How to log data on your AccessPORT 

From time to time we may ask our customers to provide us with a Datalog to help diagnose a problem or help make their tune a little better.  So what is a Datalog?  A data log is just that, a log of data!  The type of data being logged is parameters and information your ECU is using to control your engine. These are things like Engine RPM, Boost, Ignition Timing, Engine Load, and Air Fuel Ratio, all of which are logged many times per second and recorded based on time.   A data log can be done with many things but in our case we are using the AccessPORT and its powerful Monitor Feature.   Using the AccessPORT to collect this data allows us to make accurate changes to the maps that the ECU uses to control the engine.

Why Would I Need a Datalog?

Why would we ask you for a Datalog?  All of our custom tuned PERRIN Maps, (purchased separately or purchased with AccessPORT) are made to our best ability and to most common conditions. With that said, time to time, customers experience strange issues with the way their car runs and this allows us to see what the ECU is doing and if it is something we can tune out of the car.  99% of the time its something we can fix and adjust our base maps so the next customer never has this problem again.  This is one of the benefits of buying an AccessPORT from PERRIN performance, we fully support them even after the sale!

Common issues we deal with that we can solve are:

• Hesitation issues on 08 STI's
• Boost being too low
• Boost being too high
• Check engine lights revolving around car running lean or rich
• Detonation/Knock Issues

A great benefit of the AccessPORT's Monitor function is that we can also diagnose physical issues that come up that could be mistaken for something with the way the ECU is tuned. Things like a poorly made intake, a boost leak, bad tank of gas, bad sensor, and plugged cats, are just a few of things we can see with a high quality datalog.  These are not things we support (unless they are our parts in question), but it does allows you to better describe the problem to a qualified mechanic.

How Do I Make A Datalog

Simply plug in your AccessPORT to the OBD port and scroll to the Monitor Icon and press the middle button.  Scroll down to where Set Data Log List is, and press the middle button.  This will display all possible data that can be logged.  Simply check or uncheck the data you wish to view.  When you are done press the back button and save the data to be logged.  By default all data is checked off, which is not good as there are many parameters that we do not need to see and the more parameters the slower the logging is. So pick only the data we ask you to, as this will give you the highest quality datalog possible.  

Once data is selected you can start logging data by going to Live Data, bring up any parameter, then click the middle button!  You will see "Initializing" at the bottom of the display then "Logging". When you are done logging you simply click the middle button!  This then saves the log onto your AccessPORT which can later be removed and emailed to us using the AccessPORT Manager software.  Removing the log will be explained further down the page.  

What Makes a Good Datalog

As we briefly mentioned before logging too much data can effect how much accurate data can be collected. This happens because the data from the ECU can only be collected so fast. If you ask the AccessPORT to collect too much data its causes the log to run slower. Example, you ask it to log 1 thing you will get 20 samples of this each second. Which provides excellent data for us to help tune your map. If you ask the ECU for 20 things you may only get 1 sample a second, and while this sounds ok and its not enough to do a proper tune or adjustment to you map. So a balance of speed and type of data works best.  7 to 10 parameters is what works best and generally gets us enough info to accurately modify your map. You can see from the below data log that we are getting roughly 5-6 samples a seconds. In this case we asked the customer to verify a hiccup he was having on his 08 STI.  Had the customer needed some help with low or high boost we would have asked for different parameters. 

Because different situations require different parameters to log we have put together a couple common type situations and the data we would like to see. No matter what we always want to see 

Boost Related Issues and Parameters to Log

• RPM
• Boost
• Ignition Timing
• Wastegate Duty Cycle (Fine and Coarse for EVO X)
• Throttle Position or Requested Torque
• Intake Air Temp

Runs needs to be in 3^rd or 4^th gear starting at 2000 then floor it and take rpm as high possible not exceeding speed limit. Roughly 10 seconds of recording time.

