Knackered old Porsche with loads of miles - 996 content
Discussion
As mentioned previously I wanted to replace the AIM display / logger (G Dash / Evo 5) that had been in the car for sometime. Whilst it's a great bit of kit it was way OTT for the use case of the car and looked a little too motorsport plonked in front of the standard clocks for the cars new GT Car aspirations.
I've been researching who does a small CANBus capable display for a while and hadn't found much that could go in relatively unobstrusively but spotted that Germany based CANChecked had updated their 52mm gauge display to have a few extra capabilities that made it fit the bill, so I got one ordered up!
Key requirements were abiliy to brand it with a splash screen, have sufficent control on the layout so it matched the colour and design influence of the 996 interior, had configurable CAN (as surprisingly no one has done a proper decode of the Mk1 996 CANbus which only exists proerly in the C4
) and supported a basic shift light.
First job was to decode the CAN, I'd done this previously but wanted more channels that I'd had on the AIM (specifically all four wheel speeds and both PPS):
Using an OTS Shiftec CAN Analyser to work out the scaling required to get SIC units out of the raw CANbus data. Some things like RPM are simple 1:1 scalings and some things like coolant temp are proper OEM levels of dicking around to get two decimal places from three numbers.
With that done I made a splash screen in GIMP that matched the wallpaper on the head unit:
All the data comes across a treat and the ability to change text colour etc. on the display layout means it doesn't stand out too much against the stanard orange on black LCDs:
The display layout is pretty configurable with bar charts etc.
As well as having math channels etc. to support selected gear calculation etc. It's got a bit of logging on it (albeit proper bare bones!) and is really very impressive for the cost of it. Configuration is via a web browser and Wifi connection which is something I'm very not keen on but it works well enough for the short and basic config required for something like this, plus it's pretty impressive having Wifi, a web server, a DHCP client etc. built into a 52mm gauge
Very pleased it works as planned as it was the least obvious option I could find without making something from scratch! Plan is to install it in an Autometer column pod:
Which is currently on its way from the States. I'll post an updated when it's all in and I've had chance to use it in anger!
I've been researching who does a small CANBus capable display for a while and hadn't found much that could go in relatively unobstrusively but spotted that Germany based CANChecked had updated their 52mm gauge display to have a few extra capabilities that made it fit the bill, so I got one ordered up!
Key requirements were abiliy to brand it with a splash screen, have sufficent control on the layout so it matched the colour and design influence of the 996 interior, had configurable CAN (as surprisingly no one has done a proper decode of the Mk1 996 CANbus which only exists proerly in the C4
) and supported a basic shift light. First job was to decode the CAN, I'd done this previously but wanted more channels that I'd had on the AIM (specifically all four wheel speeds and both PPS):
Using an OTS Shiftec CAN Analyser to work out the scaling required to get SIC units out of the raw CANbus data. Some things like RPM are simple 1:1 scalings and some things like coolant temp are proper OEM levels of dicking around to get two decimal places from three numbers.
With that done I made a splash screen in GIMP that matched the wallpaper on the head unit:
All the data comes across a treat and the ability to change text colour etc. on the display layout means it doesn't stand out too much against the stanard orange on black LCDs:
The display layout is pretty configurable with bar charts etc.
As well as having math channels etc. to support selected gear calculation etc. It's got a bit of logging on it (albeit proper bare bones!) and is really very impressive for the cost of it. Configuration is via a web browser and Wifi connection which is something I'm very not keen on but it works well enough for the short and basic config required for something like this, plus it's pretty impressive having Wifi, a web server, a DHCP client etc. built into a 52mm gauge
Very pleased it works as planned as it was the least obvious option I could find without making something from scratch! Plan is to install it in an Autometer column pod:
Which is currently on its way from the States. I'll post an updated when it's all in and I've had chance to use it in anger!
I've not been happy with the brake pedal feel now things are a little bedded as it just seemed a touch on the soft side. Clearly some air stuck in the ABS valve block and I've got all the gear to bleed it properly so how hard can it be?
Well how's this for a bodge!
All because Durametric is somehow broken in the latest version an no longer runs the boost pump when commanded which makes carrying out the "book" process to do this impossible. When faced with a take it to Porsche, find out if a £200 Chinese diagnostic thing that promises ABS bleed functionality really does or bodge a solution I picked the latter. So here we have an EZ Bleed at 20PSI (off the A2s spare ) with a bench power supply directly feeding the PSM/ABS Pump with a vacuum bleeder on the calipers........ It worked 
The process was pressure up the master cylinder res, apply vacuum at the bleed nipple then power the boost pump as the nipple was cracked. About 200ml of fluid was pulled through each caliper to make absolutely sure all the air was out.
So if anyone is stuck for bleeding their C4 or Turbo then this is a workable solution!
