I was wondering how a G Timer, or a simliar device, works? Does it sense when the car starts moving and when it hits a certain speed?

If so, would wheelspin prevent the device from giving it an accurate reading? i.e. if the wheels are spinning at launch and the car is actually not moving (just wheel spinning), would the timer provide an accurate reading?

I'm thinking of getting a timer myself, as I just broke in the TL-S!

 

I don't have a timer, but I did research them. I was thinking about getting one, and still might.

I am sure that wheel spin would not produce misleading results. I know why you ask... you are thinking that the timer is somehow connect to the tires rotating. However, the timer works by sensing the g-force of the acceleration (called an accelerometer). There is no connections to the wheels. So, you could be spinning in mud and still get an accurate reading.

 

If that's the case, wouldn't spinning the wheels at launch result in no g-force as the car is not moving?

 

I had a 1st gen G-Tech meter, it suckd. You have to make sure that its was centered and aligned. The new G-Tech Pro models are plug and play.

 

The electronic sensor is VERY sensitive. Place a nickel on it's edge on your dash, place a raw egg on your dash, then spin the wheels. Does the nickel fall and does the egg roll off your dash... sure. There is g-force present and the meter will detect it.

 

I have a GTimer from Escort...here is the basic explanation...

How does the G-Timer Vehicle Performance Meter know the speed and distance?

The G-Timer Vehicle Performance Meter tracks acceleration forces over time, and from this continuously calculates speed and distance. For accuracy, it tracks all these items approximately 200 times per second.

Here's a simplified explanation of how the system works:

For this simplified example, we'll assume a G-Timer Vehicle Performance Meter that performs calculations only once per second. We'll also assume that our car can accelerate with a force of 0.45G.

An acceleration of 1 G means that car would accelerate at 32.2 feet per second per second, which is about 22 mph per second. (That means, from a standing start, after one second, the car would be going 22 mph. After two seconds it would be going 44 mph, etc.)

In our example the car accelerates at 0.45G, which is about 10 mph per second.

So, let's look at the 1st second of our timed run: We were going 0 mph at the beginning of that second, and we were going 10 mph at the end of that second. So our average speed during that second was 5 mph. We can then calculate how far the car went: 5 miles per hour = 26,400 feet per hour = about 7 feet per second.

So after the 1st second, we've traveled 7 feet, and we're going 10 mph.

Now let's look at the 2nd second of our timed run (remember, we're still accelerating at 10 mph per second): We were going 10 mph at the beginning of that second, and we were going 20 mph at the end of that second. So our average speed during that second was 15 mph. We can then calculate how far the car went, which turns out to be about 22 feet.

So after 2 seconds, we've traveled 7 + 22 = 29 feet, and we're going 20 mph.

Now let's look at the 3rd second of our timed run: We were going 20 mph at the beginning of that second, and we were going 30 mph at the end of that second. So our average speed during that second was 25 mph. We can then calculate how far the car went, which turns out to be about 37 feet.

So after 3 seconds, we've traveled 7+22+37 = 66 feet, and we're going 30 mph.

This is a simplified way to see how the G-Timer Vehicle Performance Meter tracks speed and distance during a timed run. Remember, in actuality, the G-Timer Vehicle Performance Meter continuously measures G-forces, and makes these calculations hundreds of times each second.

What is the accuracy of the G-Timer Vehicle Performance Meters?
For most vehicles, the readings will be within 100 milliseconds "out of the box," and within 50 milliseconds after fine-tuning setup items for the specific car.

 

for best accuracy, $15 gets you into the local 1/4mi track. unlimited runs and see keep timeslips. the track strip is VERY sticky so launching wont be too bad vs. the street. Plus, its FUN as hell, even for the 16sec cars. Its also in a controlled environment, clean road (no chance of debris to cut tires) and safe for making runs vs. the street.

Dont forget to lower front tire pressures just a tad bit.

 

I would agree with you sir...but...he didnt exactly ASK about drag strips did he?

 

Does anyone have any experience with the G tech Pro timers, they look like they are very nice.

 

I got my performance results using my G-Timer and have found it to be very usefull and accurate.

 

2004 TL,
Is your car manual? I'm guessing from those impressive performance numbers in you sig that it is.

-Matt

 

I was kinda thinking the same thing MTVtec.....I am supercharged and just got the figures you see below my name?

 

Yes it is a manual. There are techniques that can be used to maximize tire traction, minimize clutch wear, and get the best times when shifting. I call it snap shifting, but it is a way to cut fractions of a second off of the shift time and have the clutch fully engage while maintaining the bet possible rpm range. It is difficult to explain, but the typical driver will be much slower in the heel toe transiant response. The idea is to manage wheel spin so that you are slipping about 15% in the tire contact, but minimizing clutch slippage which causes wear. I have more than 70,000 on the original clutch, and have no issues. My last Honda product got me more than 150,000 miles before I replaced the clutch and flywheel. A lot of people drop the clutch, bog and go, or worse, go WOT and slip the clutch to full engagement. The last one pains me to say, but I have heard that before.

Ultimately, 289 whp is probably the most that makes sense in this car, and anything more would make the first 40 mph difficult to drive everyday without buring through tires abnormally. The idea is no more than 15% tire slippage which is less than you might think or feel. Basically, if you are feeling tire slippage, you are already past the 15% mark. It is hard to explain.

A supercharger would add about 50 whp I think, but who cares if I can go from 40-80 mph a little faster. The car is already faster than it needs to be in normal everyday New York traffic.