PLEX PCA-2000plus®
Decipher Combustion. Thrive on Data.
Our latest combustion analysis system embodies over a decade of our expertise in crafting highly-versatile and portable in-cylinder pressure measurement & analysis solutions.
With fully redesigned electronics, expanded control & configuration options, enhanced functionality, vastly improved software, and increased accuracy, the new PLEX PCA-2000Plus® guarantees industry-leading capabilities at accessible pricing.
- AVAILABLE WITH 4, 8 OR 16 HIGH-SPEED ANALOG INPUTS.
- ALSO SUITABLE FOR INTAKE/EXHAUST PRESSURE & VALVE MOTION ANALYSIS (SpinTron).
| From 9.350 € Excl. VAT & Sensors |
PLEX PCA-2000Plus®
PORTABLE COMBUSTION ANALYSIS 2.0
“The PLEX PCA-2000plus Combustion Analyzer is designed for all major engine types, including spark-ignition, compression-ignition, and high-performance forced-induction racing engines.”
Whether you’re analyzing small UAV or light aircraft engines, marine engines, high-performance racing setups, or emerging hydrogen and biofuel systems across various vehicle sizes, the PCA-2000plus delivers precise, reliable data. Combining portability, accessibility, and affordability compared to higher-end systems, it’s an essential solution for development, calibration and research professionals worldwide.
KEY FEATURES
COMPACT AND RUGGED
DATA-LOGGER
EXTENSIVE TRIGGER WHEEL
PATTERN SUPPORT
POWERFUL AND VERSATILE
ANALYSIS SOFTWARE
FLEXIBLE HIGH-SPEED
ANALOG INPUTS
SEAMLESS REAL-TIME DATA STREAMING
POWERFUL MULTI-CORE PROCESSOR
BUILT-IN GNSS, IMU AND BAROMETRIC SENSORS
HIGH SPEED CAN COMMUNICATIONS
UPGRADABLE HARDWARE
AND SOFTWARE
USE CASES - APPLICATIONS
Combustion analysis is a critical tool for optimizing engine performance, efficiency, and durability. The PLEX PCA-2000plus provides in-depth combustion data, including critical metrics such as peak pressure (Pmax), crank angle at peak pressure (Pmax CA), volumetric efficiency, heat release, and more. These measurements allow engineers to assess combustion behavior in detail, optimize fuel usage, and prevent issues like detonation, misfire, or incomplete combustion.
The PCA-2000plus is essential for anyone working to enhance engine performance, from tuning high-performance engines to developing new combustion technologies. It’s particularly valuable for those in the following fields, providing accurate data to fine-tune combustion parameters and improve overall engine efficiency.
PERFORMANCE TUNING ENGINE CALIBRATION
- Optimizing performance by analyzing knock intensity and Pmax (maximum combustion pressure) to ensure reliability in high-performance and modified engines.
AFTERMARKET PRODUCTS
DEVELOPMENT & APPLICATION
- Assisting workshops in re calibrating engines to utilise added components to the maximum.
PROFESSIONAL
MOTORSPORTS
- Utilizing real-time, cycle-specific combustion data during races to optimize performance, adjust parameters on the fly, and prevent knock or abnormal combustion.
OEM DEVELOPMENT
AND TESTING
-Monitoring critical metrics like knock intensity, Pmax, and volumetric efficiency across all cylinders and cycles to maintain optimal combustion stability and performance.
RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
- Testing and validating new fuels or combustion technologies (e.g., hydrogen, biofuels) for enhanced performance and environmental sustainability.
ALTERNATIVE FUEL
SOLUTIONS
- Ensuring compatibility with alternative fuels through cycle-specific data such as MFB CA50, Pmax, and knock intensity, helping to maintain performance across different fuel types.
UNMANNED ARIAL
VEHICLES (UAVs)
- Analyzing combustion data to enhance endurance and reliability in various flight conditions.
- Supporting UAV manufacturers and operators in fine-tuning engine performance to meet mission-specific requirements.
