Unless you plan on really building the engine, you should probably just stick to the scangauge type devices. People usually only use laptops when they have independant engine management systems installed, because that type if information takes a lot of logging and space. We use a obd2 complient scan tool that has cartridges for imports domestics. Using that, I can tell you just about anything. We proved a guy was lying about his insurance claim, when he claimed he was going 25mph and lost control due to tire failure. According to the scan tool, he was doing 72mph before losing control when he slammed on the brakes. Also, just so you know, the manufacturer's scan tool, can do anything that the engine computer is capable of, including reprogramming the ecu completely. Ask any GM tech in Hawaii that worked with my co-worker. He had them trying to figure out why the check engine light wouldn't go off, when he just programed the light to stay on.
If you got money lying around you can get one of these.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
Linear Mode
