A/F gauge?, Is it worth it? Options

[BiG bOgGs]

I am looking to add an Air/fuel gauge to my 76 2.0L D-Jet. Is there a VDO meter that would match our present gauges, and is it even worth having as a gauge? I have done a few searches and come up with some info, but I don't really find anyone who has one in their system.

I would like to be able to monitor the A/F ratio to tell when I am running too rich or too lean over all, not really for precision diagnostics.

[76-914]

You could add a 4 channel EGT gage and sensors. Leaner is hotter. But why? You'll just drive yourself nuts watching all of them be different. We certainly don't have any controll over this once we set the tune. Except for a dash mounted variable resistor to CHT sender. Might be neat to watch the warm up process via EGT, though. Or the old fashioned way. Check your gas milage and plugs condidtion.

[jasons]

Don't waste your money on a narrow band unit. I have one, and it is useless. You would be better off getting a good clock. On the other hand, a wide band might be interesting.

[Mark Henry]

This is the cheapest WB system if you are the DYI type and can solder your own.
http://www.14point7.com/Widebands/SLC_DIY/SLC_DIY.htm

This one for $300 is the same size as a VDO http://sdsefi.com/wmsmm.htm
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/sdsefi.com-26-1271069633.1.jpg)


Built systems are about $300 and up

[turboman808]

I was thinking about getting this one. http://www.zeitronix.com/

But I spoke with Chris Foley and I think what I would like to see done is put in a complete aem ecu with wide band and all the little bells and whistles. The Haltech I have now is very outdated and even with the jetronix system installed I don't think it will do as good of job as a complete replacement with the aem system.

[ConeDodger]

This is the cheapest WB system if you are the DYI type and can solder your own.
http://www.14point7.com/Widebands/SLC_DIY/SLC_DIY.htm

This one for $300 is the same size as a VDO http://sdsefi.com/wmsmm.htm
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/sdsefi.com-26-1271069633.1.jpg)


Built systems are about $300 and up

This is the one Jake Raby has wired into his two dyno rooms. He loves it. I have an LC-1 that I have never taken out of the box. I should probably put it up for sale huh?

Something I recently noticed while using McMark's LM-1 to tune Jim Dupree's D-Jet blueprinted 2.0 though... D-Jet seems to regulate A/F under load much better than sitting still and revving. I about went batty trying to figure what was wrong while revving the engine in the driveway but once I took it out on the street, I realized that the motor was pretty much on the nose as it regards 30+ year old EFI systems.

[hcdmueller]

I have a PLX and an LC-1. The PLX is much easier to install on a 914. It also warms up faster, needs no calibration, and responds quicker than the LC-1. The LC-1 works great but if you have a choice I would go with the PLX just for the easier install alone. Saying that, if you are running a stock engine on D-Jet I wouldn't worry about it.

[sean_v8_914]

do you already have CHT?
oil temp?
these should be higher up on teh priority list

[realred914]

do you already have CHT?
oil temp?
these should be higher up on teh priority list

presure, man, oil pressure.

[jd74914]

I was thinking about getting this one. http://www.zeitronix.com/

But I spoke with Chris Foley and I think what I would like to see done is put in a complete aem ecu with wide band and all the little bells and whistles. The Haltech I have now is very outdated and even with the jetronix system installed I don't think it will do as good of job as a complete replacement with the aem system.

cough...Adaptronic e1280...cough


On a related note, I have used a few Innovative LC/LM-1's and liked them. I have never tuned a carbed or stock FI motor with them (only aftermarket FI), but they are most definately invaluable when tuning.

[turboman808]

I was thinking about getting this one. http://www.zeitronix.com/

But I spoke with Chris Foley and I think what I would like to see done is put in a complete aem ecu with wide band and all the little bells and whistles. The Haltech I have now is very outdated and even with the jetronix system installed I don't think it will do as good of job as a complete replacement with the aem system.

cough...Adaptronic e1280...cough


On a related note, I have used a few Innovative LC/LM-1's and liked them. I have never tuned a carbed or stock FI motor with them (only aftermarket FI), but they are most definately invaluable when tuning.

Not a bad system. Adds real traction control. AEM traction control is somewhat lacking.

Back to your regular topic. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[pbanders]

Something I recently noticed while using McMark's LM-1 to tune Jim Dupree's D-Jet blueprinted 2.0 though... D-Jet seems to regulate A/F under load much better than sitting still and revving. I about went batty trying to figure what was wrong while revving the engine in the driveway but once I took it out on the street, I realized that the motor was pretty much on the nose as it regards 30+ year old EFI systems.

That's my same observation, loaded CO is stable, idle stable CO wanders. I have a theory as to why, just need to do the testing to verify it

[rohar]

This is the cheapest WB system if you are the DYI type and can solder your own.
http://www.14point7.com/Widebands/SLC_DIY/SLC_DIY.htm

This one for $300 is the same size as a VDO http://sdsefi.com/wmsmm.htm
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/sdsefi.com-26-1271069633.1.jpg)


Built systems are about $300 and up

Interesting, more the data acquisition than anything. If the software could be ported to linux or CE I'd tie it to a SmartQ7 and throw out my gauge panel.

[ChrisFoley]

I'm using an Auto Meter (LED style) Narrow Band A/F meter in my carbed street car and I like it.
When the engine is tuned well the lights don't change a lot.
I have the carbs set up so the meter stays just into the green band most of the time, enters the amber once in a while, and never goes red or to the far end of the green band.
When a jet gets clogged the meter shows leaner than normal.
When I hit the accelerator it goes further into the green, and at WOT it gets a little more green too.

[McMark]

No there isn't much that will match a VDO-look.

[marks914]

We can do up a custom wide or narrow band A/F gauge to match whatever you need. We get the guts from the same company that makes them for everyone
Mark
Attached is the core gauge They are back lit though. We just tooled up an orange back lit pointer with a spun metal hub similar to the original VDO stuff

[McMark]

OMG!!!! Mark, I can't wait to see a finished product. I'm absolutely in for one.

[Mark Henry]

The only thing is to be effectively looking at a AFR meter, as you drive, you need it up in your line of sight. If it's down on a console it's totally useless. Nothing more than a piece of bling for bragging rights that you have one.
There's a big reason that the WMS unit has an LED readout, ease of reading.

I've never permanently installed my meter...because it's been temporarily mounted in at least 20-30 cars by now.