JRouche
02-24-2012, 10:05 PM
Im looking to buy a wideband O2 sensor dash mounted gauge.
Some history? I have a 62 nova that I installed an edelbrock Pro-flo EFI system on, small block 350.
I bought an Innovate LM-1 wideband controller/data logger back a few years ago. I was having some tuning issues with the pro-flo (yeah, not a great system but back in 96 there weren't many options). I was wanting to see what the AF ratios were besides what the pro-flo system read.
Umm? Not a great tool for that. The LM-1 would log the AF ratios for a given session. But trying to use the gathered info to tune the EFI was like reading a history book. What happened and when it happened was impossible.
For example. Linking up certain throttle positions, vacuum numbers, RPM numbers and basically the time when ALL the driver inputs happened with the log file was impossible. It might have been a better logger if you had a laptop in the car. But thats a lil hairy for me, looking at a laptop, EFI control fob AND the street!!! LOL I would prolly hit a curb.
So I want a dash mounted gauge that will show real time AF ratios.
Why? A few reasons.
One is start cold idle. Im SURE its WAY rich. I have dialed the cold idle back to -20% and think its still dumping fuel. Why? Well my eyes dont burn as much but I still get some black spots on the driveway (pre-tire angled dump exhaust) and it just smells rich. And Ill get some "loading" where Im at a stop light and its idling ok and the longer Im at the light it seems like the engine is "loading" up with fuel and it will slowly decrease in RPM until the EFI computer just cant get ahold of the over rich condition and the engine will die. AND THAT SUCKS!!
Embarrassing to have to re-start your car at a signal.
YES!! Shame on the EFI box for NOT controlling the fuel. And yes, it has all types of control for idle but it cant control the fuel completely.
Thats were I move in and dictate some firm points. But its tricky. Id love to dial in -50% cold idle fuel. But before I do I want to see what the other O2 sensor (yes, I have two now) says.
So I bought the LM-1 for that. But its not a great unit. Sure, its a few years old but really! Its the size of a paperback book. I opened it up to use what I could. Its ALL air. Dont know why they packaged it like they did. Engineers weren't speaking with the techs :)
Im sure it was meant for 1/4 mile racers wearing gloves. BIG buttons and a large hand held unit. So yeah, all kidding aside it was prolly doing what its designed to do. But doesnt work for me.
So Im looking for a dash mounted digital and sweep gauge so I can see when Im rich or more importantly lean. I didnt talk about the driving times where I thought I was lean. Popping out the exhaust and loosing all power on the freeway!! Having to pull to the far right side because the engine was doing more popping then producing power.
If I had a dash mounted gauge I might see if it was backfiring (hard to tell on my car if its backfire or pre-fire) because of a lean or rich condition.
Id like a dash mounted gauge to keep me from trying to look at the edlebrock hand unit.
SO!!! Any opinions with ALL of the gauges out there??????
Thats my question. My budget? 500 bones. I see so many units out now Id love some input? Thanks, JR
Some history? I have a 62 nova that I installed an edelbrock Pro-flo EFI system on, small block 350.
I bought an Innovate LM-1 wideband controller/data logger back a few years ago. I was having some tuning issues with the pro-flo (yeah, not a great system but back in 96 there weren't many options). I was wanting to see what the AF ratios were besides what the pro-flo system read.
Umm? Not a great tool for that. The LM-1 would log the AF ratios for a given session. But trying to use the gathered info to tune the EFI was like reading a history book. What happened and when it happened was impossible.
For example. Linking up certain throttle positions, vacuum numbers, RPM numbers and basically the time when ALL the driver inputs happened with the log file was impossible. It might have been a better logger if you had a laptop in the car. But thats a lil hairy for me, looking at a laptop, EFI control fob AND the street!!! LOL I would prolly hit a curb.
So I want a dash mounted gauge that will show real time AF ratios.
Why? A few reasons.
One is start cold idle. Im SURE its WAY rich. I have dialed the cold idle back to -20% and think its still dumping fuel. Why? Well my eyes dont burn as much but I still get some black spots on the driveway (pre-tire angled dump exhaust) and it just smells rich. And Ill get some "loading" where Im at a stop light and its idling ok and the longer Im at the light it seems like the engine is "loading" up with fuel and it will slowly decrease in RPM until the EFI computer just cant get ahold of the over rich condition and the engine will die. AND THAT SUCKS!!
Embarrassing to have to re-start your car at a signal.
YES!! Shame on the EFI box for NOT controlling the fuel. And yes, it has all types of control for idle but it cant control the fuel completely.
Thats were I move in and dictate some firm points. But its tricky. Id love to dial in -50% cold idle fuel. But before I do I want to see what the other O2 sensor (yes, I have two now) says.
So I bought the LM-1 for that. But its not a great unit. Sure, its a few years old but really! Its the size of a paperback book. I opened it up to use what I could. Its ALL air. Dont know why they packaged it like they did. Engineers weren't speaking with the techs :)
Im sure it was meant for 1/4 mile racers wearing gloves. BIG buttons and a large hand held unit. So yeah, all kidding aside it was prolly doing what its designed to do. But doesnt work for me.
So Im looking for a dash mounted digital and sweep gauge so I can see when Im rich or more importantly lean. I didnt talk about the driving times where I thought I was lean. Popping out the exhaust and loosing all power on the freeway!! Having to pull to the far right side because the engine was doing more popping then producing power.
If I had a dash mounted gauge I might see if it was backfiring (hard to tell on my car if its backfire or pre-fire) because of a lean or rich condition.
Id like a dash mounted gauge to keep me from trying to look at the edlebrock hand unit.
SO!!! Any opinions with ALL of the gauges out there??????
Thats my question. My budget? 500 bones. I see so many units out now Id love some input? Thanks, JR