Wideband logging with JTEC/J1850 systems

Hi guys, new to the tuning world, but have been doing some reading. What I'm reading is that basically I will need a wideband (aem 30-0300 for example) and will have to run the data through a serial port that exchanges into a USB port, which will plug into a second usb on the laptop, and HpT will be able to pick that up and use that info.

I just ordered the mpvi2, so I dont have it in front of me yet. I just want to make sure this is the correct way of doing it, so I can also order the correct wideband and cables to be able to log. I know I could have, and maybe should have, ordered the "Pro" version, but I cheaped out. If I absolutely have to get the pro version, I will, but it didnt seen necessary to me right now as I learn and tune on my own personal vehicle (04 Grand Cherokee 4.7 v8).

Any links/info is greatly appreciated, I dont need someone to hold my hand through all this, I absolutely dont mind doing more reading/research, but I figured I'd ask to make sure the current info I have is the best way to go about all this as of right now.

Thanks!

You are right on track. I prefer logging over serial data more than analog because you get the raw digital data, and you don't have to worry about any voltage offsets for the analog signal. Works great with the MPVI2, and no need to buy the pro version as you mentioned. Yes, you will use 2 USB ports on your laptop. The AEM 30-0300 is a great unit. I can get you one cheaper than Summit or Amazon (PM me).

Make sure you have a good USB to serial converter. I always buy one from Amazon that has the FTDI chip and lots of good reviews. The FTDI chip usually works with windows os "out of the box", meaning it will install the correct driver auto-magically. Here are links to the serial converter, serial cable (which I cut to adapt to the AEM gauge) the last time I built a WBO2 setup. Worked well for me. I hope these links work. Let me know if they don't. I like to do a temporary setup and I use the clamp in the tailpipe as well as a cigarette lighter adapter for powering the wideband. About that exhaust clamp, don't trust the bolt to hold it on. They will fall off. I get some mechanic's wire and wrap around the clamp and somewhere under the vehicle for additional security.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Moto...7065501&sr=8-2

You cut the serial data cable (NOT THE USB CONVERTER) and wire it into your AEM gauge. There are 9 tiny cables inside the serial cable. You only need 2 of them. If the cable you bought uses the conventional standard (the one above does) the black AEM ground wire goes to the green serial cable wire. Then the blue AEM serial wire goes to the red serial cable wire.

Here is a graphic I stole from somewhere a while ago. Not mine, and credit is due to whoever made it, which I would give, I just don't know who to give it to.

Attachment 108398

I appreciate the info!! I will get into contact with you before too long about the wideband. I never thought about having a "temporary" setup either, and as I have 2 4.7 v8 jtec vehicles to play with, that would make more sense. I'm having the 1 tuned by FRP, but it's all email tuning so data acquisition is still real important, to revise the file. And that's how I plan to learn a bit, acquiring the data and just seeing the revisions made. It's all fairly stock stuff (bored, small compression bump and cam/intake upgrades). So should be easy to apply what I know with all that happening.

Again, I appreciate all your feedback!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AC3

You are right on track. I prefer logging over serial data more than analog because you get the raw digital data, and you don't have to worry about any voltage offsets for the analog signal. Works great with the MPVI2, and no need to buy the pro version as you mentioned. Yes, you will use 2 USB ports on your laptop. The AEM 30-0300 is a great unit. I can get you one cheaper than Summit or Amazon (PM me).

Make sure you have a good USB to serial converter. I always buy one from Amazon that has the FTDI chip and lots of good reviews. The FTDI chip usually works with windows os "out of the box", meaning it will install the correct driver auto-magically. Here are links to the serial converter, serial cable (which I cut to adapt to the AEM gauge) the last time I built a WBO2 setup. Worked well for me. I hope these links work. Let me know if they don't. I like to do a temporary setup and I use the clamp in the tailpipe as well as a cigarette lighter adapter for powering the wideband. About that exhaust clamp, don't trust the bolt to hold it on. They will fall off. I get some mechanic's wire and wrap around the clamp and somewhere under the vehicle for additional security.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Moto...7065501&sr=8-2

You cut the serial data cable (NOT THE USB CONVERTER) and wire it into your AEM gauge. There are 9 tiny cables inside the serial cable. You only need 2 of them. If the cable you bought uses the conventional standard (the one above does) the black AEM ground wire goes to the green serial cable wire. Then the blue AEM serial wire goes to the red serial cable wire.

Here is a graphic I stole from somewhere a while ago. Not mine, and credit is due to whoever made it, which I would give, I just don't know who to give it to.

Attachment 108398

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Would a lapton with a single 3.0 (HpT) and a 2.0 (WB) work???
I wanted to get your attention as I'm about to pull the trigger on a new laptop but it has just 1 3.0 and 1 2.0, wondered if that mattered.

Appreciate the info!!

I am trying to gauge the demand for an AEM 30-0334 type device, that would work with vehicles, older than 2007. Or, actually, I am looking at making a device that would be a bridge between the CAN output of the AEM 30-0300 and 30-0310 to the J-1850 VPW and PWM variants of OBDII, which should work with all US made vehicles ( GM, Ford, MOPAR ) from 1996 to present.
This would, likely, take the form of a small box, with an OBDIII pass-thru connector ( Similar to the 30-0334 cable ), and some screw terminals for the CANH and CANL lines that come out of the 30-0300 and 30-0310. This would allow adding multiple AFR channels.
In a perfect world, I would set it up to provide power to the gauge(s). But, I am pretty sure that trying to power more than one wideband would blow the OBDII fuse. And, I am sure that people would try to set it up, that way.
I am not super-clear on how I would handle configuration. Ideally, it would all be automatic. But, likely, it will need some DIP switches; or, worse, a USB port and a config app.

Obviously, this is a hardware project. So, it will require some significant investment. So, I need some realistic idea of how many of these I could sell, to make back the costs. Target price should be somewhere around $85. Which is not much more than the difference in price between the 30-0300 and 30-0334.

This, probably, needs its own thread. :)