Air/fuel Ratio Gauge

Muscle-Manta · Post by **Muscle-Manta** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:46 am

Can anyone recomend a good wideband air/fuel ratio gauge for carb tuning?
Not necessarly as perminent fit to the vehicle. I don't want something that is over spec ie laptop plug in.

Thanks

Paul.

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 5:44 am

I think a couple of people on here use one of these http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/products/lc1.php
Mike

sidecar · Post by **sidecar** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 7:33 am

I use an LC1. I've mounted the digital gauge in a black box that I got from Maplins along with the reset switch and other bits and bobs. I also have two long wires that come out of the box that connect up tp the battery to power the LC1 up.

I've reduced the refresh rate of the LC1 to make it easier to read the gauge. I only use the system when I'm messing about with the carb, the whole thing is removed once I'm happy with the carb setup.

One last thing, don't allow the LC1 unit to get anywhere near anything that gives of RF pulses such as the coil or a powerful igintion system "blackbox". My mate borrowed an LC1 off me an blew the thing up because of where he mounted the unit.

Post by **Coops** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 8:46 am

i use this one,
http://www.doyouneedabrain.co.uk/wbgauge.htm

topcatcustom · Post by **topcatcustom** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:18 pm

thev8kid wrote:i use this one,
http://www.doyouneedabrain.co.uk/wbgauge.htm

I like the look of that one, I was planning on fitting one as well! Are there any (ahem) cheaper options or is the lambda sensor a big part of the cost?

Muscle-Manta · Post by **Muscle-Manta** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 3:55 pm

sidecar wrote:I use an LC1. I've mounted the digital gauge in a black box that I got from Maplins along with the reset switch and other bits and bobs. I also have two long wires that come out of the box that connect up tp the battery to power the LC1 up.

I've reduced the refresh rate of the LC1 to make it easier to read the gauge. I only use the system when I'm messing about with the carb, the whole thing is removed once I'm happy with the carb setup.

One last thing, don't allow the LC1 unit to get anywhere near anything that gives of RF pulses such as the coil or a powerful igintion system "blackbox". My mate borrowed an LC1 off me an blew the thing up because of where he mounted the unit.

Pete, Have a look at this http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G2995/ Is this the sort of thing you have mounted in the black box?
Seems a bit of an overkill for a carb engine with no ECU. However as long as it would it give me the info I need to setup my carb I will buy it!

Does anyone know of something more suitable that costs less?

dnb · Post by **dnb** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:04 pm

topcatproduction wrote: I like the look of that one, I was planning on fitting one as well! Are there any (ahem) cheaper options or is the lambda sensor a big part of the cost?

The lambda sensor is indeed a significant part of the cost.

I have one of these too, and have installed a few in various cars now and found them to perform well.

(PM me and I might be able to do something about the price

)

sidecar · Post by **sidecar** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:13 pm

Muscle-Manta wrote:
sidecar wrote:I use an LC1. I've mounted the digital gauge in a black box that I got from Maplins along with the reset switch and other bits and bobs. I also have two long wires that come out of the box that connect up tp the battery to power the LC1 up.

I've reduced the refresh rate of the LC1 to make it easier to read the gauge. I only use the system when I'm messing about with the carb, the whole thing is removed once I'm happy with the carb setup.

One last thing, don't allow the LC1 unit to get anywhere near anything that gives of RF pulses such as the coil or a powerful igintion system "blackbox". My mate borrowed an LC1 off me an blew the thing up because of where he mounted the unit.
Pete, Have a look at this http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G2995/ Is this the sort of thing you have mounted in the black box?
Seems a bit of an overkill for a carb engine with no ECU. However as long as it would it give me the info I need to setup my carb I will buy it!

Does anyone know of something more suitable that costs less?

Yep that's the kit that I've got.

There is a bit of wiring to do, there seems to be about 5 things that need to be earthed so it just looked a lot neater when it was all bunged in a black box. (It will take you an hour or two to make the black box and do the wiring)

You do not need to connect it to a computer if you don't want to, I only connected up to my laptop to reduce the refresh rate to the LED display.

I can never get an image file up on this forum, if you PM me your email address I'll email you the wiring diagram that I came up with and a picture of my black box!

The device has helped me set up my Eddy 500 and a few other people’s carbs as well (My mate 800 on his monster 427 lump!)

If you do go for an Innovate watch out for the ones on ebay, I've heard that some of them are not quite 'legal' as far as Innovate (the company) are concerned therefore they might not be guaranteed. I bought my replacement LC1 from Graham Goode, 0116 2440 140 (Leicester)

Pete

Muscle-Manta · Post by **Muscle-Manta** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 7:00 pm

Pete, PM sent.

Cheers,

Paul

sidecar · Post by **sidecar** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 9:37 pm

Muscle-Manta wrote:Pete, PM sent.

Cheers,

Paul

Hi Paul,

I got your PM and I've sent you an email.

Cheers,

Pete

kev_the_mole · Post by **kev_the_mole** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:08 am

Pete,

could I have as well please. Still struggling with fast tickover on my Edelbrock

Email address kev_the_mole at hotmail.com

Cheers,

Ian

sidecar · Post by **sidecar** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:42 am

kev_the_mole wrote:Pete,

could I have as well please. Still struggling with fast tickover on my Edelbrock

Email address kev_the_mole at hotmail.com

Cheers,

Ian

Hi Ian,

No problem!

Pete

kev_the_mole · Post by **kev_the_mole** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 8:05 pm

Would it be feasible to put the O2 sensor onto a short length of pipe and run it at the end of the exhaust so the exhaust system doesn't need to be drilled and a bung fitted?

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 8:56 pm

Summit's one looks just like the Innovate.

The NGK always gets good reviews

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NGK-91101/

But in reality there are literally dozens of wideband options. LC-1 is a PITA, simply because of the wiring involved to install it.

Richard P6 · Post by **Richard P6** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 9:18 pm

I have one of these - http://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p1396 ... a3e2f69a30

Anyone tried it?

I phoned Merlin and asked for a better price

and they dropped the postage because I asked so nicely.

Very easy to rig it up.

Richard