So, while most of us gen1 guys got their dashhawks years ago, I just got one now. Figured I'd do a brain dump of all the research and information I've pulled off of various forums for anyone else that could benefit from it.
While I have a Cobb AP I wanted the DH for live monitoring of multiple parameters -- I don't leave my Cobb plugged in all the time. The DH will be. Also, because the datalog graphs are more sexy. (To me, they're easier to read than the AP's .csv)
First off, it seems like the lead software developer left MSD and support is waning. Also, for you 2010 guys some of the gen 1 PIDs are not supported. So you might not be as happy with it as I am.
Software installation:
Would not work on Windows 7 64 bit no matter what I tried. I ended up using a 32-bit Windows Server 2003 VM, because that's what I had laying around. 32-bit Windows XP will work too. The key takeaway here is that the dashhawk software is very picky, and VMware is your friend.
1. Install software and drivers. Link to software: http://dashhawk.com/downloads.html
2. Reboot
3. Plug in dashhawk. DH screen turns red.
4. Fire up DH util
5. When connected, DH screen turns green.
My dashhawk came with the latest firmware (2.51 i think) so I didn't have to update it. I am glad this is the case because the dashhawk.com website is a giant pile of shit, and their web app crashed when I tried to register myself as a new user.
Basic DashHawk Setup:
I did almost all the setup connected to my PC (well, VMware image).
"Measurements section" info - From Car and Driver / a nice post on MSF I think:
Coefficient of drag: 0.32
Frontal area: 25.5 sq ft
Drag area: 8.2 sq ft.
Curb weight: 3180lb
Curb weight per horsepower : 12.1 Lb
Metric units - had to go into settings/configuration on the unit itself while plugged into OBD2 port.
Main screen colour - to match our amber gauges this is what I like best:
Red 255
Green 3
Blue 0
Contrast 40
Display mazdaspeed logo on startup: Just import the following .bmp into the splash screen editor. +2 hp!
Live monitoring setup:
Screen 1 - Boost/Vac, Actual AFR, diret inject fuel pressure, Trip time (clock my drives to work for amusement)
Screen 2 - LTFT, STFT, actual coolant temp (ECT), boost temp (BAT) or intake air temp (IAT)
Screen 3 - could be 2 bar graph with LTFT/STFT with "normals" enabled.
...more to come as I tweak it...
Alert setup:
In my opinion, this is where the unit really shines. You can set up alerts to change the screen colour or blink+beep at you when stuff is going on. That means I can keep my eyes on the road or the civic in my blindspot trying to do a ricer flyby, and adjust my driving accordingly if it hits an alert condition.
First off, I want the unit to display blue on a cold start, then go to the normal amber colour once I'm up to normal operating temps. This gives me a visual indication of when it's okay to get into boost. (E.g. I live 2 min from the gardiner so my car is always cold when I hit the on ramp. When it's -18 out I'd like to know when it's sufficiently warmed up so I can stop driving like a grandmother).
I set this alert to coolant temp < 180, blue. BUT I might need to change this to 82.2 now that I flipped the units to metric. (180.F = 82.2 .C). I also have alerts setup when it's over certain temps, but I don't remember what those are offhand.
3 stage shift light at 5500rpm, 6000rpm, 6500rpm (green, green/yellow, flashing yellow) [needs tweaking]
turns purple if the engine starts to knock (knock retard >1), bright purple on knock >3 and red beeping omgwtfbbq alert at knock>5 (cue fast and furious - danger to manifold!!!11)
turns yellow when i exceed 140km/r... orange at 160... red and beeping at 200 (I think I need to tweak this one - but thanks to mps for the idea)
Mounting solutions:
The CP-e is expensive for what it is, and I've read a number of mediocre reviews that make me hesitant to shell out anything more than $30 for it.
I found this instead: http://shop.aftermarketgaugepods.com...Mount-M3DH.htm But haven't ordered. The contact info lists a 519 area code, so it's local (Cambridge/London).
PID index (quick reference):
PID Where
--- --------
AbsLoad spark/load
AbsTPS actuators
ActAFR mazda - fuel
Ambient Air Temp temperature
BAT mazda - air
Boost/Vacuum air
Cat Temp Bank 1 Sensor 1 sensors
FuelPressDI fuel
Ignition Advance spark/load
Intake Air Temp temperature
IPW mazda - fuel
Knock mazda - spark
LTFTB1 fuel
Mass Air Flow Sensor air
RPM sensors
STFTB1 fuel
WGDC mazda - actuators
MAF volts mazda - sensors
** Credits: Various posts over at MSF, Mazdas 247, and of course here.