MountainRunner

Hi Guys, A few of you know I have been working on a 4WD Torque Split Controller for some time now. I have been working with some QLD members and testing at Qld Raceway. The results have been very good. The features of the Controller are: 1. Live display of the longitudinal and lateral G forces on the front LCD. 2. Live display of the front toque demand (dash gauge) on the front LCD. 3. 5 possible mapping strategies of the lateral G force signal. 4. In cabin toggle switch to select between two handling setups live. 5. Data logging output of the three signals at rates of up to 20 samples/sec to a laptop, PDA or memory module for post run analysis. 6. Windows software for datalogging, configuration and saving of setups. The Latergal G Signal Maps: Map 1: This map is a straight line. When set with a scale factor of zero (0), this map is the same as the factory and does not alter the signal. This map could be thought of as proportional and adjusting the scale factor is the same as adjusting the dial on other split controllers. Map 2: This map brings on the front torque from the outset getting higher as the cornering G Force increases. Map 3: This map brings on the front toque slightly slower than factory at low cornering G’s, but as the cornering G’s increase the front torque ends up higher than the factory curve. Map 4: This map starts off following the factory curve, but slowly increases the front torque split as the cornering forces increase. Using this map, the car will handle as factory until the cornering G’s increase. Map 5: This map applies less front torque than the factory until very high G cornering where it meets the factory curve again. There are diagrams of these maps in the operating manual. The Scale Factor: The scale factor determines how much the selected map is ‘bent’. It can be thought of as a volume control. Making the lateral G force signal stronger or weaker. The scale factor is a percentage change from the maps normal position. The maximums are an 80% increase or 80% decrease of the map. If the scale factor is greater than zero, then there will be more torque spit applied, if the number is less than zero, there will be less. Changing the scale factor is a way of fine tuning the selected map to bring in, or out, the front wheel torque more or less depending on the corners being driven. The Toggle Switch: The toggle switch is an external On / Off switch that is used to select between two different setup strategies. The two options are “Toggle On” and “Toggle Off”. By simply flicking the switch the handling can be changed instantly. A setup strategy comprises of both a selected map and a scale factor. For example, a possible two strategy setup could be: Toggle On: Map 2, Scale 40 Toggle Off: Map 4, Scale -15 On a particular track, the driver might flick the switch to the ‘On’ position for the sweeper at turn 1 and 2, and flick the switch to the ‘Off’ position for the off camber hairpin at turn 3. With the two strategy setup, the driver has less compromise at each corner being able to select between two possible optimized setups. Data Logging: The data logging output has been added so that post run analysis can be performed objectively. Having the longitudinal G, lateral G and the reading on the torque split gauge allows full analysis of a particular setup. Operating Manual: I have attached the operating manual of the Controller (the above info is extracts), please download it and feel free to send me any comments or questions. The box is made from aluminium. It is machined, hard annodised and laser engraved. I can make them in Black, Red, Blue, Gold, Purple. The Controller is now ready for sale. The first batch has been sold and I am about to start on the second. The price is only $659.00 (plus delivery). If you would like one, please PM me. Thanks. Paul 4WD_Controller.pdf

Hey SirSkyline, did you get my email ?

lol. I went to talk to the owner. Only had a coffee while I was there.

mmm garlic. Your making my hungry.

It was a good night, sorry I had to run. Good to meet some new people. I'll make sure I stay for the All You Can Eat next time !! Paul

Put me down. Can only stay for about an hour though. Paul

I would like to thank Michael (jetman) and his lovely wife for the hours they spent with me on the Manual. I also love it. lol. Seriously though, its guys like Michael, Pierce, Mick and Rajon who make this sort of project possible. They have spent countless hours giving me feedback and performing testing. Giving their time and cars to help out. We wanted to make sure these units were solid. I want to also thank the guys who have PM'd me and bought the first units. I know this is a new product, and having guys willing to give them a try means a lot. And thanks also to the guys who took the time to download the manual, have a read and give feedback. This is a great forum, with people happy to give their honest feedback. I think Sam would agree with me, with the launch of his VING website !! Paul PS: There are three units in this family, so I eagerly await your feedback on the other two as I get the manuals finalised!!!

