Pic/PC Simple/Complex/Jellybeans

[Frederic Breitwieser]

>  I'd have to agree with Wayne. As my original post stated, I'm not a
>hack, but I do have a pretty good idea about why crankshafts turn. I

Since I am out of cash but enjoy expressing worthless opinions, I offer a
bag of jelly beans in leu of two cents.

I think "Bob the Computer Guy" came up with a really good solution a few
months back, and you might want to hunt the archives for the related
messages. Using a PC is a neat idea, and offers a LOT of flexibility,
however there is nothing wrong with a "dopey" stamp, PIC, or other type of
pseudo processor running the engine.  They are cheap, easy to program
(basic of all evil things), and did I say cheap?  While not as powerful as
a 68HCxx and doesn't have a massive shareware following as far as
compilers, languages, and other things, the PICs/Stamp concept is really
simple - because the parts are simple.  Bob's suggestion was to utilize
PICS/Stamps for the engine management, while the PC or 68HCxx or your Palm
pilot (whatever) monitors, and presents information to the tuner, driver,
or passenger.  While I'm on the PC EFI list and very interested in working
to build a PC based EFI system, my reasons are not technically valid.  I
chose the PC platform simply because I know it better than I know stamps
and pics.  It will cost twice as much, if not more, but I can write code in
Visual C <smile>.

It took me almost 15 years of being a car enthusiast to convert from the
mentality of "no replacement for displacement", yet I'm slapping turbos on
a V6.  I'm hoping that *I* for one don't lag that long in realizing the
value of simplicity.  The simpler electronics you have, the less flexible
it will be, but, the easier it is to tune, adjust, and get on the road.

Worse case scenario is to use a Haltech or Electromotive system - not cheap
but it works out of the box (after 6-8 hours of playing).

Anyway, enjoy the jelly beans.


Frederic Breitwieser
Bridgeport, CT 06606

Homebrew Automotive Website:
http://www.xephic.dynip.com/

"When in doubt, use a bigger hammer"
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