INDUSTRIAL ENGINES
OR GENERATORS
EDUCATION AND
RESEARCH
- Equipping automotive engineers and technicians with knowledge about combustion dynamics and system optimization.
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Pmax & Pmax CA
dPmax & dPmax CA
Start - End of Combustion
Burn Angles
Volumetric Efficiency
Pre-ignition & Misfire Detection
Torque - Power
Knock Intensity - Max Pressure - Energy
Knock Max Pressure: The highest positive peak of knock pressure oscillations.
Heat Release Graph % max. Value & max. Value CA
IMEP Net, Gross, Pumping
Pumping IMEP: Effective pressure calculated from the intake and exhaust phases of the cycle.
Net IMEP: Effective pressure that directly contributes to useful work output.
MFB Graph & CA50 - CA90 Values
CA50: The crank angle position where 50% of the fuel mass has burned, calculated for each cycle.
CA90: The crank angle position where 90% of the fuel mass has burned, providing insight into combustion duration.
OUR HIGH-SPEED, HIGH-PERFORMANCE HARDWARE.
The new PLEX PCA-2000Plus Combustion Datalogger has been engineered from the ground up, integrating the latest advancements in electronics and signal processing to deliver high precision, reliability, and scalability.
Designed to meet the demands of modern combustion analysis, it provides cycle-by-cycle, per-cylinder insights with exceptional accuracy, giving engineers the data needed to optimize performance, efficiency, and durability. The logger supports 4, 8, or 16 high-speed analog channels and remains adaptable through firmware updates. Whether you’re tackling today’s combustion challenges or advancing future engine technologies, the PCA-2000Plus is built to support your evolving needs.
OUR HIGH-SPEED, HIGH-PERFORMANCE HARDWARE.
The new PLEX PCA-2000Plus Combustion Datalogger has been engineered from the ground up, integrating the latest advancements in electronics and signal processing to deliver high precision, reliability, and scalability.
Designed to meet the demands of modern combustion analysis, it provides cycle-by-cycle, per-cylinder insights with exceptional accuracy, giving engineers the data needed to optimize performance, efficiency, and durability. The logger supports 4, 8, or 16 high-speed analog channels and remains adaptable through firmware updates. Whether you’re tackling today’s combustion challenges or advancing future engine technologies, the PCA-2000Plus is built to support your evolving needs.
With a built-in 25Hz concurrent multi-GNSS sensor (Global Navigation Satellite System) the PCA-2000Plus can correlate combustion data with vehicle dynamics.
By synchronizing combustion parameters (e.g., Pmax, CA50, heat release rate) with speed, acceleration, and location, engineers can analyze how different driving conditions (e.g., uphill, high-speed, stop-and-go) influence combustion efficiency and engine performance.
The built-in 100Hz IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) provides acceleration, angular velocity, and orientation data, which can enhance combustion analysis in several ways:
- Chassis & Drivetrain Dynamics – By correlating engine combustion data with vehicle motion, engineers can assess how combustion events influence acceleration and overall performance.
- Load Variation Analysis – Engine performance varies with vehicle dynamics (e.g., incline, cornering, or weight shifts). IMU data helps correlate combustion efficiency with real-world operating conditions.
- Lap-Time & Performance Correlation – In motorsport applications, combining combustion data with IMU-based acceleration and yaw rate enables deeper performance analysis, helping optimize power delivery and cornering efficiency.
In the new PCA-2000plus, we’ve integrated a built-in barometric sensor to measure atmospheric pressure—an essential factor in accurately assessing engine performance. This allows for precise correction of calculated engine torque and power based on real-time atmospheric conditions.
Our system features two CAN Bus 2.0B interfaces with fully configurable receive and transmit functionality. The PCA-2000Plus can log up to 512 data channels (+ 512 flag channels) from any CAN-equipped device and synchronize this data with combustion pressure measurements for a more meaningful analysis.
Build-in 1GB (expandable).
