Adaptronic owners thread

[3gress]

Thanks Lokiel for all the hard yards on the ADAPtrackit app. Havent had a chance to test it out but will get the chance soon enough.
A bit delayed on your queries hks_kansei but i am using an adaptronic universal 440 select and opted to just use an internal regulated alternator when faced with this problem on my previous mazda. No issues at all with the set up. The wiring was certainly not plug and play though my particular requirements demanded bespoke configuring using a modified CAS with all but one tooth removed to use as a home reset signal and a 12 tooth crank sensor for ignition events and other deviations like sequential fire injection, no batch fire on coil on plug ignition etc.

My reason for cluttering up this thread is to ask opinions on a cheap alternative laptop to use for tuning after my HP 360 fried it's graphics board and turned the screen pink. Also the battery is shot, unable to hold any charge unless permanently plugged in. I would prefer to stick with using windows 7 as later windows versions don't play nice with me. Also the HP laptop is large, heavy and cumbersome and I'd prefer a more compact design that would cover the very basic requirements to tune, log and monitor the engine.
I am not in a position to fork out a large amount of cash and would consider a refurbished unit or the like.
I would be grateful for any advice concerning cheap alternatives or advice on dealing with windows 10, or indeed backdating a newer laptop to my beloved windows 7.
Thanks guys.

[Lokiel]

I recently purchased a refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad Core i5 T430S (1600x900) for this exact purpose from eBay after my trusty refurbished Dell Lattude e6420's keyboard started getting "stuck keys" (I've since replaced the keypad which now works but I prefer the Thinkpad).

This is like the T430S I bought: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/lenovo-Thinkpad-T430S-Intel-Core-i5-3320M-2-60GHz-3MB-Excellent-Conditions/332436813435?hash=item4d66c7367b:g:WIwAAOSwgQ9VyRrJ

It came with Windows 7 which I upgraded free to Win 10 and I also replaced the HD with a SSD.

The Thinkpads are much more rugged than other laptops (except for the ToughBooks which are designed for a hard life) and the keyboards are great to type on.

A Core i5 CPU is plenty for this job but you really want a rugged laptop with a big screen so that you don't need to scroll around your screen to see the maps. If you forgo the keypad you can get a smaller sized laptop (I prefer laptops WITHOUT the keypad for this exact reason - I can live without it for the benefits of a smaller size/weight).

Make sure that the screen has a strong hinge.

DON't buy a new laptop for this task, or any task unless it's your only machine, it's a waste of money, you can buy a 1 year old refurbished laptop for half the cost of a new one and it'll do what you want (except play high-end games).

[3gress]

Thanks for the advice and links mate. Much appreciated

[mx589]

lokiel summed it up well dont buy a new lappy if you only use it in the car for tuning etc.
Had old dell laptop 8+ years old running windows 7 but was slowly dying. Bought a 2nd hand tablet style dell with windows 10 runs the adaptronic software great tho i think cause 10 inch screen the Eugene software is a bit cramped and the software does not resize some of the box etc so some things are cut of etc.
Best bet is a laptop with 14 inch screen minimum.

[3gress]

My brother in law when working for westfields would refurbish laptops as a hobby and pass them on cheap. I always meant to take him up on the offer, but as i well know my superhuman powers of procrastination help society by slowing everything down to a crawl and i missed out.

On a different note what would be the most appropriate OEM knock sensor to install on my noisy bp block to help 440 universal select alter timing maps on the fly? Is there a premapped standard knock sensor from later bp engines that would require minimal setup and be reliable enough?
I have never intensively altered the timing maps from what was offered as standard and would like to have some form of active safety device installed. Is there a part number for the sensors that were factory installed that someone may have on hand? I'd ideally like to tune the timing maps with the adaptive tuning feature if that is what it is called from memory.

[Okibi]

..Is there a premapped standard knock sensor from later bp engines that would require minimal setup and be reliable enough?...

FM think so, https://www.flyinmiata.com/knock-sensor-and-mount.html

[hks_kansei]

Two part question here:

1: where am I best to hook up the MAP vac hose? the instructions say tee off the fuel pressure reg, but from what I can see, and what the internet says, the NB8A doesnt have a reg (well, up that end of the car anyway)
temporarily i've hooked it to the unused vac port on the back of the intake manifold, right near the EGR solenoid. But if that's going to be a crap vac source i'll move it so I dont chase my own tail when I try to tune.
(circled in this random web pic) https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/ ... 12420b.jpg


2: Once i've found where to hook it to the engine comes getting it to the ECU.
Is there any way to get a map/vac hose down to the passenger footwell without having to take out all the blower and aircon core, then having to remove all the insulation?
Or am i just going to have to suck it up and rip half my farking dashboard out (which is a prick of a job)

[NitroDann]

The reg. It has one. Keep looking.

Yes you need to poke it through and go fishing under the dash with a torch.

Have fun.

Dann

[ManiacLachy]

For number 2, there's a rubber grommet on the passenger side of the firewall, already has a hose in it. I cut a small hole in that and fed the map line through, you can pull it through from the passenger foot well, but you'll have to have the ECU plate out - which you probably would have anyway for your Adaptronic.

[hks_kansei]

The reg. It has one. Keep looking

It's not up the front behind the VICS solenoid is it?

I saw what appeared to be a reg there, but it only seemed to have a vac line from it leading over to the purge solenoid for the charcoal canister (which is switched vaccum isn't it? Rather than even)

[hks_kansei]

The reg. It has one. Keep looking.

Checked the workshop manual.

Fuel Pressure reg is back at the tank, no vaccum lines to it.

No pressure reg shown or mentioned at the rail, or in the engine bay at all, you're not talking about the pulse dampers are you?

[NitroDann]

Import NB8a has reg in tank, aus NB8a has reg on rail.

Ive always seen them with regs.

[hks_kansei]

farking yanks again.

Guessing it's at the front end of the fuel rail?
back end I couldnt see anything there, other than all the EGR crap.
Front end I can see what looks like it may be a reg, buy I can't quite get my hand in deep enough to feel if the line from the bottom of it leads to the high pressure line from the pump. (that, and the vac line to it leads to the EGR purge solenoid. Which doesnt seem right to me, since wont that mean the vac/map signal will pulse whenever the charcoal canister is purged?)

[NitroDann]

[NitroDann]

That one?