Since I don't have access to a dyno or a track, I did the next best thing: I bought myself a little piece of hardware called the Tazzo Vehicle Performance Computer:



No, it's not a radar detector, but it can detect a few things like:

0 - 60 ft times:



0 - 60 mph: {picture not shown}

1/8 mile times and top speed: {picture not shown}

1/4 mile times and top speed: {picture not shown}

Windowed horsepower:



60mph - 0 stopping distance:



Acceleration (in g's)




For the acceleration test, if you mount it sideways, you can measure g's when doing turns.

Quite a handy, little tool to test out your latest pedrformance mods. It evens has a calibration mode where you can adjust its output to match whaever you actually run at the track.

 

hey thats kinda nice...Where and..how much did you get it for?

 

Car and Driver had a big review on all these performance monitoring devices in one of the last two issues... not sure if it is on their website.

 

$99, from Afterthoughts Auto, plus $10 shipping. Here's the link:

http://www.afterthoughtsauto.com/noname12.html

 

huh. wow that's a really good price. and pretty functional. how's install?

 

Very easy to install.

First, place the unit in the middle of the car, making sure that it is aligned in the direction of travel. The easiest way to do that is to sit between the front seats and place the unit directly in front of you (you can use the rear view mirror or dash vents as a guide).

Next, after making sure that the unit is facing straight ahead, attach the four suction cups to the inside of the windshield. What I do is to place it on the dash, move it into alignment, and then slide it back against the windshield glass.

All that is left is to plug it into the cigarette lighter.

The reason why it has to be centered on both axes is because it uses them as points of reference in determining speed and distgance travelled.

BTW, when I am not using it, it fits conveniently inside my center console.

 

I found it (the C&D article) - they even talk about the Tazzo meter mentioned in this thread:

Thank me later

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=1

 

Nice...Its a good price too. I'll have to get one on the next pay day...

 

wow, quite a handy device...

 

I read the C&D article. Very good, except that they were slightly wrong in saying that the Tazzo can only run one test at a time. When you run the 1/8 and 1/4 mile times, it also displays the 60ft times.