Wideband O2 Gauges and tuning?

[JHall651]

Do tuners actually use a persons wideband O2 gauge in order to help tune the car or do they just go by their narrowband that they place in the exhaust? The reason I ask is I am about to have some work done and my AFR gauge just died on me.

[94guy]

to do it right yes. I log a/f every time I log.

[Tampa Tuning]

I don't because I don't know if its been calibrated or not.

I like using my own equipment even if the vehicle has the same equipment installed.

I also like that my wideband plugs directly into my HP Tuners interface and records all the data for me.

I don't like leaving the unknowns out there. My NGK/AFX crapped out on me halfway through a Camaro last week, and rather than just place another sensor on it, I broke out my spare NGK/AFX wideband set up, and used it the rest of the day. Then I spent $250 on two new sensors. One for my spare set up, and a spare for my spare lol.

I used to use an LM1 years ago, but it goes through wideband sensors pretty quick so I dumped it and use it as my 3rd back up unit.

I also place my wideband on a separate battery supply so the volts doesn't fluctuate with the RPMs or the wall current.


Phil

[JHall651]

So kind of a side question. What typically happens when an O2 sensor goes out? Does it give off funny readings or no readings at all? The reason I ask is out of nowhere mine started reading 9ish at idle and cruising and then leans out a bit to 10.2 and stays at 10.2 until I let off gas. Thing that is weird about that is 10.2 is what it used to read at WOT so that stayed the same. But reading so rich all the time doesn't make sense. I have not changed my tune or modded anything at all and car is running fine with no CEL. I called Innovate because the brain of the gauge is their LC-1 and they said everything including the sensor was reading fine so it must be the gauge.

[JHall651]

Bump?

[Iam Broke]

If they get condensate on them from improper mounting location they can just die. As they age response gets sluggish and they drift off cal. Eventually they quit responding. When you see the response starting to get sluggish, replace the sensor. Lead contamination from fuels makes them die a lot faster. Nothing is cast in stone about any electronic device when it fails.

Those of us that log regularly can compare the narrowband factory O2's to the wb response and keep an eye on them all.

[icemans2k02]

If you have an LC1 you may try fresh air calibration but car has to be off for a few hours or you need to physically remove the sensor. It is a pretty lengthy process. Also like others have said if you don't mount it at the 3 o'clock position condensation and water will build up and cause it to fail prematurely. I used to have to calibrate my LC1 once every 3-4 months before I ditched it and went with AEM unit.

[The_Blur]

I've been talking with my prospective tuner and will be using an AEM UEGO gauge with my email tune. He claims he can get it very close without it but recommends a wideband gauge for the best results.

[TuscaniGTSC2]

Originally Posted by Tampa Tuning

I don't because I don't know if its been calibrated or not.

I like using my own equipment even if the vehicle has the same equipment installed.

I also like that my wideband plugs directly into my HP Tuners interface and records all the data for me.

I don't like leaving the unknowns out there. My NGK/AFX crapped out on me halfway through a Camaro last week, and rather than just place another sensor on it, I broke out my spare NGK/AFX wideband set up, and used it the rest of the day. Then I spent $250 on two new sensors. One for my spare set up, and a spare for my spare lol.

I used to use an LM1 years ago, but it goes through wideband sensors pretty quick so I dumped it and use it as my 3rd back up unit.

I also place my wideband on a separate battery supply so the volts doesn't fluctuate with the RPMs or the wall current.


Phil

Interesting concept about using a separate battery supply for the wideband. How big of a difference did you notice when data logging? I have never thought about doing this but it makes a lot of sense.

[Badbubba]

Originally Posted by TuscaniGTSC2

Interesting concept about using a separate battery supply for the wideband. How big of a difference did you notice when data logging? I have never thought about doing this but it makes a lot of sense.

Widebands use the cars 12-14 volts for the power supply. The voltage is then stabilized and converted with a voltage regulator in the wideband for the electronics. A shop would most likely not power their wideband from the customer's anyways. A shop using their own wideband and power supply would provide consistency, eliminate variables and protect their wideband from any faults from the car's electrical system. Such as excessive voltage spikes or drops and noise.

[jonathanmoguel]

i have a question about the wideband in relation to nitrous oxide systems.

i have a nitrous system setup on my car and the nx maximizer 4 progressive controller connected to it. i want to use a wideband sensor to monitor the amount of a/f readings to see and use it as a safety device. the controller would read if it leans or richens out.

-now my question to you guys is should i power-up the wideband with a seperate powersource such as another battery or use the cars battery? i have never heard about voltage spikes or electrical interference causing the sensor to read false information.

what would provide good results.??

[1KillerSS]

Originally Posted by JHall651

Do tuners actually use a persons wide band O2 gauge in order to help tune the car or do they just go by their narrow band that they place in the exhaust? The reason I ask is I am about to have some work done and my AFR gauge just died on me.

you imply that all shops use narrow band O2 sensors....personally i would not touch a shop that uses a narrow band O2 sensor system. Wide band all the way for me


as Phil said you know your own equipment and if its reliable or not why make the mistake of using a system your not familiar with or trust..also Phil has a back, up and a back up for his back up....all of them he trusts and uses im sure. for me if a shop doesn't have at least two wide bands i would not even considering letting them tune my car...if you want just a dyno run than thats one thing but they still need to log with a wide band IMO

[Badbubba]

Originally Posted by jonathanmoguel

i have a question about the wideband in relation to nitrous oxide systems.

i have a nitrous system setup on my car and the nx maximizer 4 progressive controller connected to it. i want to use a wideband sensor to monitor the amount of a/f readings to see and use it as a safety device. the controller would read if it leans or richens out.

-now my question to you guys is should i power-up the wideband with a seperate powersource such as another battery or use the cars battery? i have never heard about voltage spikes or electrical interference causing the sensor to read false information.

what would provide good results.??

Powering mine straight out of the driver's side dash fuse box. No issues with meter or logging, that I am aware of. To my knowledge, the BCM monitors the cars voltage and will regulate it to the charge condition of the battery and demand of the system. I've measured my voltage and it will vary from about 12.8 to 14.5 volts. The battery will pretty much absorb any voltage spikes and supply for any dips, as well as eliminate most noise. And any of the electronic equipment, wideband, etc, should have a voltage regulator and filter in it to eliminate any issues.