Wideband gauge help?
 

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

O2
 

You'll get as many opinions on this as people have you know what.

I'll suggest the Accel, not because I sell them (you can get them other places as well obviously) but because of some neat features and it's first rate accuracy.

I attached an independent test that shows how much more accurate the Accel DFI is than the Innovate LM-1. The NTK is a lab grade and the best you can get.
Plus the Accel has a lean alarm, program it to an RPM and air/fuel and it will shut the motor off or activate a light, you don't necessarily have to keep an eye on the gauge.
Additionally it will feed your ProFlo an O2 signal, even though the ProFlo will only read a narrow band.
And it will datalog and save it to a file, only needing laptop to read it. It also has other inputs and outputs.

Hope this helps.
Mark

sounds like a nice unit Mark.

http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/products/MTS.php

I have the XD-16 and a LC-1 in my race car, i like it for the fact the needle is easy to see on track and you can tune better by the LCD.

I would have got the MTX but it wasn't out when i got mine. The MTX contains everything in the gauge itself. The MTX and XD-16 are fully customizable too black/chrome bezel, black/white faces, each led on the pointer is color changeable, you can program it when it flash's, Over say 17:1 or under 9:1 to get your attention on track.

Or if your trying to match the interior scheme they have all the different G-series gauges.

Hmmm. Sounds tasty.. How exactly would I feed the pro-flo the O2 sig? Does the accel have a simulated narrow band output? I should do some reading to find out huh? :yes:

So Im thinking about the DFI 77062S (I dont need dual channels). Could you PM or email me a quote? Thanks, JR

I like the MTX. That one is definitely up for consideration. Thanks for the info.. JR

Edited my earlier post to show the Accel will activate a light as well.
Pm'd you.

Thanks.

HEGO output is on page 14, Lean alarm on page 29. Hope this helps.
Thanks
http://www.accel-ignition.com/portal...062s_77063.pdf

I went with an AFX by NGK. It was highly rated in the reviews I looked at and it was also recommended by Tom Nelson when I asked his thoughts. It was way under your budget and fit my budget;) I went with the Powerdex unit

Mark, can you shoot me some info and price on the Accel also, thanks.