tuning question - worth getting a wideband ?

[digs]

Hi, will soon have a 3sfte completed, wanted to gather opinions on tuning (mods, if this is better in GT4 section please move, it's just mine won't be a GT4!).

Do you think it's worth getting hold of a wideband sensor to tune it myself, or is it enough of a black art to always use a tuning specialist?

Will be running emanage blue, with software on laptop. A wideband is an extra expense, so if it's not that useful I won't bother.

[_Chris_]

I always think a wideband is worthwhile on a turbo engine, especially on a non-standard setup as it allows you to monitor the mapping stays safe under all conditions. The is a version of the AEM one which also reads RPM and map sensor and provides a warning if it goes too weak on boost - a potential engine saver.

Mapping the mixture is pretty simple, ignition is harder although if you're only tweaking then you mainly just need to retard in areas where you get detonation (you will need det cans or knock warning system)

[_Chris_]

p.s. I think this is it

http://www.amazon.com/AEM-30-4900-Wideband-Failsafe-Gauge/dp/B007ZAQLF6

Manufacturer Part Number: 30-4900

http://www.aemelectronics.com/wideband-air-fuel-systems-15/wideband-failsafe-gauge-84/

[digs]

Thanks Chris, useful info. No idea what det cans were till googled them!

Don't like paying others for something could do myself, but maybe get it tuned professionally first, then learn how to tweak/use that using a wideband.

Like that one you posted up though.

[splinter]

Look up engine management agency if your looking at learning how to tune and ecu. I have been to their first stage one day course. Was great to learn the basics.

I would also say a wideband for a turbo engine or any tuned engine is a very usefull tool. I am running NA tune and I use an AEM wideband with dash mounted gauge.

[BrianGT]

I'm actually going to fit one to my Gen1.

I have twin carbs and simple ignition so setting the idle mixture is easy with my Gunson gas analyser and colortune plug but once the car is revving at 7k I have no idea what the mixture is doing without analysing the plug colour.

It's very easy with Dellorto's to get the main jet mixture correct if you have a gauge...a simple change of main jet or air corrector is all that's needed. The gauge keeps you right and saves the cost of a rolling road!

Demon Tweeks sell one with the exhaust adaptor and gauge and leads for around £150. That's the cost of one rolling road tuning session!

It's peace of mind..you don't want detonation and a very weak mixture.

[digs]

sounds like it will be a worthwhile investment, especially as mine could do with monitoring due to the junkyard nature of the turbo build. Do not want to destroy my engine after the work so far

Would be good to learn actually how to do this. Turbos were a black art to me until I started researching and installing my own. Same with tuning I reckon. Only one way to learn!

[digs]

Also seems emanageblue to record the data from a wideband, from another forum

Tech,

I'm looking at the Greddy Emanage A/F Sensor Harness PN 15900912 and was wondering if it could be used with the Emanage Blue Piggyback unit? If so what other modifications in the software I would need if any? If not other suggestions that would allow me to log Air Fuel Ratio v. RPM without the use of a dyno? I'm at the stage now where I have the jumper settings on the unit setup correctly for my car, I have a Boomslang Plug and Play Harness, and the need support tool and software. I can't find any tuners I trust in my area. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Greddy's response.

Yes, this A/F harness will work on e-manage blue and with an external wideband O2 sensor. You will have to go into parameter settings, below the section where it says memo, you will have to change it from disconnect to A/F SENSOR(0-5V). Then select confirm and to be sure I would export data. You will need the support tool for these actions.

[digs]

Another question if anyone knows.....

So, the sensor to the emanage can be built quite easily without buying the official one

http://emanageforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=89

So I assume what I need to do is........

a) Get a hole and bung welded into my exhaust

stick wideband in there

c) run cables out

d) split cables

e) run one set to the Gauge

f) run the other to the emanage connector

I guess I could ignore the gauge and just log straight into emanage though, for tuning purposes, though the gauge sounds handy to view realtime.

[_Chris_]

Not quite unless you use an LC-1. On all others I've come across the conroller is built into the gauge so:

The wideband sensor in the exhaust is wired just to the gauge.

The gauge has a 0-5V output which you then feed to the ECU.

You may need to download software from the gauge manufacturer and hook up the gauge to a PC to configure the output correctly.

I would still advise using the gauge with the built in warning as above if you have a turbo engine. Going weak on boost means pretty instant engine failure.

Edited May 15, 2013 by _Chris_

[digs]

Got you, thanks Output comes from gauge into emanage.

The built in warning versions, does that feed a signal to the ecu then to disable throttle, or just flash up to warn that a/f is outside set parameters, get your damn foot off the pedal!

Thanks for your advice btw, gratefully received! Think I am going to enjoy understanding tuning, numerical analysis is my day job

[_Chris_]

Not sure whether it has a warning output, I'd guess the spec will say. Most likely is a relay contact which you can use to drive a big lamp and a klaxon

A word of warning by the way, once you've fitted the sensor, don't drive the car without the controller fitted and powered. Exhaust gas will damage an unpowered sensor.

[digs]

Thanks, useful info!