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The P3Cars vent integrated digital interface (vidi) gauge plugs into the car's standardized OBD plug in the left footwell. Run the cable up to the driver's left air vent (above the headlight switch). P3's digital gauge is integrated to the stock vent for a clean and almost factory-looking appearance. Minor trim removal is required for access during the install but this is really a plug-in installation that takes no more than 30 minutes if you're taking your time.
P3 has developed software that draws data from the OBD plug. This plug is along the same CAN BUS information superhighway that the engine computer and body modules use for communication. It's the same plug that dealerships and shops use to scan and read fault codes or update electronics. In fact, the P3 vidi gauge also funtions as a fault code reader and clearing tool (for generic OBD "P codes"). The P3's plug can be un-installed for access to the OBD port by your mechanic or state inspection station.
With access through the OBD port, the full range of features on the vidi gauge is almost limitless. But for simplicity and ease-of-use only the most important and useful data is displayed: intake air temp, exhaust gas temp, coolant temp, boost/vacuum, ignition timing, throttle position, uncorrected speed, RPM, a shift light, battery voltage, acceleration timing, and brake timing. It will also save and display peak values for each parameter, allowing you to go back and analyze what's been happening. See below for a more in-depth description of each parameter. Other P3Cars features are a color matched display and automatic dimming with your other gauges. It can be configured to display either English and Metric units.
In keeping with the Motorsport and Performance heritage of Turner Motorsport the Turner Exclusive edition comes complete with additional performance timers. These additional acceleration timing features are performance measurements we figured our core customers would love most. 0-60 is joined by timing for 0-100 and braking from 60-0 and 100-0. These features are perfect to measure performance gains in a consistent way, storing your best time of the session. Adding an intake and software package? Well record the difference it makes in 0-60 and 0-100 times!
Not only is this data informative and, at times, entertaining but it also allows you to evaluate and analyze your car's performance. The acceleration timer is obviously useful in evaluating horsepower upgrades but also in critiquing launch settings and technique. Ditto for the braking timer in analyzing the differences in brake pads or pedal application. Or use the peak recall function to see how much the traction control system is closing the throttle to reduce power output (might be time to upgrade to that limited slip...).
In addition to the data captured from the OBD plug, the P3Cars kit comes with three universal analog inputs. For instance, if you wanted to display Air/Fuel readings you can use an analog line to your AFR wideband sensor in the exhaust. You can tap into chargepipes for actual boost pressure or reading boost on aftermarket supercharger kits (works great on boosted M3s!). Or monitor before/after intercooler temps. On turbo engines you can monitor methanol injection. Or monitor transmission or differential fluid temps. Or just about anything else you can imagine. The P3 gauge becomes your own custom dash just like a race car. Additional parts and gauge configuration will be required when using any analog inputs. The P3 wiring works with any analog 0-5V sensor which is the standard among universal sensors.
This gauge upgrade will be one of the best mods you make to your car! It looks like a factory part, retains the function of the left side vent, and displays a wealth of useful information. You will be enjoying and utelizing this upgrade for as long as you own your car!
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Intake Air Temp Displays the temperature of the air from within the airbox. Cooler air is more oxygen-rich which will burn better in the combustion chamber. On naturally aspirated engines you can evaluate temps with or without a cold-air intake. Or make adjustments to your intake's heat shield to better seal it from hot engine air. On forced induction cars you can see the efficiency of intercooler operation. |
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Exhaust Gas Temp Displays the temperature of the exhaust in the header before the catalytic converter. From this measurement you can judge air/fuel ratios - a hotter temp indicates the engine is running lean. |
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Coolant Temp Displays the coolant temperature. Many engine maps and the engine tuning is based on the coolant temperature. When temps get too high the engine computer will dial back the timing which helps reduce temperature. You can monitor your cooling numbers and decide if a cooling upgrade will benefit you. |
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Boost/Vacuum Forced induction cars have the option for monitoring boost. On an N54 engine (2007-2010 cars), and cars with an aftermarket turbo or supercharger, a vacuum line must be routed to the intake chargepipe and plugged into the P3 gauge. On N55 (2011+ cars), the gauge can read boost data from the OBD port without running a vacuum line. This data can be displayed in realtime through the P3 gauge. You can also run an analog probe into the chargepipe and have it display here as well. This gauge is so useful we install one in nearly every supercharged E9X M3 we build here! |
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Ignition Timing Displays ignition timing. This may be useful for judging the quality of gasoline brands. Poorer fuels will lead the engine computer to draw back the timing. Higher quality types will resist knocking more and the engine can run with more timing. |
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Throttle Position Displays the throttle open position as a percentage - 0 = closed, 100 = full throttle opening. This is the perfect tool to monitor how much the traction control system intervenes in your acceleration. Monitor the max value for throttle position coming out of corners. Too little throttle opening and the traction control is intervening a lot. Add a limited slip unit to your differential to shift power to the wheel with the most traction and watch your throttle opening peg to 100! |
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Uncorrected Speed Displays your actual speed without any correction. The standard speedometer has a correction factor that makes it read higher than actual at normal speeds. This feature is also very useful for determining trap speeds on racetracks. You can use it to verify that the new line you took resulted in greater speed at the end of the straighaway. |
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RPM Displays actual engine speed, before being corrected at the tachometer. |
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Shift Light You can have a shift light set in any display mode. The light is pre-set to match whatever the programmed rev limit is for that gear. |
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Battery Voltage Want to check and monitor your battery condition? Maybe you have additional electrical draws from stereo or in-car entertainment. Use this data to ensure you have the correct voltage to support your system. |
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Acceleration Timing - a Turner Motorsport exclusive! 0-60 acceleration 0-100 acceleration These runs are repeatable - it records your lowest time and resets the timer back to 0:00 when the speed comes back to 0. You can make hard accel runs all day and it will remember your fastest time! |
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Braking Timing - a Turner Motorsport exclusive! 60-0 braking 100-0 braking Repeatable, same as the acceleration features above. |
