Best ideas /companies for data logging on a budget?
say, 5 to 8 channels?

I suppose it depends on what sort of inputs you need to data log. I've been using the 3 channels of data logging capability that are built into the Holley Sniper EFI setup. They are pressure only channels on the Sniper so I'm limited to things such as fuel pressure, oil pressure, transmission pressure, pan vacuum, brake pressure, PS pressure, etc. If you want temp and velocity inputs then you have to step up to something else.

i would like :
afr ( right and left banks preferably but could get by with one )
rpm
manifold vacuum
driveshaft speed
g force

fuel pressure, oil pressure etc would be nice but budget just isn't there.
Rough winter for me health wise and i'm way behind on work.

Look into RPM PERFORMANCE Data logger DL10 basic setup.
Very reasonable and they have excellant customer service.

A Holley Terminator EFI system would get you data logging for AFR, RPM, Manifold pressure, Manifold Temp, Coolant Temp, Ignition timing, fuel pressure, and oil pressure. It also has 4 additional inputs which could handle driveshaft speed, oil temp, brake pressure, etc. And you get start retard, high speed retard, launch control, warning limits on the sensors, etc. For another $500 you can add traction control..........

hard to beat a Racepak sportsman, 800.00 range. ReSale on them is great if you ever decide to not use it

Talk to the guys over at DIYAutotune.com about on of their mega squirt EFI controllers. You can make a very capable data logger out of one and later have the benefit of being able to go fuel injected or just have it control your ignition. A side effect of most EFI systems is the ability to data log.

https://www.rpmperf.com/data-loggers.html

Cant beat this product for the price.

Holley sells a logging dash part #553-109 i think. It has a built in gps speedo, accelerometer, and comes with oil pressure, air temp sensor, and water temp.

i think it sells for around 1000-1100 but it has a really nice digital dash that comes with it.

Ha....I use my GoPro....poor mans data logger right there...lol

I am carbureted and went for what is the best and that was RacePak.

Innovate. It gets expensive when you start buying sensors especially the Racepak.

Otherwise the RPM is good value. It also depends how much you want to do yourself to save money.

I have a racepak sportsman and through some faults of my own, and RP issues... I’ve hardly used it. Something else I NEED to spend some time with.

Major electronic learning curve!!

I use an AEM AQ1, I can log 8 channels plus it has a CAN to BUS input.
I log the following:
Fuel Pressure
Oil Pressure
Crank Case Vacuum
Oil Temp
Trans Oil Temp
Drive Line Speed
RPM
G-Force
Trans Brake Release
On the CAN to BUS the following:
AFR Right/Left
8 EGT's

I did it for way less than RacePak

Thanks guys.
Biginchmopar: I'm used to the software from AEM so- thats something.

Thanks everyone, as usual, I get a good range of information .
In this case, to my surprise, I didn't find a solution I was hoping for which was- cheap! grin
I really just wanted to add driveshaft speed to what we are already taking ( afr/engine vac/rpm ) and was shocked that everything I looked at was well north of a grand to get set up and running.

What i learned here confirmed my research- data logging "costs what it costs" no matter which route you take.

I could get into EFI with data logging already there for about what Logging alone costs- but , we have a ton of money tied up in carbs right now.
I do think we may go that way when we do the Charger build though.

So, i'm down to comparing apples to apples at least .

Thanks again for everyones time to help.

next question for you Race guys:
How much did having driveshaft speed and g force data help you with chassis tuning?

Is that on your boat Jay?

I bought the Racepak Drag logger dash. Not cheap

In one instant it cost me quite a bit of money.... we saw how the engine was being pulled down when the t-brake was released and adjusted the torque converter to a bit softer hit which in turn made it very VERY consistent off the line. Naturally after a season we pulled that trans for a new more unmanageable combo

J: I just blew dr. Pepper right out my nose laughing!!!
You "have a way " with words!
hahahahahaha