Alfa Giulia / Stelvio Dashboard Interface

A real-time telemetry interface for Alfa Romeo Giulia / Stelvio dashboards, using two MCP2515 CAN modules.
It reads live data from SimRacing games and controls a real Alfa Romeo Giulia/Stelvio OEM cluster via CAN bus, closely emulating factory behavior.

🚗 Features

• ✅ Full support for Alfa Romeo Giulia / Stelvio instrument clusters
• ✅ Compatible with both Arduino and STM32 platforms
• ✅ Dual CAN Bus communication:
  • 500 kbps (Powertrain CAN)
  • 125 kbps (Infotainment / IHS CAN)

☕️ Like the project? Buy me a coffee!
Your support helps keep dashboards alive and wheels spinning.

🎮 Supported Simulators

🧱 Architecture Overview

🔌 Serial Protocol (PC → MCU)

ASCII lines in format {KEY[VALUE]}, one per line.

Example:

{RPM[3100]}
{VEL[88]}
{TMPOLIO[64]}
{CARB[54]}
{MARCIA[3]}
{MEDIA[Best Lap: 1:45.872]}

📁 File Structure

📁 Alfa-Romeo-Giulia-SimRacing.zip        --> Arduino / STM32 code
📁 Python.zip                             --> Games Support / Windows
📁 ARG_SimR.zip                           --> BeamNG Mod*

*place ARG_SimR.zip in

C:\Users\%User%\AppData\Local\BeamNG\BeamNG.drive\current\mods

or equivalent folder

🔧 Software Requirements (Board Side)

• Arduino IDE
• Supported Boards: Arduino all variants
• MCP2515 Library: MCP_CAN by coryjfowler

Installation Steps

1. Open Arduino IDE
2. Go to Sketch → Include Library → Manage Libraries...
3. Search for "MCP_CAN by coryjfowler"
4. Click Install

📦 STM32 Arduino Support (Only for STM32 Boards)

1. Open Arduino IDE
2. Go to File > Preferences
3. Add this URL to Additional Board Manager URLs:

https://github.com/stm32duino/BoardManagerFiles/raw/main/package_stmicroelectronics_index.json

4. Go to Tools > Board > Boards Manager

5. Search for STM32 and install:

   • STM32 MCU based boards by STMicroelectronics

6. Set the following:

*STM32F401CCU6 Black Pill, adjust according to your board

🔧 Config.h — Firmware Configuration

This is the only file you need to edit to adapt the firmware to your setup.

Platform Selection

#define STM32

Uncomment if using STM32. Leave commented for Arduino.

Optional CAN Module

#define CAN2_OPTIONAL

Enable second CAN bus (IHS).

⚠️ STM32 users must physically disconnect the unused CAN2 module or it may cause SPI instability.

Optional Features

// #define MY23   // For 2023 clusters (shift light handling)
// #define SHIFT  // Enable shift light for 7" TFT only

#define LEVEL_1 5400 // rpm value
#define LEVEL_2 5900 // rpm value
#define LEVEL_3 6400 // rpm value

• MY23: activates special handling for Giulia/Stelvio MY2023 cluster.
• SHIFT: enables shift light display on 7" dashboards, don't use on 3.5".
• LEVEL_*: 7" dashboards support 3 SHIFT warning levels. Ensure RACE mode is enabled in the cluster via PROXI alignment.

Leave them commented unless you need these features.

CAN Bus Settings

#define MCP1_CLOCK MCP_8MHZ
#define CAN1_SPEED CAN_500KBPS

#define MCP2_CLOCK MCP_8MHZ
#define CAN2_SPEED CAN_125KBPS

• Clock frequency of each MCP2515 (typically 8MHz or 16MHz).
• Bitrate of each CAN bus (values for Giulia/Stelvio: 500kbps for CAN1, 125kbps for CAN2).

Send Interval

#define SEND_INTERVAL 0

Set to 0 for maximum throughput (recommended). Increase only for debugging or bandwidth issues

🔌 Pin Definitions

STM32 (F401CCU6 Black Pill)

// SPI
#define SCK_PIN    PA5
#define MISO_PIN   PA6
#define MOSI_PIN   PA7

// CAN1
#define CAN1_CS_PIN   PA4
#define CAN1_INT_PIN  PA10

// CAN2 (optional)
#define CAN2_CS_PIN   PB12
#define CAN2_INT_PIN  PB13

Arduino (e.g., Uno, Nano)

// CAN1
#define CAN1_CS_PIN 10
#define CAN1_INT_PIN 2

// CAN2 (optional)
#define CAN2_CS_PIN 9
#define CAN2_INT_PIN 3

🧪 Python Serial Communication

• Python 3.10+
• pyserial

Install with (in Powershell):

pip install pyserial

🐍 Python Serial Communication Setup

To interact with the STM32 from your PC, the firmware exposes a USB CDC serial port (COM port).
Use the following parameters in Python script:

⚙️ Hardware Setup

Required Components

• ✅ STM32 or Arduino [i used STM32F401CCU6]
• ✅ 2x MCP2515 with TJA1050 [both with 120Ω jumper, i soldered pins]
• ✅ Real Giulia/Stelvio instrument cluster
• ✅ 12v Power Supply
• ✅ Some wires and connectors

🔌 Connector Pinout

⚠️ Notes:

• Pins 2 and 3 must be bridged together to +12v.
• Pins 11 and 12 are electrically connected together (same for 13 and 14).

• You can connect either pin in each pair CAN A/B pairing order does not matter.
• I personally supply 14.4V using a variable power supply.

• If you don’t have the original OEM connector for the cluster, don’t worry — it’s not a problem.
  Standard Dupont jumper wires or 2.54mm pitch connectors (e.g., 2 pieces 1x6) can be used reliably without major issues.

🔌 SPI & CAN Wiring (STM32)

🧩 Shared SPI Bus

🔧 Chip Select & Interrupts

⚠️ Both MCP2515 share the same SPI bus. Only CS and INT are separate.

🔌 SPI & CAN Wiring (Arduino Nano)

🧩 Shared SPI Bus

🔧 Chip Select & Interrupts

⚠️ Both MCP2515 share the same SPI bus. Only CS and INT are separate.

✅ Tested With

• BeamNG.drive
• Assetto Corsa
• OEM Giulia cluster (2017)
• STM32F401CCU6 (Black Pill)
• Arduino Nano
• Dual MCP2515 (8MHz, TJA1050, 120Ω)

🧪 Feature Support

⚠️ When the cluster is in RACE profile, MEDIA and External Temp lines on 7" dashboards are not available and cannot be displayed, this is the OEM behavior.

ℹ️ The optional second CAN module (IHS) helps prevent odometer blinking by providing additional messages expected by the cluster.

My glorious Setup:

⚠️ Known Notes

• General:

  • On first cluster power-up, a handbrake system fault warning may appear.
    This is expected and will clear automatically after a few seconds.

  • Development is in progress to remove or map them to game events where possible:

    • TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
    • Power Steering Fault
    • Lane Assist / Lane Departure Warning
    • Headlights

  • The following warnings are suppressed, but not yet synchronized with game logic:

    • Airbag
    • MIL (Check Engine)
    • Clock/Time
    • Turn Signals / Indicators

• BeamNG.drive:

  • Enable OutGauge in the settings menu.
  • A low fuel alert may briefly appear after respawning.

• Assetto Corsa:

  • No plugin required — uses native shared memory access.
  • On the first launch of Assetto Corsa make sure to enter the track at least once before running the Python script.

📜 License

MIT License — Use at your own risk.
Not affiliated with Alfa Romeo, FCA, or Stellantis.