Racepak Ultra Dash Extreme - Product Review

Imagine yourself playing the role of a pilot flying a commercial jetliner. As you prepare yourself for a routine landing at LAX, you begin to recite those famous words: "Flight 454's landing gear is down and ready for taxi." You begin flipping numerous switches while carefully monitoring and adjusting the hundreds of gauges sitting within arm's reach. Without warning, you feel a sharp slap to the back of your head as your co-pilot gives you the meanest stink-eye. Why would she do that you ask yourself? Then it finally dawns on you, that woman sitting to your right is in reality your girlfriend. And the jet plane you're supposedly piloting? Well, at one time or another, that four-wheeled machine you currently drive resembled a Honda Civic. That was until you decided to plaster the cabin with dozens of tell-tale gauges varying from water temp meters to an oil pressure display, virtually transforming the Honda's cabin into a simulated jet cockpit.

1. Here's a close-up of the... 

   

  read full caption

1.Here's a close-up of the rear connector locations on the DS-UDXSR revealing, from left to right (port B, serial port, V-Net port, and port A). While port A and B are used primarily as the main wiring sources for the Ultra Dash, the serial port can be used to modify dash configurations, such as altering engine rpm display or adding/removing numerous parameters using optional PC software sold though Racepak.

Sure, we understand those orgy of gauges sitting in your Honda was unintentional. You never intended for things to get so out of hand. But at the same time, you needed to monitor your engines vitals as your K24-powered Civic was pounding the ground with 500hp. Your gauge setup worked out well for the first couple weeks, but you've begun to notice that the Disneyland electrical street parade interior began drawing unwanted attention from everyone- ranging from wannabe street racers to your neighborhood cops. You've finally had it with all the problems associated with those damn gauges and are desperately in search of a simple solution to tidy up that gauge-ridden interior. Does this scenario sound chillingly familiar? Chances are, you have already (or will eventually) fallen into this unfortunate scenario. But don't be discouraged. Racepak, located in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., has developed a clever all-in-one digital dash display that eliminates the need for multiple gauges.

2. Connecting the V-Net port...        read full caption 2.Connecting the V-Net port plug with the required Data Link PC software will enable the user to add up to 32 additional channels to the Ultra Dash display. For example, if you wanted to monitor boost pressure you would need to purchase the optional boost pressure V-Net module sold through RacePak. With up to 32 channels of additional monitoring possible with the Ultra Dash, monitoring engine parameters such as EGT has never been easier.

3. Included within the Racepak...        read full caption 3.Included within the Racepak 250-DS-UDXSR package is a water temp sensor, oil temp sensor, and oil pressure sensor.

4. Poor visibility under direct...        read full caption 4.Poor visibility under direct sunlight has always been a concern among consumers when looking to purchase a digital display. The UDX unit displays six easy-to-read channel positions on the LCD and six indicator lights. The lower left channel position can display both numbers and letters, while the other five positions are based only on numerical values.

The Racepak 250-DS-UDXSR dash display was designed specifically for the street vehicle in mind. Features include a speedometer, parking brake/signal/high beam indicator, and easy-to-read tachometer. The most important item is a built-in odometer which makes this digital display legal for highway use; an all-important feature that many competitors don't possess. Combine that with a dash unit capable of monitoring water temp, oil temp, oil pressure, fuel pressure, fuel level and battery voltage, and you have a display that can virtually replace every gauge previously in your vehicle. Measuring 4-inches tall by 10.2-inches wide and 2.13-inches deep, the Racepak UDXSR is compact yet larger than many of its competitors' dash displays, making the LCD display easy to read. When used with the optional software, the Racepak dash readout can be custom tailored to the driver's needs, while optional components can be purchased to datalog up to 32 channels of data at a sample rate of 100 seconds with 1mb of memory storage. Equipped with an external shift light trigger and engine check light feature, the UDXSR display is a hardcore car enthusiast's dream come true. And with an MSRP of $695, we like to think of the RacePak as the smarter alternative solution to that airplane cockpit you refer to as your interior.

5. Use the included template...        read full caption 5.Use the included template to cut a backing to mount your Ultra Dash into your original gauge cluster location. Notice we labeled each of the wires prior to soldering/wiring them onto the proper sensors. Port B to the left will be wired for the external shift light, external warning light (engine check light) and electric fan relay driver output.	6. Unique to the RacePak 250-DS-UDXSR...        read full caption 6.Unique to the RacePak 250-DS-UDXSR is a built-in odometer readout, which makes this unit street-legal on the public highways. A feature many competitors fail to include on their stack display meters.	7. With a simple touch of...        read full caption 7.With a simple touch of the (display) button, the driver has the ability to change screen displays between a Honda S2000-style, swept-bar rpm or a traditional digital readout rpm. Shown above is a more traditional setup with both rpm and mph on one easy-to-read screen.
8. In one package, the RacePak...        read full caption 8.In one package, the RacePak 250-DS-UDXSR can display water temp, oil temp, oil pressure, fuel pressure, fuel level, battery voltage, tachometer and speedometer.	9. Using the RacePak requires...        read full caption 9.Using the RacePak requires you to properly calibrate all sensors to your vehicle's specific application. Holding down the ODO (odometer) button and wait for two flashes to emit from the warning light, followed by a short press of the DISP (display) button, will enable you to scroll through the various parameters such as engine rpm rev warning, water temp sensor type, left and right turn indicator value, and water temp alarm level, among many other features. The FTYP lettering featured above is the setup screen for fuel level sender type. If you're not sure what ohm your sender reads at empty and full, use a voltage meter to read the proper voltage.	10. A quick trip to the local...        read full caption 10.A quick trip to the local supply store netted us some of the proper items in completing installation of our RacePak unit in project Subaru WRX. A spool of 16-gauge wire serves as a more than sufficient gauge in wiring up the sensors, while a 12v light source will be used to wire up the warning and shift lights.