STE PPD (DIS Gauge Solution) Review & Installation Write up

[GetBoosted84]

So I bit the bullet and picked up a STE PPD unit and I wanted to post up here with my review of the unit as well as a write up on the install process.

Overview:
So what is a PPD? It's a gauge solution that lets you interface a bunch of gauges all into your existing instrument cluster. It allows you display things like Boost/Vaccum, AFR, Oil Pressure, Intake Air Temps, Oil Temp, Wather/Meth flow, etc. It also has other great features such as peak boost recall & automatic AFR replay, automatic data logging, and a performance run monitor! The performance run monitor lets you get metrics like your 0 to 60, FATS time, etc. And for you guys using the N75 valve, it has user switchable boost maps that you control via your menu control stalk on your steering column if you get the extra module. There is a full list of features over at http://www.getste.com/ and this is just a recap of the coolest features.

Review:
Overall this unit is awesome. It really is plug & play and it makes the DIS in your instrument cluster so much more worth having. So far it is dead on accurate compared to my Zeitronix wideband readings and also right on the money when I compared the boost readings between it & my Podi stepper gauge (and my Zeitronix FWIW). It has a lot of really neat features that allow you to keep from hacking apart your dash or adding in a bunch of gauges in all of your vents. The unit also has upgradeable firmware so when new features become available, you can get a hold of them. One thing to be aware of is where you place your shift light if you spring for that option... not a con or anything but just keep in mind that thing is pretty bright since it has several LEDs.

Also, the customer service over at STE is really quick and personable. I emailed them and received responses back within no more than a few hours. For example, I was asking about taking in a voltage reading from an EGT probe and they were able to really help me out and even update my firmware if I wanted to go that route instead of using one of the inputs for oil pressure or something else.

For anyone who is looking for a reason to fix your missing pixel issue... this is it!

Installation Write up:
I put together a full write up with pictures and everything out on http://ppdinstall.plainbored.com/. The installation is really straight forward and if you have basic hand tools you can throw this unit in your car in less than an hour. I timed my installation time and it took me a total of just under an hour and I was taking pictures the whole time for the write up.



P.S. - I'm not affiliated with STE in any way. Just a happy customer.

[Doug@FrankenTurbo]

I've been running the STE Performance Parameters Display for a month or so. And that was the culmination of 6 months begging and pestering them for a Mk1 TT compliant unit. I have the wideband input and, as of today, a secondary MAP input for metering pressures at the turbo outlet. Here's a look at today's success story



I am running a 75psi absolute pressure sensor, so the reading there is ambient plus a bit more for the charge piping pressures at idle. Set up this way I can log pressures at two separate sampling points -- both able to measure above the car's 22.6psi limit. This is an invaluable asset for anyone modding their Audi. HUGE

[AudiA4_20T]

love it

[joob]

I just found my Christmas present to myself......

[Fink_tha_Audi]

Sorry for thread jacking but i was wondering for the guys who dont have the LCD in their cluster, can we just replace and recode a new cluster into the car? This is a awesome device to have and its basically stock look.

[Doug@FrankenTurbo]

That's a good question for STE. Contact them to find out. But I'd bet you can run the device even if you don't have a compatible LCD.

[B5 Quattro]

Wow.
Thanks for the info guys.
This makes it easy to know what I want.

[Vierings]

Sorry for thread jacking but i was wondering for the guys who dont have the LCD in their cluster, can we just replace and recode a new cluster into the car? This is a awesome device to have and its basically stock look.

I looked into one of these and as of when I talked to them it was only compatible for 2000-01.5 b5 or I would have been all over it.

[jvega21]

...to get this for my 99.5 AEB???

[Vierings]

...to get this for my 99.5 AEB???

That's what I'm hoping. I asked about it. I have a 97 aeb. Not sure if its a motor thing or just LCD. Cause I have the LCD in my car...

[GetBoosted84]

...to get this for my 99.5 AEB???

I'd shoot them an email and ask what the plans are for prior B5 A4 years. Especially since you are a 99.5... you might be close enough to be ok... I'm honestly not sure though. Also, even if they do not currently carry a unit for the 99.5 model then by you emailing them, you will be alerting to the fact that there is interest there. Just my two cents.

[nynoah]

I would wager to say it is not viable for the older A4s. Its the same reason that tuners don't like the pre AWM B5s. The computer just does not measure as much. This product is similar to another product out of the UK that reads OBDII stuff (which is what most of this stuff is coming from) and displayed that to a small screen that mounted in a dash vent.

[jvega21]

I'd shoot them an email and ask what the plans are for prior B5 A4 years. Especially since you are a 99.5... you might be close enough to be ok... I'm honestly not sure though. Also, even if they do not currently carry a unit for the 99.5 model then by you emailing them, you will be alerting to the fact that there is interest there. Just my two cents.

That is a good idea, all the AEB guys should kill their inbox,
Im going to assume its only available for the later B5s is bc of the wideband O2s and the DBW and all the other fancy shit.
But this would be awesome,, maybe if you can wire your own, or their A/F sensor and stuff,.or do the wideband/ DBW swap

[Vierings]

This is what I was told.


[/QUOTE]

Hey Ziggy,

Without getting into too much detail, the older A4s have completely different electronic systems.

However, if your cluster has the Green, Blue, and Grey 32 pin connectors on the back, then the product should be compatible.

Does the rear of your cluster look like this?
[/QUOTE]

[jvega21]

Now would be a good time to check.,

So would it be dependent on the cluster and not so much all the other stuff??

[GetBoosted84]

Well as far as the wideband input... keep in mind that comes from an external 5v input since there is no wideband input that goes into the cluster from the factory. Additionally, the MAP sensor input comes from the onboard MAP sensor that you plug an air line into. But other than those two inputs, yes everything is coming from pre-existing signals that run through your stock cluster harness. Hope that helps.