air fuel ratio gauge

[texas69bee]

I am looking too buy an air fuel ratio gauge. Anybody have experience with these and what would you recommend.

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

Can't really look at the gauge at WOT, unless you have a go pro type camera,concider logging??

 

[dla4567]

I have one from innovate motorsports. I'm ready to throw it in the trash. It keeps changing readings, my car is running rich, an hour later it is running lean. Then I recallibrate it and it's running rich again. Also I've replaced the O2 sensor after about 3 months. Now 3 months later it needs replaced again.

 

[Jcharger]

I am also using an innovate unit (baseline digital readout). The gauge does move around depending on how warm the engine, but in general it has been pretty reproducible once the engine is settled in and warmed up. My impression is that the unit just reads a voltage so it probably does not matter what company makes it. There will be noise with readings depending on integration time. I would think the A/F sensors are pretty standard too. I did what was cheap and simple and have not regretted it.

I log it with a USB adapter to a laptop using their software, while this is not ideal, it has worked for me in addressing issues with the car. (pump shot, jets, bleeds, etc....) It has also taught me a lot.

If I want to know what it is doing, I generally have to run a test several times and then average it because there is noise and can be some run to run variability.

 

[Canyon707]

I had an inovate never got it to work correctly. I dont think one needs to run it all the time. I used FAST and it seemed the best recording the run. Once you get it jetted correctly it really does not need to be in the car.

 

[coloradodave]

I use an Innovate Dual A/F gauge with a sensor in each bank to monitor each carburetor's function on my crossram. I tuned for a over 50 years using old school methods of plug reading, piston top coloring and highest MPH at the track. The 'new' gas has made that much more difficult. Yes, the gauges do jump around a bit, but you can definitely see how jetting /metering rod and idle mixture screw adjustments affect the A/F ratios. I find it to be an invaluable tool for getting the best out of my set-up. This picture is my first gauge that read one bank before Innovative came out with the dual one. I sold this to a member on this forum. I'll have to get a picture of my current dual gauge and post it.

 

[dla4567]

Mine doesn't jump around 2-3 points, it goes from 10 to 20. Last week I calibrated the sensor twice but it still reads 22.4, (which is the max reading). The first sensor just read an error code. When I first installed it and after I replaced the sensor it seamed to work correctly for about a month, (which is around 200-300 miles). The sensor is a Bosch, which I consider a good brand. I'm in the process of changing fuels (from 110 octane to 93), which really leans things out and takes about 4-5 fill ups to get the fuel in the tank consistent. I'm real close to getting the carbs where I want them and now it looks like I will have to buy another sensor. Once I'm done I will not be changing anything else on this engine. (well... maybe just a couple things).

 

[Canyon707]

Mine doesn't jump around 2-3 points, it goes from 10 to 20. Last week I calibrated the sensor twice but it still reads 22.4, (which is the max reading). The first sensor just read an error code. When I first installed it and after I replaced the sensor it seamed to work correctly for about a month, (which is around 200-300 miles). The sensor is a Bosch, which I consider a good brand. I'm in the process of changing fuels (from 110 octane to 93), which really leans things out and takes about 4-5 fill ups to get the fuel in the tank consistent. I'm real close to getting the carbs where I want them and now it looks like I will have to buy another sensor. Once I'm done I will not be changing anything else on this engine. (well... maybe just a couple things).

The sensors dont' last I would never leave them in the plugs after I run them to dial in the af. once done its pretty much done.

 

[texas69bee]

Canyon707... How come they last longer in todays cars? If a guy was eventually going to switch over to EFI, will the sensors go bad on that setup as well, or are these sensors of the cheaper type? If that's the case, then it sounds like the way to go is to find a gauge set with the best available sensor???

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

Racepak uses a Bosch sensor you can buy at your local parts store.

 

[Canyon707]

Canyon707... How come they last longer in todays cars? If a guy was eventually going to switch over to EFI, will the sensors go bad on that setup as well, or are these sensors of the cheaper type? If that's the case, then it sounds like the way to go is to find a gauge set with the best available sensor???

I really dont know why but, I have been told that proper location on the exhaust is important. I had issues with a fast sensor getting bad readings. Probably mfg tech support should know. One thing for sure they sell them so they must go bad at some point.

 

[Gpuller]

I have one from innovate motorsports. I'm ready to throw it in the trash. It keeps changing readings, my car is running rich, an hour later it is running lean. Then I recallibrate it and it's running rich again. Also I've replaced the O2 sensor after about 3 months. Now 3 months later it needs replaced again.

How long have you had yours?
I have one too, just installed beginning of June. No problems yet.

 

[dla4567]

Late last year, maybe Oct.- Nov.