SENSOR TYPES
Optical pressure sensors, such as those developed by Optrand, utilize fiber-optic technology to measure pressure in harsh environments, including internal combustion engines, turbines, and industrial systems. Unlike traditional piezoelectric or strain-gauge sensors, optical sensors rely on light transmission through fiber optics to detect pressure changes, making them highly durable and resistant to electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Key Features & Advantages:
- High Temperature Resistance: Optical sensors can operate in extreme temperatures (e.g., 400°C or higher) without requiring cooling.
- Durability: With no electrical components exposed to the measurement environment, these sensors are highly resistant to mechanical wear and contamination.
- EMI Immunity: The fiber-optic nature of the sensors ensures they are unaffected by electromagnetic interference, making them ideal for engine testing and industrial applications.
- Accuracy & Stability: They offer precise, long-term stable measurements without signal drift, which is common in other sensor types.
Applications:
- Combustion Pressure Monitoring: Used in real-time in-cylinder pressure measurement for engine research, calibration, and knock detection.
- Aerospace & Industrial Uses: Suitable for high-temperature and high-pressure environments in gas turbines, power plants, and hydraulic systems.
- Automotive & Motorsport: Applied in performance tuning and emissions research to optimize combustion efficiency.
Optrand is a key player in this field, offering fiber-optic pressure sensors with innovative designs for automotive, industrial, and scientific applications. Their sensors provide real-time, high-fidelity pressure measurements crucial for advanced diagnostics and optimization.
Piezoelectric pressure sensors, such as those developed by AVL and Kistler, are widely used for high-precision pressure measurements in demanding applications, particularly in internal combustion engines, gas turbines, and industrial processes. These sensors rely on the piezoelectric effect, where specific crystals generate an electrical charge proportional to the applied pressure. This makes them ideal for dynamic pressure measurements with high accuracy and fast response times.
Key Features & Advantages:
- High Sensitivity & Accuracy: Piezoelectric sensors provide precise, high-resolution pressure readings, essential for combustion analysis and research.
- Wide Pressure & Temperature Range: Capable of operating under extreme conditions, withstanding pressures up to several thousand bar and temperatures exceeding 400°C (with cooling or thermal protection).
- Fast Response Time: Their ability to capture rapid pressure fluctuations makes them suitable for in-cylinder pressure monitoring, knocking detection, and transient pressure measurements.
- Compact & Robust Design: These sensors are built to endure harsh environments while maintaining stability and reliability.
- Charge Amplifier Compatibility: Since piezoelectric sensors do not produce a continuous DC output, they require a charge amplifier (e.g., AVL and Kistler signal conditioning units) to process the signal.
Applications:
- Combustion Pressure Measurement: Used extensively in engine research and development for performance optimization, emissions reduction, and fuel efficiency improvements.
- Knock Detection & Tuning: Essential for high-performance engines and motorsports applications to detect and mitigate knock.
- Industrial & Aerospace: Applied in gas turbines, hydraulic systems, and pressure pulsation monitoring.
- Explosive & Shock Wave Testing: Used in scientific and defense applications to measure extreme pressure events.
Both AVL and Kistler are industry leaders in piezoelectric sensor technology, offering high-precision, durable, and thermally stable solutions for combustion analysis and other demanding engineering applications.
Spark plug pressure sensors integrate high-precision pressure measurement capabilities directly into a functioning spark plug, allowing real-time in-cylinder pressure analysis without modifying the cylinder head. These sensors are widely used in engine research, calibration, and motorsports to optimize combustion, improve efficiency, and detect knock.
Spark plug pressure sensors are an excellent solution for non-invasive in-cylinder pressure measurement, offering high-speed, real-time data for combustion optimization, knock detection, and performance tuning. However, they come with trade-offs, including higher cost, potential durability concerns, and compatibility limitations. For temporary engine testing, calibration, and R&D, they are a practical and effective alternative to direct in-cylinder pressure sensors.
Intake and exhaust pressure sensors are high-precision transducers designed to measure dynamic and static pressures in an engine’s air intake and exhaust systems. These sensors play a crucial role in engine development, turbocharger tuning, emissions research, and performance optimization, providing real-time data on pressure fluctuations that influence combustion efficiency and airflow dynamics.
