperwork at the time of purchase of a vehicle, to ask the buyer to confirm they will not install aftermarket parts.  By the letter of the law (Magunusson Moss Warranty Act), a dealership must prove in a court of law that an aftermarket product has decisively caused the damage to the vehicle under warranty. As a precaution, always remove the tuning before going to a dealer for service.  In the event returning to stock before taking to the dealer still creates a warranty issue, the team at Superchips does become involved to remedy the situation.  For information regarding denial of warranty coverage, review the Magnuson-Moss warranty act.