ecu

im not sure where to post this but i was wonderiing how u wouldhook up a laptop to get perfprmance readings from ur car and to program the ecu

You need to buy an interface cable and software.

http://www.scantool.ca/wgiobdiihw.asp

This link is for an OBDII interface - you're probably OBDI, so search around.

is there any specific name for them? The car i plan on getting is most likley OBDI, would a nissan be the ISO port?
Thanks

you don't get performance readings. you get CE light codes, and other diagnostic info.

If you want to hook up a laptop and tweak settings and such, you will most likely have to run a standalone computer. OBDI ECU's are typically hardwired, and the only thing you can do with them is to make lights blink in code for diagnostics. TO run a standalone, you first have to buy one (about $1000 and up) and hook it up to your car. They come with an assortment of sensors (IAT, AFM, ECT, CAS, A/F ratio, EGT, O2 sensors) that you install into your car (or replace the stock ones with) and then run them to the standalone computer, which you can then hook up to a laptop and mess with settings. This is not terribly easy to do, and you have to know what you're doing to program the ecu just to make the car run period, nevermind tuning for performance. But if you're willing to tackle this then you might want to look into haltech, microtech, wolf3d standalones off the top of ym head.

so a standalone is a programable ecu system, where can i find more info on them, aem has a plug and play one for a 92 240sx for about $2000

OH those plug and plays are decen too. they also have iggyback systems. Look on google for all the manufactureres because i cant remember what they all are. they'll have a lot more detail concerning engine management systems on their own websites.

Haltech, Motec, Apexi, Microtech, AEM, Autronic, Wolf, Yoshimura, these are a few that i found, I am going to call Excessive Autosports in Sioux Falls tomorow and see if they know anything about the EMS