Key Features & Advantages:
- Wide Pressure Range: Capable of measuring both low and high pressures, from vacuum conditions in the intake manifold to extreme pressures in turbocharged and high-performance exhaust systems.
- High-Speed Response: Essential for capturing rapid pressure changes in forced induction and high-performance applications, enabling precise control of boost pressure, exhaust backpressure, and EGR systems.
- Robust & Heat-Resistant Design: Built to withstand high temperatures and harsh environments, particularly in exhaust applications. Some models feature cooling elements or remote sensor mounting to improve durability.
- Piezoelectric & MEMS-Based Options: Leading manufacturers like Kulite, Kistler, and AVL offer piezoresistive (MEMS) and piezoelectric-based sensors for different pressure measurement needs.
- Critical for Turbo & Emissions Optimization: Helps in fine-tuning boost pressure, wastegate control, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and aftertreatment systems to improve engine efficiency and reduce emissions.
Applications:
- Turbocharged & Supercharged Engine Tuning: Monitors boost pressure, intake manifold pressure, and exhaust backpressure for optimal forced induction performance.
- Exhaust System Development: Assists in analyzing pulses, flow restrictions, and aftertreatment efficiency for emissions compliance and performance gains.
- Internal Combustion Research: Supports combustion and airflow studies by providing critical data on intake and exhaust dynamics.
- Motorsports & Performance Optimization: Used in high-performance applications to maximize power output while maintaining reliability.
Leading manufacturers such as Kulite, AVL, Kistler, and others provide high-precision intake and exhaust pressure sensors designed for extreme conditions, enabling real-time performance monitoring, emissions reduction, and advanced engine calibration.
COMBUSTION ANALYSIS SETUP
CRANK TRIGGER SETUP
HIGH-SPEED INPUTS SETUP
EASY TO NAVIGATE
SETUP TREE INTERFACE
COMMON USER INTERFACE
FOR ALL PLEX DEVICES
WYSIWYG DASH PAGE
LAYOUT DESIGN
TRULY FAST CONFIGURATION
REAL-TIME CAN MSG STREAMING
BUILT-IN TEMPLATES
SIGNAL SCOPE GRAPH
CYCLE GRAPH
PV GRAPH
MULTI CYCLE GRAPH
CYCLE VALUE PER CYLINDER
STATISTICAL DISTRIBUTION GRAPH
BINNED DATA GRAPH
CUSTOMIZABLE UI
to latest Windows SW suite and also light & dark modes.
FAST KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
MULTIPLE GRAPHS & PANELS
EASY FILE COMPARISON
LIVE DATA UPDATING
SMART TUNING MAPS
TRUSTED BY GREAT COMPANIES
Since 2012, our combustion analysis systems have been selected by a wide range of companies, from renowned race engine builders to universities, UAV companies, and mining energy solutions providers. Below is a representative list of customers who trust our systems to conduct reliable combustion analysis, helping them improve efficiency, optimize performance, and identify hard-to-detect engine issues.
PCA-2000PLUS WINS INDUSTRY AWARD
DATA & ELECTRONICS SOLUTION OF THE YEAR 2023!