Fueling Related Issues

• RPM
• Boost
• Ignition Timing
• Air Fuel Ratio
• MAF Volts
• Calculated Load (Load Timing and Load Fuel/Boost for EVO X)
• Short Term Fuel Correction
• Long Term Fuel Correction
• Throttle Position/ Requested Torque

Runs needs to start before and end after area of concern, in any gear.  Roughly 10 seconds of run time is all that is needed.

Knock Related Issues

• RPM
• Boost
• Ignition timing
• Knock Correction/Retard
• Wastegate Duty Cycle (Fine and Coarse for EVO X)
• Throttle Position
• Intake Air Temp
• Calculated Load (Load Timing and Load Fuel/Boost for EVO X)
• MAF Volts

Runs needs to be in 3^rd or 4^th gear starting at 2000 then floor it and take rpm as high possible not exceeding speed limit.  Again roughly 10 seconds of run time. 

Rough Running Engine

• RPM
• Boost
• Ignition Timing
• Air Fuel Ratio
• MAF Volts
• Knock Correction/Retard
• Calculated Load (Load Timing and Load Fuel/Boost for EVO X)
• Short Term Fuel Correction
• Long Term Fuel Correction
• Throttle Position/ Requested Torque

Runs needs to start before and end after area of concern, in any gear.  Roughly 10 seconds of run time is all that is needed.

There may be more parameters we might ask you to log but those are the main ones that will cover 99% of what we need to see.  Before you get too far, it doesn't hurt to contact our the tech department to consult with before creating too many logs.

Did I Make a Good Log

The key to a good log is smoothness, consistency and time.  If you can have a smooth foot(when flooring or cruising around)  this helps make tuning easier. If you are constantly wavering up and down during the runs its hard for us to figure out what is going on. A constant pedal, or slowly moving up or down pedal, makes our job much easier.  Consistency in runs is also important.  Use the same gear the same road or same basic conditions.  If you do your runs at 32 degrees in the morning then its 80 later in the day that is going to make runs inconsistent.  Picking the same road or hill also helps us with tuning.  If you are going down on a run then up, and we are trying to make your boost better it will affect the load and in turn affect our tune.  Lastly is time. If you can get the area of concern to happen for 5-10 seconds this will provide us with excellent data and we will be able to create a new map for you perfectly.

It all comes down to you driving your car as though it was on a dyno where things are consistent and repeatable. The closer you can get to this (without breaking speed limits) the better.

Send Us Your Log

In order to send us your log you created, you need to pull it off our AccessPORT. To do this you use the same software that you loaded our Custom Maps onto your AccessPORT, AccessPORT Manager.  Below is a link to download the newest version if you don't already have it.

Open up AccessPORT Manager, and plug in your AccessPORT to the USB port. You will see it pop up on the left column. Once the software recognizes your AccessPORT, go up to the View Menu, then to Advanced (or hit Control-D). You will see all your logs you created labeled datalog1.csv, datalog2.csv, datalog3.csv and so on.  The simplest way to get these off the AccessPORT is to drag and drop them onto your desktop.  The other method is to right click on each one and download to another directory.

Because the AccessPORT doesn't label the logs with your map its important to rename the file to something that makes sense. Example is if you ask for help with over boosting, rename it "08STIoverboost3rdgear.csv".  Once you have the Datalog somewhere on your computer, attach them to an email with your name and number, then send them to MAPS@PERRINperformance.com.  Once we get it, expect roughly 24hours before we get back to you with a new map or questions about your issue!  

Tune My Own Map??

Should I tune my own car with AccessPORT Race Tuner Software now that I see what is going on? We are going to say NO, as this isn't something we support with our PERRIN Maps.  There are many many aspects to tuning your engine properly and this is not something for the faint of heart!  You can blow up your engine very easily and this is something you need to keep in the back of your mind at all times when tuning your car.

