The RACE Systems SnEEC-IV Real-Time Data Logger:

Status as of 9/8/01: Beta units produced.   In Beta since 8/15.  Release date pending further testing. 

Expected release dates: Limited production early October.  Full production in November.  Subject to change pending further testing.

What is the SnEEC-IV?

SnEEC is the first affordable instrumentation quality plug-in datalogging system for the EEC-IV.

If you have an EEC-IV based performance Ford, and need to know the real-time status of the various engine control components and verify proper operation of your ECU, here is your chance to obtain the right tool for the job. 

How does it work?

The SnEEC is a small data aquisition computer that plugs between the Engine Control Unit (ECU, ECM) and the main vehicle harness.  The SnEEC hardware uses high speed microprocessor technology to sample vital signals between the ECU and the engine sensors and actuators.  It converts this data into a digital serial stream which is then transmitted to any conventional IBM compatible laptop or desktop computer running Windows 95/98, 2000, NT, or ME.  The SnEEC software then unpacks, displays, and/or logs the data to disk.  The data can be displayed in "dashboard" form, "scope" form, or logged to disk with or without display for playback and analysis at a later time.  For further analysis, the SnEEC software will export the data into usable form so any popular spreadsheet or database like Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Access can be used to analyze the data...hours worth, if so desired.

Will it work with my car?

The SnEEC electronic architecture is designed such that it should be possible to adapt it to *any* Ford EEC-IV 60-pin harness based vehicle through the use of "personality modules" that plug into SnEECs main circuit board.   At present, our design efforts are Mustang centric and most of the testing is being performed on '86-'95 Mustangs.   However, we will turn our efforts toward developing personality modules to support all other makes and models as soon as the base product is complete. 

What else do I need?  Will it work with my laptop?

The SnEEC software will run on any computer that runs Windows 95 or better.  The connection between the computer and the SnEEC hardware is serial and the communication rate can be configured to any desired range.  Therefore, as long as the computer has an available serial port and as long as you can connect a serial cable between the computer and the SnEEC, it will work.  A laptop is preferred, but not required.  SnEEC will function on any speed computer, however the data rate will be slower on slower machines.  Even on the oldest/slowest machines, the data rate will exceed 10 frames/second.  On slow pentium class computers, the data rate will exceed 100 frames/second.   On modern equipment, the data rate will reach 200-250 frames/second.  Often times, it is not desireable to log data at rates this extreme.  There are provisions in the software to set the maximum frame rate during logging.

In addition, SnEEC is compatible with serial devices such as radio modems.  With additional hardware, it is possible to establish a radio link between a SnEEC box in a vehicle and a stationary computer elsewhere.  This is similar to what the large race teams use to gather telemetry data in the pits while the car is on the track.

Will it work with my chip, chip tuning hardware/software, EPEC, Interceptor, EEC-Compatible aftermarket processor, etc?

Since SnEEC does not depend on anything other than "EEC-IV Compatible Harness Signals" it will work with all such devices and any future devices that are compatible with the EEC-IV harness signals, sensors, and actuators.

What does the hardware look like?

Here is a picture of the internals of SnEEC-IV.  The chassis is not shown.  The chassis in the production unit is a brushed aluminum extrusion.

What does the software look like?

This is a screen shot of an early beta version of the datalogger software.  The current version supports more functionality.  Demo software and a users guide will be available for download shortly.

Reasons you will want this product:

The EEC-IV EFI system is complicated.  The internal self test of the ECU can only identify a certain subset of likely sensor failures...and nothing more.  It can not detect sensors that have "shifted" or have fallen out of calibration.  It often will not detect intermittants.  And, it has no provision for data output except for a single check-engine light that tells you "something" has gone wrong. 

When trying to diagnose problems that the EEC can't detect, the only solution until now was to blindly start changing things until the problem went away...and hope it doesn't come back.  This is not only expensive, but frustrating.   Now, with SnEEC, you can plug in a laptop and verify proper functionality at a glance.  And, if the problem is intermittant, you can log data to disk (hours if necessary) during road testing to find intermittant problems or verify operating parameters in real-world stress-test situations.  It is truly a dream come true for the Ford EEC-IV; something that should have been there from the start.

• Have you ever wanted a tool that could identify an intermittant problem that was hard to reproduce?
• Have you ever wanted some verification that the sensors and actuators in your vehicle operate correctly under all operating conditions?
• Have you ever wondered if your injectors were sufficient and not maxxing out at 100% duty cycle?
• Have you ever wanted to know how hot your air-inlet temperature gets under boost?
• Have you ever wanted a way to datalog boost to see how high it really gets?
• Have you ever wondered how high your boost spikes when you slam the throttle plate closed?
• Is your bypass valve working?  How well?
• Have you ever wondered if your mass-air meter was pegging and rendering your fuel injection system helpless?
• Have you ever wondered how accurately you hit your shift points during a drag pass?
• Have you ever suspected a faulty ECT or ACT sensor and had no good way to check?
• Have you felt a glitch while driving your car or had a problem that only occurred on the road?
• Have you ever wanted to know how accurate your stock tachometer was?
• Have you ever wished for a device that would pull ECU trouble codes and give you a clear report...IN ENGLISH?
• Have you ever wanted an easier way to set your TPS sensor?
• Have you ever wanted a way to test if your oxygen sensors were faulty?
• How do you know your thermostat is really working when you have nothing more than a stock temp gauge?

This is just a small subset of the answers SnEEC can provide. 

What will it cost?

We are working extremely hard to bring you SnEEC at a price that everyone can afford.  Check this page often for updates.  The current expectation is that the product will retail for under $400.00 complete.

When and where can I buy one?

We have been perfecting SnEEC over the past 2 years and have missed our original delivery date by a mile.  Simply stated, we have chosen to take the path of perfection instead of the path of rapid release.  As of August 15, 2001, we are in Beta Testing and as of September 8, 2001 we are pleased to announce that no significant hardware problems have occurred.  We expect to wrap-up beta and finish a production ready model sometime in early-mid October of 2001.

Will you notify me when I can buy a SnEEC-IV?

Absolutely! We are building a mailing list of interested parties. 

Please send email to Byron@RaceSystems.Com and request to be added to the list.