Heres a cool mod

[ninjazombiemaster]

Not sure if the fellow who did this site is one of us, but I couldn't find mention of this.

Air/Fuel Ratio Gauge

I wouldn't mind having one of these things to see how the ratio changes in real time. I've got some sort of gauge housing that appears to attach to the door frame or something (currently not installed) that I could put it on. I really don't know how to describe it better, I've frankly never seen another before. I'll take a picture for you guys when I can.

[rcb280z]

Great info! Looking into a system for my 280z right now.

[ninjazombiemaster]

Also, it seems like Summit Racing no longer carries the item. They have their own version, priced about the same here. The Intellitronix model can still be found from other sources. I believe Bosch sells affordable O2 sensors. I don't know what would be the best way to install the sensor in the system though. If anyone has a good idea, share!

[conedodger]

I'm not really impressed with the narrow band color change gauges. Things happen pretty fast in the A:F ratio world. I used a wideband gauge and installed it as you see below... It works like a charm and I have tuned it so that I am at a good performance A:F ratio of 13.5:1 for the most part.

[ninjazombiemaster]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but a narrow band O2 sensor is only able to tell a computer (or gauge, for that matter) whether an engine is operating above or below an (typically 14.7:1) air/fuel ratio, where as wideband gauges read the exact level. Definitely good information to have, but probably somewhat more expensive. Regardless, thats a very cool re-purposing.

Mind if I ask how much the total cost was?

[Travel'n Man]

I have my AF Gauge mounted in the glove box along with my Retrosound Sound System. Removed the glovebox - used a black abs mounting board. the Retrosound has a remote control so I don't have to reach over to open the door unless I am monitoring the AF ratio. This is a color coded sweep dial with a digital middle- to the left is too rich / to the right is too lean / straight up is dead on. Total cost was approx $275.00

Edited March 7, 2013 by Travel'n Man

[siteunseen]

I've thought about a pyrometer myself but I don't want to drill into my beautiful header and 2.5 exhaust, yet!

[conedodger]

The narrow band systems are a pretty light show. When I say things happen fast, consider this. Our Z cars idle slightly rich. This is going to show an out of range color on any of the narrow band gauges. If things are tuned correctly, they should go rich when you tip in to accelerate. This is going to show an out of range color. You should be running on the rich side at WOT. This again, is going to show an out of range color on the gauge. Just not very useful to me. I have wideband in both the Z and my 914. I can tune for idle, cruise, and WOT with pretty good accuracy. Add to that that I am using Keith Franck developed jetting on my triple Webers and I am getting accuracy that was unheard of back in the 1970's. I just think those narrow band gauges with the color changes are amusing but not terribly useful. As for cost, I'm sorry. I don't really remember. I take my car down to Original Customs in Sonoma, CA and just give Mark the owner a list of things I want to accomplish. When I come back, he gives me a bill that I usually throw away to keep that information from my wife... 8O

Whatever it cost was buried in the larger bill.

[ninjazombiemaster]

Exactly, but if you're looking for it to go out of range on WOT and it does, then you get the information you need. I'm not going to argue its better than wide band, because its not, just that its enough information to tell you whats going on, and can be done on a smaller budget.

Oh, and I got some pictures of that gauge thing.

Anyone seen it before? Came with the car but wasn't hooked up. It looks to me like it is a modified stock door frame vinyl, with the gauges as an add on, but I don't know.

Edited March 8, 2013 by ninjazombiemaster

[LeonV]

Narrow-band sensors are useless for anything other than catalyst monitoring. Otherwise it's just bling, i.e. a conversation starter. If you actually want to tune your car, get a wideband sensor and gauge instead of wasting time, money, and energy on the NB.

[ninjazombiemaster]

I suppose you guys are right. When I get an extra $200 to spend, I'll probably pick this kit up:

AEM Electronics Analog Wideband Air/Fuel UEGO Gauge Kits 30-5130 - SummitRacing.com

Already spent my car budget for the month on a new radio and the stuff to convert my dash to LEDs, as well as some other odds and ends.

Maybe next month.

[ninjazombiemaster]

Heres a quick question. I'm thinking about moving forward on this project. My budget would allow me to either install two narrow band sensors (one for the front carb, and another for the rear) or a single wide band. I know how some of you guys feel about the narrowband sensors, but having a per carb reading would be really neat and probably beneficial.