wideband AFR vs. $30 gauge

6

67rcks

Member

Feb 20, 2008

373

0

17

Nov 1, 2010

#1

• Nov 1, 2010

• #1

I was about to get a regular air fuel gauge and regular o2 sensor hoping that it will give me enough info to set the correct air/fuel mixture. Autometer, sunpro makes them - cost 30-70 US.

Some folks say that such gauge is useless and blinks all over the place = difficult (if not impossible) to read and that wideband is way to go. What's your experience? Is it worth spending $250 for a wideband kit?

 

blown65

Founding Member

Jul 7, 1999

1,938

4

39

Queen Creek Arizona

Nov 1, 2010

#2

• Nov 1, 2010

• #2

They ar ok if your only intention is setting cruise af with it. They are accurate in a very narrow af window.

For wot tuning go with a wideband.

 

6

67rcks

Member

Feb 20, 2008

373

0

17

Nov 2, 2010

#3

• Nov 2, 2010

• #3

WOT means at some 6K rpm? Can you also read NB gauge when main circuit kicks in i.e. at some 2500-3000 rpm to be able to set the floatsmaybe play with jets? (holley DP with mech. secondaries)

 

D

doogie67

Member

Jan 24, 2006

69

0

6

Pennsylvania

Nov 2, 2010

#4

• Nov 2, 2010

• #4

Wideband. Dataloging and so much more. It helped me find an internal vacuum leak. Makes tuning a whole lot easier.

 

blown65

Founding Member

Jul 7, 1999

1,938

4

39

Queen Creek Arizona

Nov 2, 2010

#5

• Nov 2, 2010

• #5

WOT is wide open throttle

like I said, narrow o2 is good for cruise af only otherwise get a wideband.

 

PoppyMod

Member

Jun 27, 2010

617

6

19

Severna Park, MD

Nov 2, 2010

#6

• Nov 2, 2010

• #6

Hi,

I have an Innovate wide band and it works great. I f you have the money,l go for the wide band. The data logging and tuning capabilities are worth it. Maybe you can split the cost with your best bud.
Happy Motoring!

 

coolblue65

Founding Member

Jul 26, 1999

1,224

2

39

Algonquin, IL

Nov 2, 2010

#7

• Nov 2, 2010

• #7

any have opinions on the AEM wideband guage? they seem pretty affordable and even have different face plates and rings.

I have been looking at one of these to aid me in fine tuning the carb vs paying for dyno time.

 

6

67rcks

Member

Feb 20, 2008

373

0

17

Nov 3, 2010

#8

• Nov 3, 2010

• #8

AEM kit (AEM Power 30-5130 - AEM Power Analog Wideband Air/Fuel UEGO Gauge Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com) caught my eye too, with the price tag much lower than other sets yet with same or better quality, maybe with no data logging. Is it any different from 30-4100 other than the digital display?

Also, how long wideband sensors typically last in carbureted engines that use gas with lead substitute? is such gas harmful to the sensor ? (leaded gas is)

 

blown65

Founding Member

Jul 7, 1999

1,938

4

39

Queen Creek Arizona

Nov 3, 2010

#9

• Nov 3, 2010

• #9

Ive had my wideband for years now and still works fine. The last 3 yrs has been all race gas. While I haven't checked its calibration, just from what it does at the track and setting idle fuel etc etc it seems to be still very close to what it should be.

 

F

ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"

Founding Member

Dec 6, 1999

4,818

1

69

BC Canada

Nov 4, 2010

#10

• Nov 4, 2010

• #10

Don't bother with a narrow band, like you've been told they are not much help.