[DeTomaso] Fw: More cruise control issues

Mon Aug 31 19:51:22 EDT 2009

Chris et al:

What you guys need is the speedometer adapter/VSS generator that is sold by a speedo shop
in Michigan.  Do a search in SOBill's database, and it will show up.  As I remember it
costs about $120.  It's specifically made for our ZFs, and is a drop in install.  

The tech was correct... also knowledgeable... kinda.  The magnets on the driveline have
been used by the aftermarket cruise control kit makers for years.  Sears used to sell that
kind of system for all the old Detroit iron that didn't come with a cruise control.  

The other advantage (at least I think so) of using a VSS is you can install a good
electronic speedo!  Makes a huge improvement.  Especially if you've wanted to go to a
white face instrument that you can actually see, or if you wanted to change the Veglia
out, for a modern tach.

I'm attaching pictures, but you guys on the list... sorry...  

>>>>Don't be sorry!  Use the Registry!

http://www.provamo.com/Members/Registry/RegistryImages/RTHPNNR05829/RTHPNNR05829.asp

Do you have night photos showing how well the gauges can be seen?

Someone recently added photos of their gauges at night, and they looked GREAT!

Chuck
(The Registry Guy)

The 5 inch Autolite Ultralite Pro series speedo and tach are a "drop in" replacement, and
work perfectly.  Plus they're very easy to calibrate... which can be important if you have
non standard tires. The instruments below have all the same indicator lights that the
Veglia's have, and they plug straight into the original harness. 

Chris

Chris Difani
'73 L #5829 "LITNNG"
The Electric Pantera
Sacramento, CA
Email: cdifani at comcast.net 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Christopher Kimball" <chrisvkimball at msn.com>
To: <asajay at asajay.com>; "Pantera List Serve" <detomaso at realbig.com>
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2009 11:12 AM
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] More cruise control issues

> 
> Well, then I guess I'll have to figure out a way to use the magnets (which I'd rather
avoid) or the speedometer cable (which I prefer).
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Chris
> 
> 
> 
>> Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:26:36 -0700
>> From: asajay at asajay.com
>> To: detomaso at realbig.com
>> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] More cruise control issues
>> 
>> -That- brought back memories.
>> 
>> I used an old CompuCruise computer in an older car of mine that had a  
>> manual transmission.  The Tach signal was only -one- source of input  
>> for the cruise control.  The others were the brake switch and the  
>> third was a set of magnets attached to the drive line and picked up by  
>> a nearby sensor.  -That- was the speed sensor.
>> 
>> The tach adapter can NOT be used as a speed sensor.  After all, you'll  
>> get the same rpm in 1st gear, second gear, third, etc.  i.e. 2,000 rpm  
>> in first is one speed, while 2,000 rpm in 5th is totally different.   
>> You -can't- use the tach as a speed sensor.
>> 
>> The tach sensor was designed for two purposes, one to monitor the  
>> engine -was- running and two, if the rpms increased by xx amount over  
>> yy time, then it would cut out the cruise control to prevent the  
>> engine from over-revving.
>> 
>> The brake signal was of course to cut out the cruise if the brake was applied.
>> 
>> The magnet sensors are the only reliable way to measure vehicle speed.  
>>   Many OEM installs do this one of two ways.  They either have a  
>> similar speed sensor assembly mounted at the hub (toothed wheel with  
>> pickup like a crank sensor), or they put a device in-line with the  
>> speedometer cable (more old style if I recall now).
>> 
>> So, I think the tech is correct, you'll need to install some kind of  
>> speed sensor.
>> 
>> Asa Jay
>> 
>> 
>> Quoting Christopher Kimball <chrisvkimball at msn.com>:
>> 
>> >
>> > Today I called MSD for some clarification on the wiring of my new   
>> > electronic cruise control, and the tech I got said a few things that  
>> >  made me question his expertise, so I thought I'd bounce some ideas   
>> > off the forum to see what y'all think.
>> >
>> > Although most of the wiring is now clear to me, the guy said the VSS  
>> >  wire must somehow be attached to the drive train.  He said magnets   
>> > attached to the u-joints or a speed sensor in line with the   
>> > speedometer cable were my only options.
>> >
>> > I asked if there wasn't some wire I could take from the MSD AL6 box   
>> > I'm using, or the MSD tach adapter I also use, but he said no, it   
>> > had to be from the drive train due to the fact the signal has to do   
>> > with speed and not the tach RPMs.  It seems to me the RPMs would   
>> > register speed exactly like the drive train would, the faster you   
>> > go, the faster the RPMs in any given gear.  Keeping the RPMs   
>> > constant would naturally keep the speed constant, too, so  I see no   
>> > reason why some kind of signal from the tach wouldn't work as a   
>> > speed signal.  Any thoughts?
>> >
>> > Have any of you had success with the electronic cruise control, and   
>> > if so, what did you use for a VSS signal?  Is there a metric signal   
>> > generator that will work with our metric ZF speedometer cable?
>> >
>> > Thanks for your help.
>> >
>> > Sincerely,
>> >
>> > Chris
>> >
>> >
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