O2 Sensor, what to buy? Options

[bbrock]

First, apologies because I know this has been covered somewhere but both local and Google search have failed me.

I'm heading to uncharted waters. All I know about O2 sensors are they are handy for measure A/F for tuning carbs and where to mount the bung. I have no clue about what is a good affordable sensor to buy for tuning a set of 40IDF Webers for a 2.0L engine. Don't even know whether wide band or narrow band is best. Just clueless really. Help Please!

[bbrock]

Thanks all! This is fabulous info that gave me what I needed to figure this out.

My application is exactly as Mark describes - a one-and-done operation to set up the carbs. I'm not looking for any permanent monitoring. In fact, I'll be installing the bung in a Bursch muffler and then swap that muffler for @mb911 's quiet muffler once the carbs are dialed in. I would think a rental kit as Mark describes would be very appealing for guys like me. In my case, a local member ( @dr.tim ) has graciously offered to bring his jetting kit and walk me through the process so I'll only need to replace what we use. I also have a synch snail so that leaves me with the O2 sensor. Just like Mark says, it will probably get used once and then sit in a box as a fairly expensive bit of unused kit.

The next best option to a rental is a relatively inexpensive kit.

The Spartan 2 kit by 14point7 previously linked looks like a great option at $125 including the sensor. The also have a gauge for $50 so at $175 + a bung and maybe some additional cable, I'd be set. Although I enjoy tinkering with Arduino on various projects, I think it will be hard to beat that gauge on price to have something rugged enough to be useful.

The one I think I'll go for though is the INNOVATE LC-2: Complete Lambda Cable Kit (8 ft.) For $189 it's a complete kit including 1" bung. What I like is that the controller provides serial outputs to connect to my computer for monitoring and data logging. Should work great for temporary cable routing to my laptop in the passenger seat. It also won't be the worst thing to have this in the toolkit because some day I may look at converting to modern EFI where it might find a permanent home.

Thanks all (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[914Toy]

Thanks all! This is fabulous info that gave me what I needed to figure this out.

My application is exactly as Mark describes - a one-and-done operation to set up the carbs. I'm not looking for any permanent monitoring. In fact, I'll be installing the bung in a Bursch muffler and then swap that muffler for @mb911 's quiet muffler once the carbs are dialed in. I would think a rental kit as Mark describes would be very appealing for guys like me. In my case, a local member ( @dr.tim ) has graciously offered to bring his jetting kit and walk me through the process so I'll only need to replace what we use. I also have a synch snail so that leaves me with the O2 sensor. Just like Mark says, it will probably get used once and then sit in a box as a fairly expensive bit of unused kit.

The next best option to a rental is a relatively inexpensive kit.

The Spartan 2 kit by 14point7 previously linked looks like a great option at $125 including the sensor. The also have a gauge for $50 so at $175 + a bung and maybe some additional cable, I'd be set. Although I enjoy tinkering with Arduino on various projects, I think it will be hard to beat that gauge on price to have something rugged enough to be useful.

The one I think I'll go for though is the INNOVATE LC-2: Complete Lambda Cable Kit (8 ft.) For $189 it's a complete kit including 1" bung. What I like is that the controller provides serial outputs to connect to my computer for monitoring and data logging. Should work great for temporary cable routing to my laptop in the passenger seat. It also won't be the worst thing to have this in the toolkit because some day I may look at converting to modern EFI where it might find a permanent home.

Thanks all (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Good compromise, but a permanent installation will assist you trouble shooting fuel and or ignition issues.