I have a new 718 Clubsport with the Cosworth data system inbound. I am trying to get everything I need in advance setup over the winter. I have requested a license for the PI toolkit but had a few other questions:

Any recommendations on which video system to use that integrates well into the Cosworth?

Recommendation for a good pc laptop to take to the track ?

Anything else I need to get to be ready to go with data acquisition when the car arrive?

thanks.

 

Cosworth Toolbox v11 has recently been released. Four levels of capability are available, you can request a free of charge (FOC, in Cosworth speak) license for their base Lite version, which will get you off the ground. Then, there are three other, more powerful versions unlockable using a laptop (hardware-linked) software key, IIRC.

I have not seen the Cosworth AliveDrive video system in the US. A majority of people use, for a video solution, either the AiM SmartyCam GP with integral bridge and external antenna OR the Video VBOX HD2 two camera true high-def system. Both connect to the CAN port on the passenger side door sill, get power and ground as well as car info with one cable. I offer those with whatever system the owner selects.

The SmartyCam automatically creates a 720P video with throttle, brake, speed, g’s, friction circle, lap time, best lap time, lap number, best lap number and a track map, playable in an Apple or Windows computer twenty seconds after returning to paddock for immediate review.

The Video VBOX HD2 produces a 1080P picture in picture video with all car information rendered on the video real time, same as the SmartyCam, but also has powerful software that opens the video within the data analysis window from one SD card. You can do exact side-by-aside video comparisons with all control inputs automatically synced with the data overlay comparison. Search for GT345’s videos, first in a 981 GT4 CS, then in his new 718 GT4 CS, they’re awesome!

If the team has substantial experience with Cosworth or multiple cars, I could see those folks using one of the paid upgrade versions of Toolbox in order to import SmartyCam, VBOX or AliveDrive video into the analysis window, but few if any DAG’s I know do this. Takes too much time. And no one has enough time at the race track...

I am hosting a class on building workbooks, navigating and using Cosworth Toolbox for driver improvement at VIR in the middle of March, also. Registration is on MotorsportReg.

I’m a dealer for all these brands and have a fair bit of experience with the 718 GT4CS video solutions. I can supply turn key solutions in many flavors. Let me know if I can help.

718 GT4 CS cables for AiM and Video VBOX HD2 ready for shipment.

 

Any Windows 10 computer with Core i5/i7/i9 in the last three years will work fine. If you are considering any the video solutions, I recommend making sure the laptop has an SD card slot in it.

 

Thanks for the info Peter. It sounds like I have a couple good video options available.

 

You will also need Pi Toolset to talk to the ICD dash/data logger. The car comes with an ethernet cable. It took me a few tries to get connected.

Do you have access to PMRSI? If not I would also suggest trying to get into the PMRSI system which has the tech manual for the car. They just posted an updated version. That's where I found the instructions for setting up the connection to the ICD .I did not get access until after car arrival and wish I gotten in earlier to review the manual.

Here's the link I used to register: https://motorsport.porsche.com/prod/...CResources.nsf

 

Thanks OP and Coach! I've been researching and head scratching the same thing. If I may add a couple questions-

Peter, in the VBox solution above the analysis of "squiggly lines" can be done in VBox software and/or Cosworth Toolbox, is that correct?

For AIM, the video from Smartycam has key data, but for squiggly line analysis that would be done in Toolbox? or can data logged in the ICD be taken in to Racestudio? Or would that require a AIM logger also?

I have a Solo DL (not Solo 2) and seeing the CAN logger port in the car thought it would be simple to build a DT connector on a surplus AIM CAN cable I have. I emailed AIM and the 718 Clubsport is a configuration option in Racestudio 3 but not 2. They said it was not possible to configure a SoloDL in RS3, only a Solo 2.

I also see in the Tech manual that the Porsche track ap is an option but from what I have read not very interested in that.

For me staying with AIM and Race studio is maybe easier than learning Toolbox.

 

The "squiggly lines" analysis can be done in either Circuit Tools 2 (VBOX) or Toolbox 9/10/11 Lite/Pro/Ultimate (Cosworth). Biggest difference is auto synced video within the squiggly lines window (and side by side, overlay comparisons) in Circuit Tools. More powerful car health/engineering can be done in Toolbox.

With just the SmartyCam video solution, all "squiggly lines" analysis would be done in Toolbox. If someone were interested in getting substantial data from the car in AiM format, readable in Race Studio Analysis, I would recommend a Solo 2 DL/SmartyCam HD combo for the car. Not possible with the Solo DL (first gen, RS2 config) as you've found out.

I can guarantee, especially if you're already familiar with AiM RaceStudio Analysis, that you'll get more out of that right away, and perhaps over time. Toolbox is great, but the learning curve is steeper than Race Studio Analysis. Circuit Tools 2 is the easiest, but limited from a car engineering standpoint.

Let me know if I can help. 718 GT4 CS channel list on a Solo 2 DL plugged into this car is:

 

Now, as you both know, I am primarily concerned with having drivers be able to coach themselves most effectively (or have this information in a form that allows me to identify where and what to work on) the very next session, with minimum turnaround time., so I only need driver control input measures in VBOX Circuit Tools.

IF I need car information, health measures and limited engineering on the car, I open Toolbox. You can make a template from the Cosworth ICD to output to the VBOX, but that is a PITA.

Here is the list for the HD2 driver development channels in the data and on the video.

 

As has been pointed out, for lots of folks getting cars with Cosworth from the factory, it's been a popular choice to add a second logger were the driver, crew, and/or data guy is more literate in the package. Lots of the cars have had MoTeC loggers added along side the factory Cosworth and certainly more than a few have had the AiM packages added.

If you have data from your previous car and other legacy stuff, then AiM would be the way to go. Take the SCHD you have now and move it over. For the $699 retail (deals from the better AiM dealers are available here) for the Solo 2 DL, you'll have a ton of data, know the software package, and integrate the camera you already have. That gets you up and running as fast as possible. Plus, the AiM data gives you some great info like TPMS which can let learn optimum tire pressures very quickly instead of guessing on them (check out my other threads on that).

Let me know if I can help out at all. I'm not a dealer for all the systems, but focus on AiM and can provide any solution possible within that platform.

 

trying to understand, working with and dealing with cosworth is like putting together one of those chinese imported pieces of equipment where the instructions are barely legible and doesnt match the parts.
totally frustrating and unproductive.
i went with the motec c125 kit for , relatively speaking, not that much money relative trying to learn ridiculousness.

 

I think you had MoTeC Joe do your C125, right? One of the best!

 

yes, Motec Joe provided it. i think the motec c125 is the required system in i guess what was the trophy cup series because its almost nealry impossible to find more that a rare soul who knows the cosworth system the way lots of great data folks know motec. im no 'data' guy but i could figure out motec. far more intuitive. cosworth was painful, just painful. plus pmna locks those dashes so yeah, its no biggie looking at speeds in KMH or pressure in Bar and distance in Kilometers, but man, for what we pay for those cars, we should have some adjustability. and the laptiming, forecasted laps ,reference laps in cosworth took it to another level in terms of annoyance and unnecessary complexity. went to c125 and never looked back. old hat.