DETAILED SPEC

| Dimensions (mm) | w 100 x h 100 x d 25/39 |
|---|---|
| Weight | 250g |
| Connector(s) | Souriau Motorsport |
| Material | CNC machined aluminum |
| Sealing/Ingress Protection | IP67 |
| Supply Voltage Range | 9-24V DC |
|---|---|
| Current Consumption | |
| Temperature Range | -10 to +50 degC |
| CAN Bus | 2 (2.0B) |
|---|---|
| RS-232 | 1 |
| LIN Bus | 1 |
| Ethernet | 1 (100Mbit/1Gbit) |
INPUTS
| Analog/Digital 0-5V | 4 |
|---|---|
| Analog/ Digital 0-16V | 4 |
| Thermocouple | 4 (Type K) |
| High-speed Analog | 4/8/16 (± 2.5V to ± 2.0V) Single-ended or Differential
|
| High-speed Digital/Frequency | 4/8 (5V/16V) |
| Engine Position | 2 (VR, 2x Hall) |
OUTPUTS
| AUX high-side | 2 (lim 3A) |
|---|---|
| AUX Low-side | 2 (lim 3A) |
| LEDs | 3 (RGB) |
| Accelerometer | 3 axis (± 16g, 100Hz) |
|---|---|
| Gyroscope | 3 axis (100Hz) |
| IMU | calculated roll, pitch, yaw |
| GPS | 25Hz Multi-GNSS |
| Real Time Clock | with battery backup |
| Device/Sensor Voltage Monitor | +12V supply/+15V sensor supply |
| Device Temperature Sensor | Yes |
| Barometric Pressure Sensors | Yes |
| Memory | 1GB (option for up to 32GB) |
|---|---|
| Max. Log Rate |
|
| Engine Log | Yes |
| Max Data Channels | up to 512 |
| Max Flag Channels | up to 512 |
| Max. Data Channels | up to 512 |
|---|---|
| Max. Flag Channels | up to 512 |
| Lap Times | Yes |
|---|---|
| Acceleration Performance | Yes |
| Engine Power & Torque | Yes |
| Math Channels | 16/32/tba |
| Trip Meters | 2 |
DEVICE COMPATIBILITY
| Optrand | Plug-in |
|---|---|
| Kistler | Requires charge amplifiers |
| AVL | Requires charge amplifiers |
| Adaptronic | |
|---|---|
| AEM |
|
| Bosch Motorsport |
|
| Carrot | |
| DTA |
|
| ECUMASTER |
|
| EFI |
|
| Electromotive TEC | |
| Emerald |
|
| Emtron | |
| E-Race Black | |
| GEMS | |
| Haltech | |
| Hondata |
|
| KMS |
|
| Life Racing | |
| LINK |
|
| MAXX | |
| MARELLI | |
| Mectronic |
|
| Megasquirt | |
| Microtech |
|
| MMe |
|
| MOTEC |
|
| Pectel |
|
| Specialist Components |
|
| SYVECS |
|
| Triject |
| BMW M2/M4 |
| MItsubishi Evo X |
| Toyot GT86 |
| OBD – CAN ISO15765 |
| OBD – MODE 22 MANUFACTURER SPECIFIC PIDS |
| OBD – UDS |
| J1939 |
| NMEA2000 |
| PDU Ecumaster |
| PDU HP Elektronic |
| PDU Life Racing |
| PDU Motec |
| PDU Syvecs |
| PDU Tremondi |
| PDU MSEL Master Relay |
| ABS Bosch Motorsport M4/M5 |
| DCU Motec MDC/MDC2 |
| KEYPAD Blink Marine |
| KEYPAD Tremondi |
| LAMBDA AEM |
| LAMBDA Ecumaster |
| LAMDA Haltech |
| LAMBDA Link |
| LAMBDA Motec |
| SENSOR AEM Thermocouple Amplifier |
| SENSOR KMS Thermocouple Amplifier |
| SENSOR KMS Flex Fuel |
| SENSOR KMS Speed Sensor |
| SENSOR Motec E888 |
| SENSOR Syvecs Thermocouple Amplifier |
| SENSOR TEXENSE IRN4C/IRN8C/THN4X |
| SENSOR AIM TPMS |
| SENSOR IZZE TPMS |
| TCU XAP ESHIFT2 |
QUESTIONS? ANSWERS.
| Datasheet | download |
|---|---|
| Pin-out Diagram | pending |
| Mounting Diagram | pending |
| User Manual | available to customers only |
| PLEX Device Manager 2.0 | download |
|---|---|
| PLEX PCA-WIN 2.0 Combustion Analysis Software | available only to customers |
| 1. Logger | ![]() |
|---|---|
| 2. Souriau/TE Connector with Pins | ![]() |
| 3. GNSS Antenna | ![]() |
| 4. Ethernet Cable (7m) | |
| 5. Cable for device resetting | |
| 6. EGT Sensor(s) – Optional | |
| 7. xxxxx | |
| 8. xxxxx |






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