Oops, I forgot to put this in the events section, can someone move it. Thanks Paul

Hey Guys, I have added both of you to the list and sent you out the email about the day. No instructor this time. Although you can get a lot from chatting to the guys in Group 1 and also if you get one of them to ride with you in the passenger ride section to get pointers. I will look again more into the instructor option in the future. Also the full Hall of Fame has been updated at: www.TimeAttack.com.au Paul

Hi Guys, The next track day will be on TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12. It will be a Full Day event, ran as two half days. The email will come out shortly. If you are not on the mailing list and want to join in, PM me your email address and I will add you to the mailing list and send you out the full details. See you there. Paul The format will be: Morning: Clubman Circuit National Circuit Afternoon: Sprint Circuit Sportsman Circuit

Yes you can use the gain control to bend the curves in the direction of more torque to the front or less. Curve 1 will be symetrically more or less based on gain. Curves 2,3,4 can be adjusted to give more or less, but do increasingly apply the signal as the lateral acceleration increases. Any quesitons or comments on the manual ? Paul

I was checking out the site (nice work) and noticed on the events page, people spelt wrong: Meet great poeple!! Don't forget to put the next track day in there !!! lol Paul

Hey Dan, why do you say that? All GTR's use the ATTESA system to control when the torque goes to the front wheels. They do have different algorithms between models to determine when the torque is distributed. But the theory on adjusting the lateral accelerometer is the same. The way the controller works is to trick the ATTESA into thinking that the car is either cornering harder or softer than it really is. Thus having it determine it needs more or less torque to the front wheels. I have only been testing on R32 GTR's as they are the guys I know. Paul

Ska, yes the gain can be set to negative. The range is +80% to -80% of the selected Map. DiRTgarage - I am looking at building a dedicated drag racing version. We have had a few preliminary brain storming sessions about it. What I need is a few guys who want to help with the R&D and testing. If anyone is interested, and does drag their GTR, PM me and I will organise a meeting between us. A few in the group would be ideal. We can keep the skyline community posted on our progress/ideas and get suggestions through another thread. If anyone has any comments about the manual etc, please post them up or PM me. I want to try and make it the best I can. Paul

Hey guys, thanks for the positve feedback. I designed it around three ideas. First was the Julian Edgar unit, so Map 1 emulates what it does, changing the gain is the same as turning the dial he had. Setting the device to Map 1, Gain 0 is like running stock. The second idea was that the GTR turns in really well, but suffers from oversteer on corner exit. The more power you have the worse it gets. So the curves of maps 2, 3, 4 allow the car to handle as stock on corner entry but bring in the front torque harder on exit. Using the gain you can bend those curves to bring it in slightly more / less on corner entry and also on exit. Allowing fine tuning. I think this would also be great for the R33, R34 which drive the front wheels a lot more than the R32. Thus not increasing the load during normal driving. Of course if need to increase the front torque on corner entry you can adjust the gain positive. The third idea was that on a race track any setup for one set of corners is a compromise on the other set. At QLD raceway, turns 1 and 2 are high speed sweepers, whereas the next few turns (if running Clubman or Sprint) are off camber, tight and a slower speed. So I added the ability to switch between two full setups while driving. You just choose your spot on the track to toggle the switch. Less compromise = quicker laps. I also put the ability to datalog the lateral and longitudinal G force for handling analysis. Then added a channel for the 4WD Split Gauge on the dash so you can 'see' in the data what effect your setups are having. Allowing post run analysis. hrd-hr30, you are correct. This device is ready to go. I am making 4 at the moment and 3 have already been ear marked by track day guys. Paul

Sounds like a turbo timer to me. They are not legal as far as I know.

Hi Guys, I have been developing a 4WD torque split Controller for the GTR. We have been testing it at track day in the White R32 GTR "Cut" and in Michael's Blue R32 GTR. The feedback has been very positive with both these drivers impressed with the results. As several guys have taken an interest in the project at track day, I thought I would post up the operating manual so you can get the full picture of how it works and what it does. I have also attached another picture showing the size installed in a R33 GTST. The picture is of another project I am working on, but the case is the same size and gives a good idea of how good it looks. The case is anodised aluminium with laser engraved wording. Please have a read of the manual (the pdf below the pictures) and let me know what you think. Paul 4WD_Controller.pdf

If it is the same computer setup I don't see why it would not. Probably need to have a closer look.

hrd-hr30, Yes that was him in the White GTR. I'll put a post together tonight then with the manual and a description of how it works. Paul

Its my manual and my device 100% (I'm an Electronics Engineer). Just wanted to make sure it was cool to put it up. And yes, Qld is No.1 !!!!! Paul

Hi, I have finally got the operating manual for the GTR 4WD Controller I am building almost finished. A few guys have been interested in the controller as it has been seen at my track days being tested. The White R32 GTR, number plate 'cut' was testing it (came 2nd on May 2) as well as the die hard blue GTR. Can I post the manual here and a brief description so you guys can see what I'm building, or is that against the forum rules. I'd prefer to keep it to the Qld section at this stage as I know you guys. I don't want to cause any problems so I thought I would ask first ? Thanks Paul

List in first Post updated.

Link to Images http://www.s1-media.com/july4/

Your too kind. The record list in the sticky post has been updated. Enjoy. 2006 Time Attack Challenge Results Paul

Yea man, no problem. I'll get into it on the weekend and update the record lists etc. Just taking a few days off after the event.