Autonerdz forums

Last year we did a Nerdz-Convention in April.

I was thinking that I'd like to do it again and in a similar format.

A day of networking, shared case studies, scope technique practice.

I was also thinking that it would be fun to raffle off some gear.

Tentative date of Saturday April 20th.

Are you interested in this event? Do you have a technique or case study you would like to share?

I plan to attend. I will update in this thread if I have something to share.

Truthfully Chase, I haven't been able to put the energy into this project with the other events going on.

Also, we haven't had much interest. 50+ views and only 3 replied to this thread for example.

Its been suggested to choose a date some time in the fall to get away from all the other expos and conventions.

As far as the venue goes, I have a standing permission with the shop I used to work for. They don't work weekends so I can use the shop for classes.

At this point consider Nerds-Con "24 postponed.

Its time to re-launch this project. After taking an extensive poll it seems September would be a better month to schedule a gathering.



Here is the rough agenda that I am using as a framework. Times are flexible.

7AM- 8AM Open networking and chat time. Coffee, and snacks like bagels or something.

8AM- 945AM Session 1

10AM- 12AM Session 2

12-1PM Lunch time.  Have some food catered in.  Maybe have a speaker of some kind?

1-245PM Session 3

3PM until? Session 4

Wrap up and send off.



We will create an event on the website so people can register. To offset the the expenses and solidify your commitment to attend there will be a modest registration fee. What we do will depend on how many people we have register. If there are too many people for a single group/class we will have to adapt.

I invite suggestions volunteers requests for topics or techniques.

Perhaps if I ask nicely Tom R. would be interested in making an appearance.

For those that might be interested in making this a weekend for you and your spouse and/or kids if you have those there will be a large art event going on in Grand Rapids at the same time. Art prize runs from 9/13 to 9/28. I've walked downtown and seen tons of cool sculptures and stuff for years. You can read more about it here. https://www.artprize.org/


Here are a couple ideas I've had that could go into this event.

Have a motivational/leadership speaker for a session or maybe at lunch time. I know a few local people that might be willing to talk that we could also afford.

Do a group dinner afterwards?

Raffle off some stuff.


I will add to this as things materialize. I invite all comments, thoughts, volunteering, requests and suggestions. Post them below.

TrevorSchlientz wrote on May 16^th, 2024 at 1:27pm:


I plan to attend.

TrevorSchlientz wrote on May 16^th, 2024 at 1:27pm:


Schedule/framework looks good. 

In general I would find a motivational or leadership speaker to be beneficial.  I'm always interested in improving in all aspects of life. Though I would think this topic is more applicable to shop foreman or shop owners instead of diagnostics or scope usage. Good leadership results in better attitudes, ethics, and results for everyone in a business.      

Group dinner would be a nice time to network and discuss the days events casually after cleaning up the venue.  I will likely attend dinner.

Raffle could generate more interest. Link the raffle to the website event registration procedure?

I will be in touch if I have something to present or I have more feedback.

Ill be there

I have taken Friday 9/20 off from work. I plan to arrive in Grand Rapids area Friday sometime after 3PM, but may arrive earlier.  My hotel is about 10 miles south of downtown. I'll be staying overnight Friday and Saturday nights at a hotel near I-131 and Hwy 6 in Wyoming,MI. Leaving town Sunday.  I will be driving from Rockford, IL.

I've got a presentation on Parasitic Draw.

NerdzCon 2024 was a success.

We had five Picogroup members make it out this year not including myself and Brian.

Presenters this year were Grant Baker, Sadel Martinez, Frank Bohanic and myself (Trevor Schlientz).

Grant covered parasitic draw and included some interesting case studies where he resolved a draw using a Pico.

Sadel had some captures and pictures that challenged our understanding of just how stable pressures are in a cylinder are while an engine is running.

Frank shared a few captures where he managed to max out the 2000 amp current clamp on a diesel big rig that was hydro-locking.

I mostly just moderated the opening chat session and added details.

We spent a little time practicing with the scope looking at the mass air flow output on a 2024 Altima and attempting to correlate it to a WPS in the intake.

We also got our the NVH and showed the process of the initial setup.

After the event some of us gathered for dinner and drinks.

The picture below was made after the dinner because I forgot to get one at the shop.

From left to right
Brian Haley
Trevor Schlientz
Grant Baker
Rich Bernier
Tera and Sadel Martinez.

Wanted to say that we had a great time, and it was awesome to see everyone in person. Definitely looking forward to more in the future. Thanks for all the work put into holding this event.

Chase Mewes wrote on Sep 27^th, 2024 at 3:56am: