tuning with a logger?? really confused

[AVC-R]

Ok so i have researched this and i still can't find a clear answer. What does a logger do? does it just read the ecu and tell you your values, or can you actually change settings with it. or do you need some sore of piggyback computer to tune. also, i have seen in some forums that a logger doesn't check for knock. But then everyone says to get a logger before you turn your boost up. can someone please set me strait so i can get an idea of what i should get for tuning purposes. any advice would be very helpful.

(oh yea and i know that DSMlink is the best but i can't afford it)

 

[top_end95]

www.pocketlogger.com

You find everything you need to know, but to answer your questions..

You can only monitor with the logger, no changes can be made.
Yes, you will need atleast a SAFC to tune with.
Yes, loggers can monitor knock aswell.

 

[allturbo]

Just as you thought, the logger just reads sensor data from the ecu. The most common and cheapest method of tuning is with a logger and SAFC to adjust fuel. 95's cannot log knock directly, but can monitor timing advance which is indicative of knock when timing gets pulled.

 

[AVC-R]

ok so if i get a logger then i could watch for knock through the timing advance. but how do you know what to look for in timing advance. what i wanna do is safely turn the boost up and not kill my new 6 bolt. i have the AVC-R in my car already. so i would need some sort of fuel controller before i could turn it up or just watch my timing advance to see when i get knock?

 

[shortydtp]

pretty much you can see what the ecu is seeing and tell you what's going on under that hoods from colant temp , to knock. also you can test parts without opening your hood, ie fuel pump, relays, each injector. and so.

 

[bluetlr2001]

On a 2g to monitor knock with your timing you will see your timing drop as your rpms raise. At low rpms it will drop which is usually normal as far as i know. Because you go full throttle it drops then starts raising and if it drops again you are probally getting knock.