Good Air/Fuel ratio guage options

[MNcarbturbo]

Before I want to mess around with the boost I was wanting to find a decent way of monitoring whats going on. Ive basically narrowed it down to 3 options

A. Air/Fuel ratio guage. Be nice to see if im running ritch or lean when I turn up the boost. Could be done with a EGT probe, but it isnt as responsive

B. A knock guage. From what ive understood, I would need a 83-87 knock sensor, Turbo 83 ECM, and a Caspers 10 LED guage. Would be the best option, but the hardest and most expensive. The knock sensor is easy enough to get but the ECM would be a pain to find, then wire. Not to mention if it would even work not being hooked up to a dizzy and carb. Be a great option if I had an 83 car or had the parts, but I have nothing for it. Not a huge fan of it too because it detects false knock, which is more to worry about.

C. EGT probe. My least favorite option. Slow to respond, doesnt tell you a whole lot but its cheap. A A/F ratio does the same thing but tells you more.

My favorite option out there is a A/F guage. Where do you put it into the intake at? Im not familiar with them at all. Is it like a water temp probe? Any good brands?

 

[50psi]

Get a aem or autometer wideband...You weld a bung to your downpipe and insert the sensor
Amazon.com: AEM 30-4100 UEGO Controller Gauge: Automotive

 

[charlief1]

I think Adam is using the same thing. Hope he comes and answers this question for you.

 

[WarWagon]

I'm using an AEM gauge It's good I'd recommend it.
There is also Innovate, Summit, they are all good. Ededlbrock has one but I don't recommend it it does not have a digital readout.

 

[MNcarbturbo]

OK, you do go into the DP.

That AEM one looks good. Ive noticed you spend $70 for one without a didital screan or $300 for an automeater one. Around $200. Not cheap but it isnt as expensive either.

I take it it's important to have a ditital readout. Or atleast Id like to have one. Dont know if I trust a green light. Kinda like to have a number.

Here's a few others I found that I kinda like.

Auto Meter 8978 - Auto Meter Ultra-Lite Pro Digital Wideband Air/Fuel Ratio Gauges - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Holly one, but I dont know if they should stay to carbs or if they are any good.

Holley 534-200 - Holley Commander 950 Wideband O2 Gauges - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Ohh, and whats the difference between wideband and narrowband?

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Some reading material....
http://www.paceperformance.com/paceperformance/pdf/widebandshootout.pdf
As for the difference:
The wb will maintain a good % of accuracy across the entire afr range.[9 to 20:1]
The nb is most accurate at stoich. [14.7]

 

[WarWagon]

Practically all of those gauge type Widebands are knock off's of each other. With Autometer being th exception. Also the Autometer costs a lot more than that, You have to have a Ultra light Data acquisition system AND sensor(all sold seperatly) to have the Autometer work.
I chose the AEM because it's one that fits in a gauge pod, comes with sensor and harness and it comes with two different faceplates and readouts(AFR)/(Lambda)
I think an Innovate is the next best one too have but they are not in a guage form that you can't stick it in a gauge pod.
The difference 'tween narrow and wide band is: Narrow band is what most all OEM sensors and vehicles use, It reads just under and just over "Stoich" Example:13.8-15.8 where 14.7 is in the middle, they are temperature dependant, Non-linear output they really only tell you if your leaner richer or right on. Where a Wideband differs by covering a large area of the AFR scale say 10.0 rich to 20.0 lean, they are not temperature dependent and the output is a lot more linear, it can tell you the actual AFR not just that it's leaner or richer.

 

[ITSNOTAGN]

14point7.com
best wideband on the market and cheap

 

[MNcarbturbo]

Good info.

That 14point7 kit looks good. I take it you run it like a normal wideband but you have the ability to download the info onto a computer and get a graph. Sweet.

 

[b4black]

I don't believe you need any ECM for a Casper's 10 led gauge. You do need an ESC module, which is no big deal. The gauge is wired to the output of the ESC module. Just a sensor, module and gauge. Casper's will walk you through it.




EGT don't respond slow if you have the right probe.