Planning for my first mod....wideband question

[Level300]

I'm planning for my first mod which would be long tube headers. I'm compiling a list of things I need to buy and I have a question about tuning/monitoring.

Do I need to buy and install a wideband sensor and gauge or can the programmer record that (SCT programmer)? OIs it just a nice to have? If I will eventually need one for future mods ( cam ), would it be best to install the sensor while the headers are off the car?

Thanks!

[Pro-tuned]

If you decide to buy a wideband get in “lambda” not AFR scaling. You will need a fire wire cable to connect between the wideband and SCTx4 ($2.). You then can log AFR using the port on the device. Much easier to install the sensor while headers are not mounted. If your only planning headers and CAI won’t need it but, anything more definitely if your gonna optimize...

[JooktheSnooke]

this is the first im hearing of this. what is a wideband sensor? i have a few mods on my car and will be taking it to get tuned in the spring. (away for the winter). what does this do?

[Pro-tuned]

An oxygen sensor is an electronic device that measures oxygen in the gas or liquid being analysed. Contrary to some belief it doesn’t measure fuel , the equation is Calculated by the gauge it’s connected to.

[Level300]

Originally Posted by JooktheSnooke

this is the first im hearing of this. what is a wideband sensor? i have a few mods on my car and will be taking it to get tuned in the spring. (away for the winter). what does this do?

In a nutshell air and fuel burns at an optimum ratio. There is a ratio for maximum power , maximum fuel economy, etc. the wideband sensor measures the ratio from your exhaust.

Previously, I had installed a wideband in my motorcycle because it was an open loop system. Once the fuel map was set, there was no computer to make adjustments so the engine didn’t run lean or too rich. If I didn’t set the map properly, the engine could run lean, get too hot and melt the valves. So I needed to keep an eye on AFR.

However our cars are closed loop systems meaning the computer makes adjustments based on exhaust sensors so fuel is burning optimally which is why I asked, if a wideband is needed to monitor future engine mods. I would think that the computer would make the adjustments so AFR is always correct and would shut down or throw codes if it wasn’t? I’m still unclear and learning about tuning and what the car’s computer is capable of.

Here’s a link on AFR:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air–fuel_ratio

[Level300]

Originally Posted by Pro-tuned

If you decide to buy a wideband get in “lambda” not AFR scaling. You will need a fire wire cable to connect between the wideband and SCTx4 ($2.). You then can log AFR using the port on the device. Much easier to install the sensor while headers are not mounted. If your only planning headers and CAI won’t need it but, anything more definitely if your gonna optimize...

Thanks ProTuned!

[1fast]

Originally Posted by Level300

In a nutshell air and fuel burns at an optimum ratio. There is a ratio for maximum power , maximum fuel economy, etc. the wideband sensor measures the ratio from your exhaust.

Previously, I had installed a wideband in my motorcycle because it was an open loop system. Once the fuel map was set, there was no computer to make adjustments so the engine didn’t run lean or too rich. If I didn’t set the map properly, the engine could run lean, get too hot and melt the valves. So I needed to keep an eye on AFR.

However our cars are closed loop systems meaning the computer makes adjustments based on exhaust sensors so fuel is burning optimally which is why I asked, if a wideband is needed to monitor future engine mods. I would think that the computer would make the adjustments so AFR is always correct and would shut down or throw codes if it wasn’t? I’m still unclear and learning about tuning and what the car’s computer is capable of.

Here’s a link on AFR:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air–fuel_ratio

Yes car runs closed loop after warm up and cruise but when you go wide open throttle you are in open loop thats the short version. But a wideband is like a heart monitor even just air intake or any other mods it has always been my first mod.

[Level300]

Originally Posted by 1fast

Yes car runs closed loop after warm up and cruise but when you go wide open throttle you are in open loop thats the short version. But a wideband is like a heart monitor even just air intake or any other mods it has always been my first mod.

Wow. Thanks 1Fast. That’s good to know.

[JooktheSnooke]

is this needed if i am going to bring the car to get tuned? wouldnt they have their ways of reading AFR? is this something for those that tune themselves?

[eLeSthree]

Originally Posted by JooktheSnooke

is this needed if i am going to bring the car to get tuned? wouldnt they have their ways of reading AFR? is this something for those that tune themselves?

Nah, you dont need it. The tuner will stick his wideband into your tailpipe to get an afr reading. While its always ideal to have a wideband, you dont need it for NA cars.

I installed a wideband when I had a cam and bolt ons, but my friends did not, and they're fine.

[lionssfan]

Originally Posted by eLeSthree

Nah, you dont need it. The tuner will stick his wideband into your tailpipe to get an afr reading. While its always ideal to have a wideband, you dont need it for NA cars.

I installed a wideband when I had a cam and bolt ons, but my friends did not, and they're fine.

being all thats been said. it would seem you need a AFR sensor for each bank for optimal tuning? where is the best location for drilling the hole in the header. thanks

[hunter1660]

You can and some do install 2. The thinking is,among the ones using 1 that the difference between the 2 banks aren't worth the extra sensor under most applications. I installed mine in the bung for the downstream o2 sensor. Those were tuned out after header install.

[ybnormal70]

What is a good wideband sensor someone can recommend? I have one on my car and it is very annoying the noise that it makes. I assume it has a small stepper motor to move the needle and it is noisy. Would like something that records a high/low and digital if possible. Maybe something I could get a matching boost gauge too .

Kevin

[lionssfan]

Originally Posted by hunter1660

You can and some do install 2. The thinking is,among the ones using 1 that the difference between the 2 banks aren't worth the extra sensor under most applications. I installed mine in the bung for the downstream o2 sensor. Those were tuned out after header install.

ok gotcha, I would like having AFR read out even if I don't have a remote tune done. Just to monitor things and a boost read out. I've got a corsa exhaust so I think I would have to drill a hole after my high flow cats and weld a bung in place. One of the remote tuners on this site I read doesn't do remote tunes for forced induction and needs to be done on a dyno. so what I gather remote tunes are for some upgrades but not others. Witch is fine, I wouldn't want to short change my tune if remotely done is questionable FI.

I want a pillard gauge mount is there one gauge that covers it all if you know?