A data log is simply a log of data parameters and information your ECU is using to control your engine. Data like Engine RPM, Boost, Ignition Timing, Engine Load, and Air Fuel Ratio Using the AccessPORT and its powerful Monitor Feature you can collect vital data which allows tuners to make accurate changes to the maps the ECU uses to control the engine. Providing a Datalog to a tuner can help diagnose a problem or help to make their tune better.

Why Would I Need a Datalog?

Some enthusiasts with additional modifications, aggressive driving styles or living in exceptional climates may require maps which an extra level of customization. PERRIN Performance maps are created for vehicles with standard modification driven under the most common conditions. Providing our in house tuners with a datalog from your vehicle allows them to see what your ECU is reading and determine if me can make adjustments to your installed maps eliminating any problem. 

Using the AccessPORT's Monitor function we can also diagnose physical issues. Poorly made intakes, a boost leak, bad gas, malfunctioning sensors, and damaged catalytic converters are just a few of things that a high quality datalog can uncover. 

Only buying an AccessPORT from PERRIN performance gets you this kind of continuing support!

How Do I Make A Datalog

Plug your AccessPORT into the OBD port of your vehicle and select the Monitor Icon.  Then select Set Data Log List.  This will display all possible data that can be logged. By default all data is check.  Simply check or uncheck the data you wish to view. Only choose those which are needed to get the highest quality datalog possible. Choosing to many variables will only cause your log to run slow and compromise the data you need.  When you are done press the back button and save the data to be logged.  

Now go to Live Data and select any parameter. It will read "Initializing" at the bottom of the display then "Logging" when the dataloging begins. When you are finished logging your data simply push the middle button to save the log.  Your log can now be removed and emailed using the AccessPORT Manager software. 

What Makes a Good Datalog

Logging too much data can negatively affect the accuracy of your datalog. This occurs because data from the ECU can only be collected at a finite rate. Collecting information from to many parameters will actually decrease the mount of data that is collected for each parameter. 

Tips for a great data log
Smooth Acceleration The key to a good log is a smooth pedal. Slowly moving your accelerator up or down makes reading a datalog much easier. If you are constantly jamming the accelerator on and off during runs makes the data log difficult to read.		Consistency Use the same gear the same road or same basic conditions.  Runs at 32 degrees in the morning and then again 80 degrees in the afternoon will be inconsistent.  Using the same roads will also help to produce a consistent datalog. Do not perform a run up hill followed by a run down hill. Parameters like boost will be dramatically affected by terrain and load.		Time If you can get the "area of concern" to happen for 5-10 seconds, it will provide excellent data for us to be able to create a new map for you.

Recommended Parameters for specific issues

Send PERRIN Your DataLog

To download your logs you will use AccessPORT Manager, the same software that you loaded our Custom Maps onto your AccessPORT. Before you start…..You must be using the latest version of AccessPORT Manager. If do not have the latest version or are unsure if you have the latest version please follow the link below.

Open AccessPORT Manager on your computer. Connect your AccessPORT using the supplied USB cable. It will connect on it's own and appear in the column on the left of the AccessPORT Manager window. Choose the View Menu, then Advanced (Control-D). You will see all the logs you created (datalog1.csv, datalog2.csv, datalog3.csv etc)  Simplest drag and drop each onto your desktop or right click on each log and download to another directory.

The AccessPORT does not label the logs. It is important to rename the files so you will remember what the data represents. When sending a log to PERRIN, please rename it with the year and model of vehicle, why you made the log and any extra variable about the run. Example= 08STIoverboost3rdgear.csv.

Once you have named properly, attach them to an email and send them to maps@perrinperformance.com. Don't forget to include your name, phone number and any additional information about your vehicle which we might need.

Can I Tune My Own Map??

AccessPORT Race Tuner Software is now available.  Can I tune my own vehicle? Respectfully NO.  There are many many aspects to tuning your engine properly and this is not something for the faint of heart!  You can destroy your engine with one keystroke if you do not know what you are doing. No one becomes a tuner overnight.