Digital Dash Using Ipad On Super Spec

[Guest bugsy]

Hi,

 

Its been a long time since i posted on here and even longer since I had my hood on the road!

 

I am in the process of re-doing my wiring loom and dash on my Super Spec, I have had this crazy idea of fitting an IPad into the dash and using an App like Dash Command http://www.palmerperformance.com/products/dashcommand/iphone/index.php with a OBD Scan connected to the ECU to show the engine info, speed, revs etc.

 

I realise that this sounds crazy but i figure its worth a try, personally i think it would look pretty good! has anybody else done anything similar?

 

One question is does anybody know what the ECU is from on the Super Spec? any advice would be much appreciated.

 

Cheers,

 

Bugsy

[theduck]

Hell of an expensive way to have a digi dash! Would have also thought that battery life would be an issue, and if turning off inbetween driving then the boot up time will be an issue also. I have doubts over whether it would pass MOT as well due to lack of odometer.

[brumster]

A hell of a load cheaper than a "proper", dedicated digital dash

 

I'm not sure what the visibility would be like in sunlight.

I'd be unsure about the responsiveness of the GUI; you've got a whole LOAD of layers of operating system and software running on that iPhone or iPad. I'd be happy to be proven wrong, but most of the time I worry about the OS grinding, or needing patching, or flashing, or an SMS arriving just when I don't want it to, etc.

Faffing around with plugging it into a USB cable to keep it charged.

Faffing around with a holder to mount it somewhere visible

Or, you do say fitting the iPad into the dash?

Someone knicking it out of the dash, maybe?!

 

I applaud the idea, honestly I do, but I wouldn't be convinced myself. I think I'd just prefer a good old set of dials anyway.

Edited April 17, 2015 by brumster

[speedtripledan]

My nodiz pro has a free android digi dash which connects via bluetooth.

[alanrichey]

One question is does anybody know what the ECU is from on the Super Spec? any advice would be much appreciated.

As far as I know it was the one used on the Rover 420 that the engine came from. And Richard Stewart had them internally modified to disable the immobiliser circuit. One problem you will have is that I don't think they have the data port fitted that you would need for the OBD. Certainly my local Rover specialist thought they could not be reprogrammed and we were stuck with what we had.

 

I actually initiated a thread about the ECU at http://rovertech.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=146043 when I was trying to find a spare, but without success. The problem is that there are different ones for the turbo and the petrol and the diesel and also if the engine uses dizzy or wasted spark (I assume we have the dizzy model) There should be a label on the ECU with a serial number but so far I haven't found a Superspec owner who has the label. I have an awful suspicion the people who modified them removed the labels. I guess yours doesn't have one either ?

 

What would be nice is if we could figure out how to use a different, modern ECU to give us more control and access. But that is beyond my technical ability

[brumster]

Most aftermarket models have CAN bus now, but what they publish across it for use on a dash display is down to the ECU vendor.

I don't suppose you've got any detailed pictures of both sides of the Rover ECU PCB do you? I'd be interested to take a look and see if there's any obvious CAN components on there; I could spot the most obvious ones. It may be the board has the facility, but it was just never broken out onto the loom or a separate plug. Long shot, but since they're 90's cars it may very well be there's no CAN on them whatsoever.

Edited April 17, 2015 by brumster

[Guest bugsy]

Most aftermarket models have CAN bus now, but what they publish across it for use on a dash display is down to the ECU vendor.

I don't suppose you've got any detailed pictures of both sides of the Rover ECU PCB do you? I'd be interested to take a look and see if there's any obvious CAN components on there; I could spot the most obvious ones. It may be the board has the facility, but it was just never broken out onto the loom or a separate plug. Long shot, but since they're 90's cars it may very well be there's no CAN on them whatsoever.

 

I will have a look tonight when I get home, From looking in the Web it looks like the original Rover one. From memory it has a plug for diagnostics with a cover, its been a while since i looked at it to be honest.

 

Cheers,

 

Bugsy

[alanrichey]

Be very interested to know if yours has a label and/or data port. My research flags up the MKC104392 or the MKC103310 as the most likely candidate. Interestingly one of them on E-Bay says you can disable the immobiliser by simply cuttings the wire from Pin13. I have been assured from other sources that you either have to have it reprogrammed internally or fit an override module.

 

All a bit of a black art.

[Al Milton]

On my original Rover ECU (now run a Zetec with Emerald), I disabled the immobiliser by cutting the wire to a pin and taking to earth, 13 could have been the lucky number.

I was led to believe this pin was the earth switch from an inhibitor.

It worked for mine without re-programming

[alanrichey]

I will have a look tonight when I get home, From looking in the Web it looks like the original Rover one. From memory it has a plug for diagnostics with a cover, its been a while since i looked at it to be honest.

Any luck with a label/data port ?

[Guest bugsy]

Hi, Sorry for the delay, i havnt had access to the forum this weekend.

 

On the ECU loom there is a round 3 pin plug I assumed this was for diagnostics? There is a serial number (i think) on the side, SK1248951DD, looking at the photos on the web it does look like the standard rover one, albeit a modified one.

 

I have not managed to remove the cover yet as its security screws which I don't have the bit for.

 

Not much help really, sorry!

 

Bugsy

[bullfist]

Took some snapshots of my SuperSpec ECU - anyone any hints (cannot see a CAN chip) as I would be interested in comunicating with the ECU.

I do have other (and higher definition photos) - I just had to get all these into 1Mb for the posting.

-steve