This is one of the last bits of the final commissioning process really, I'm waiting on a few final bits that need to go on but it's about at 500 miles in for the post build bolt check and then it's ready for some proper use
Well how's this for a bodge!
All because Durametric is somehow broken in the latest version an no longer runs the boost pump when commanded which makes carrying out the "book" process to do this impossible. When faced with a take it to Porsche, find out if a £200 Chinese diagnostic thing that promises ABS bleed functionality really does or bodge a solution I picked the latter. So here we have an EZ Bleed at 20PSI (off the A2s spare
) with a bench power supply directly feeding the PSM/ABS Pump with a vacuum bleeder on the calipers........ It worked The process was pressure up the master cylinder res, apply vacuum at the bleed nipple then power the boost pump as the nipple was cracked. About 200ml of fluid was pulled through each caliper to make absolutely sure all the air was out.
So if anyone is stuck for bleeding their C4 or Turbo then this is a workable solution!
This is one of the last bits of the final commissioning process really, I'm waiting on a few final bits that need to go on but it's about at 500 miles in for the post build bolt check and then it's ready for some proper use
Excellent choice and that looks like an absolute peach!Thanks PPBB - it seems to be a rare spec:
2001 (2002 MY) 996.2 Carrera 2
Manual
Non-sunroof
No PSM
Factory switchable sports exhaust
In love with it - a true modern classic which you have to focus on when driving, particularly so in the wet. Replaces a 987 which although a great car, felt a bit sterile compared to my previous 986. Feels like nothing else I’ve ever owned and I hope will be a keeper.
Back in the garage after a trip out in the rain today:
2001 (2002 MY) 996.2 Carrera 2
Manual
Non-sunroof
No PSM
Factory switchable sports exhaust
In love with it - a true modern classic which you have to focus on when driving, particularly so in the wet. Replaces a 987 which although a great car, felt a bit sterile compared to my previous 986. Feels like nothing else I’ve ever owned and I hope will be a keeper.
Back in the garage after a trip out in the rain today:
Filibuster said:
I really like those wheels! GT3 iirc?
But I was under the impression, that all .2 cars wheee e-throttle an thus PSM (ESP). Only early .1 C2 where cable throttle with old fashioned traction control.
It was only standard on the 996.2 Carrera 4’s, was an option on the Carrera 2’s…But I was under the impression, that all .2 cars wheee e-throttle an thus PSM (ESP). Only early .1 C2 where cable throttle with old fashioned traction control.
I stand corrected! This is the price list for the Carrera/Targa for Germany from 06/2004.
PSM was indeed an option on all 2wd 996 through the entire life cycle (with the exception of specials like the 40 Jahre). It was standard on all 4wd 996 tough. And according to my research, PSM was not available on any GT 996.
PSM was indeed an option on all 2wd 996 through the entire life cycle (with the exception of specials like the 40 Jahre). It was standard on all 4wd 996 tough. And according to my research, PSM was not available on any GT 996.
Slowly working through the last items on the list! The gauge pod arrived from Autometer in the US the other day so this is now in. I modified the original upper column cover to route the loom internally and this picks up on the original cable retaining clips present on the column so it's all very OEM in there vs how the old AIM display was mounted!
I think it worked out pretty well:
The sight lines to the stock dash are very good with only the clock and check engine light not fully visible without a head move, it's a vast improvement on the old G-Dash which obscured everything from the top of the centre display down and obviously is much better integrated with the interior too. I've still got a bit of setup work to do on it but I've got all the CAN I want worked out now so it's just a case of setting up some screens etc.
Does a nice power on logo too:
The Rennline fire bottle mount has also arrived too. Again a far nicer solution than the previous setup which allows for a bit of seat adjustment amongst other things. Just need to make a bottle mount adaptor up for it now.
I've almost run out of things on the to do list!
I think it worked out pretty well:
The sight lines to the stock dash are very good with only the clock and check engine light not fully visible without a head move, it's a vast improvement on the old G-Dash which obscured everything from the top of the centre display down and obviously is much better integrated with the interior too. I've still got a bit of setup work to do on it but I've got all the CAN I want worked out now so it's just a case of setting up some screens etc.
Does a nice power on logo too:
The Rennline fire bottle mount has also arrived too. Again a far nicer solution than the previous setup which allows for a bit of seat adjustment amongst other things. Just need to make a bottle mount adaptor up for it now.
I've almost run out of things on the to do list!
nebpor said:
"Shurely" it's to replace the speedometer backing?
I've actually got a brand new dashpack for it..... but fitting that would mean it went back to zero miles 
I'm not sure if the sticker is actually over a normal set of black dials or not, either way it's not the best bit of engineering. The irony being my Boxster has the same silver dial option but is immaculate.
I think I can swap the PCB between packs so that might be an option but to be honest that particular defect has become part of its charm..... my first post on PH about it was complaining the speedo needle got stuck on it
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