Thanks alot mate! I made a little bit of progress on the drive by wire computer tonight..

The input scaling is done, which allows you to simply select "Max" or "Min" throttle mode, press or release the throttle pedal whilst pressing the "UP" button, and it will store the range of motion of the pedal.

The computer will then calculate the scaling factors. The video below shows the 1 bit DAC i built into it to emulate the stock throttle position signal. As the pedal moves through its range of motion the output on the DAC is always 0.5v - 4.5v. So no matter what i do with the throttle setting, i will never have to recalibrate the ECU..

The video shows the response rate, sorry for the mess, jumper wires everywhere..

 

Tah Dah!

The drive by wire computer is done!

I dont have the servo yet (expensive) to build the actuator, but the unit was tested and developed using my bench scope so it works perfectly. The unit has been calibrated to my Audi pedal and can be changed at the touch of a button. During an extensive test of 2 hours with a generic motor connected to the 6v internal PSU the system worked perfectly and the resolution stayed the same.

The computer's reaction time is as quick as you can move the pedal, there is NO lag.. Any lag seen by the system will be down to the servo, hence the cost lol

On an interesting note, the Audi throttle pedal has a built in ramp. I expected it to be a linear resistance that changes as you press it. I was going to design into the processor some profiles for faster throttle response and better drive ability ,etc. Interestingly as you press the pedal at low throttle, it requires significantly more movement. However, when you reach about 70% throttle, the response is dramatically increased.. This should lead to very good drive ability, especially over bumpy roads lol

 

Very cool. Why not use an servo from another car? (i.e. Nissan's VQ35's. Large bore, OEM quality (maybe not the best, but usable.))

I'm just talking out of my butt... as this is way over my head. But, sometimes a dumb person can give smart(er) people ideas.

:D
-Andrew

 

So Chris, you were thinking that you'd have to re-engineer a piece of German engineering? Those guys engineer things for problems that most people can't even dream would exist. lol

 

Man, you aren't kidding. I've been off the Honda forums for a while since I got my Jetta that I've almost turned in to a rally car - long story short, it is an amazingly well designed vehicle in virtually every sense. Frame rails are even coated on the inside with wax to prevent rust.. ever.

Sounds like you are making some really good progress on your car. Keep on truckin'

 

Oh no nothing like that. OEM stuff is the best, thats why i went for an audi throttle pedal..

The only thing is that the throttle body is matched to the plenum, i didnt see the point of having to machine an adapter when i could just add the mechanism to ..

I would use OEM any day.. I even have an audi brake vacuum pump, MR2 power steering .etc, at least its interchangeable if it breaks..

 

I gotcha...

I'm sure you've already researched the different sizes... Even the K series don't fit close enough? I suppose the bolt pattern is part of it...hence the need of an adapter.

ANYway... I'm sure you've got it figured out.

Keep having fun! I look forward to more updates :D

 

Better late than never...but this is ridiculous! So want to do this so my Subaru doesn't feel left out! Awesome build man!

 

A good shout mate, however its more because i already had the throttle body lol..

Plus the OEM ones have built in capilaries .etc for idle and heating. My throttle was built matched to the plenum, so not only is it a perfectly smooth transition, there is already no heating, no valving, the seals match up and there arent any bolt holes to match up.

Im using a Futaba high torque precision servo. It will slew 60deg in 0.2 seconds. Basically the reaction time faster than i can press the pedal.. Ive also over compensated for the range of motion as obviously the throttle will move between say 5deg (idle) and 90deg (full throttle). So i have designed the linkages to compensate for the difference in the range of motion from 60deg of the servo to 90deg of the throttle

 

Here is my latest project.. Received the parts today, im busy with a project for someone else, but i couldnt resist quickly assemblng it..

all the text and graphics are backlit the same as the dash.. sorry for the poor pictures..

 

now thats a sweet mod...

wish I had neighbor that could cut custom pieces like that.

 

Thanks mate!

Its funny, a few people have expressed an interest in something like this..

 

Chris, I'd be interested in a cluster like yours. PM me a price.

 

Little tiny update.

Ive been really busy building a project up for somebody. Unfortunately ive failed on the deadline which im a bit gutted about..

Last night, whilst eating my tea lol, i assembled my steering wheel controls (should have seen the looks the wife was giving me)..



The white rectangle is actually the 4x 7 segment displays. For some reason its reflected perfectly white.. This is a multifunction screen which will show speed / current lap time / miles till empty .etc



Really sorry about the bad picture, the camera doesnt like dark and light in the same image..

 

lol you Brits eat your tea??

Whats youur plan for the back of the wheel to keep the mess of wires tidy?

 

Ha sorry lol its a Lancashire thing..

Breakfast, dinner and tea.. Plus i drink my cups of tea by the bucket load..

The wires come through the panel and out of the back, some will be done like you see on the WRC cars where you can see the wire but its tidy inside heat shrink. The big bulk of wires from the shift light .etc will all go to a plastic box which will be mounted on the back and cut to shape. This will cowl all the wires in and provide room for the processor circuit..

To save on wires, im putting the shift light controller in that box and there will be a TTL RS232 link between the dash computer and the LCD driver, so only 1 wire there..

 

F1 power!!!


so sexy!!

 

Does Michael J. Fox take the majority/all of your pics?

 

oooh lol

my phone camera and garage camera are awful lol, hence why im allowed to use them

we have a canon DSLR but the wife banned me from using it too often on account of the time i got copper grease on it lol

ill try and improve my photos in future lol

 

Done a little bit of work today

Finished a custom cluster i have been working on so had a little time to do a couple of outstanding jobs of my own..

1) made a hot wire cutter, out of wood and resistance wire.. This will allow me to cut large lumps of styrofoam for the intakes

2) wired the 7 segment displays up, and quickly rigged the whole steering wheel for a look;

 

Finally received my roll cage today.. Had a month long battle after i had paid for it (second hand) but finally won and received it..

Its nothing special, a Cusco 6pt bolt in cage.. I decided a long time ago to put the back seats back in so the beauty of the bolt in cage is that the rear crossmember can be removed temporarily for rear seat passengers...

 

Decided to do the drive by wire pedal bracket.

 

nice sparco pedal covers!

 

Lol i know.. I bought them years ago during my younger days...

I think i got a voucher i had to spend at the local modifying shop and thought, meh..

I thought about removing them but i dont have the original rubber pads anymore.. Im not too fussed.. Just a stupid thing to have bought in the first place, its not like you can see them lol

 

Awesome display setup! Definitely reminds me of watching F1's and stuff! :D

Super neat.

RE: Pedals... In my CRX I pulled the rubber off and put some "grip tape" (like from skateboards) on the bare metal. I liked it. Made them feel smaller/nimble. I know it's placebo, but that's about 90% of the driving experience is... feeling good!

You're gonna feel like an astronaut in that thing... lol!
Is it going to be driven on the streets?