What to monitor for SC? (AFR,Boost,Fuel,EGT,EGO) - Best Gauges (AEM, Zeit, Auto)?
04-29-2006, 04:30 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
What to monitor for SC? (AFR,Boost,Fuel,EGT,EGO) - Best Gauges (AEM, Zeit, Auto)?
I'm getting the SC, am new to F/I, and am hunting around for gauges to avoid issues like bklynpanman ran into and to keep tabs on the engine. I also have the pro-cats/custom magnaflow exhaust.
I'd like to figure out what things to instrument to:
- monitor the engine/SC to ensure long engine life
- tune if Hondata comes out with a programmable ECU
Question #1: What are people monitoring, why, and is it worth the money?
Question #2: What gauges would you recommend as a good bang for the buck?
Based on what everyone else is getting it sounds like
- AFR is a must have
- Boost seems to be defacto but some links (see link below) say it's not that useful in practice
- EGT, lambda, or fuel pressure gauges aren't mentioned that much around here.
Here's a link explaining different things you can monitor and why:
http://www.gadgetonline.com/Gauges.h...0to%20monitor:
He recommends the following as the most useful to monitor with a SC:
- AFR
- fuel pressure
- EGT
Several people here have recommended the AEM UEGO Wideband. Seems like if you only got a single gauge/controller this would be the one.
So I was thinking of going with the AEM UEGO but wanted to add an Autometer boost gauge. That turns out to be like $700 of gauges/controllers total, so I started hunting around for other options.
I came across the Zeitronix Zt-2 kit w/ remote LCD display for $400-$560 depending on the sensors you get.
For $279 you can skip the remote LCD and use the data logging feature w/free software and hookup your laptop to record up to 9hrs of data.
http://www.zeitronix.com/Products/zt2/zt2.htm
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=355005
http://www.roadraceengineering.com/w...d-allparts.htm
http://forums.evolutionm.net/archive.../t-155342.html
Looks like a nice kit and a good value. The remote LCD display will even fit in the top pocket under the radio measuring 4.7" x 2" x 0.9".
Anyone have any experience with it? Any other similar kits to consider? Is this overkill for the Comptech SC?
I'd like to figure out what things to instrument to:
- monitor the engine/SC to ensure long engine life
- tune if Hondata comes out with a programmable ECU
Question #1: What are people monitoring, why, and is it worth the money?
Question #2: What gauges would you recommend as a good bang for the buck?
Based on what everyone else is getting it sounds like
- AFR is a must have
- Boost seems to be defacto but some links (see link below) say it's not that useful in practice
- EGT, lambda, or fuel pressure gauges aren't mentioned that much around here.
Here's a link explaining different things you can monitor and why:
http://www.gadgetonline.com/Gauges.h...0to%20monitor:
He recommends the following as the most useful to monitor with a SC:
- AFR
- fuel pressure
- EGT
Several people here have recommended the AEM UEGO Wideband. Seems like if you only got a single gauge/controller this would be the one.
So I was thinking of going with the AEM UEGO but wanted to add an Autometer boost gauge. That turns out to be like $700 of gauges/controllers total, so I started hunting around for other options.
I came across the Zeitronix Zt-2 kit w/ remote LCD display for $400-$560 depending on the sensors you get.
For $279 you can skip the remote LCD and use the data logging feature w/free software and hookup your laptop to record up to 9hrs of data.
http://www.zeitronix.com/Products/zt2/zt2.htm
Zeitronix Zt-2 kit with LCD display. Lambda, A/F, Boost and EGT all on one display with datalogging capability. At the time, it was the best bang for the buck at just over $500 which included all necessary sensors.
http://www.roadraceengineering.com/w...d-allparts.htm
http://forums.evolutionm.net/archive.../t-155342.html
Looks like a nice kit and a good value. The remote LCD display will even fit in the top pocket under the radio measuring 4.7" x 2" x 0.9".
Anyone have any experience with it? Any other similar kits to consider? Is this overkill for the Comptech SC?
04-29-2006, 05:26 PM
#2
321 whp SAE
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i have a s/c and i'm using the aem uego and autometer nexus series boost and water temp gagues.. i also have oil temp and pressure but the gauges itself i unplugged.. when i get bored this summer i may hook them up.. but.. yeah the egt is probably another good idea..
04-29-2006, 08:16 PM
#3
i would go EGT over AFR UNLESS you go wideband o2. that's the only way to go. aem wo2 would probably be most accurate.
greddy also makes pretty accurate gauges. i wouldnt trust cheapo ones. go for quality, it could mean your engine.
oh yea, i would go with a boost gauge.
greddy also makes pretty accurate gauges. i wouldnt trust cheapo ones. go for quality, it could mean your engine.
oh yea, i would go with a boost gauge.
04-29-2006, 11:34 PM
#4
Racer
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by CleanCL
i would go EGT over AFR UNLESS you go wideband o2. that's the only way to go. aem wo2 would probably be most accurate.
greddy also makes pretty accurate gauges. i wouldnt trust cheapo ones. go for quality, it could mean your engine.
oh yea, i would go with a boost gauge.
greddy also makes pretty accurate gauges. i wouldnt trust cheapo ones. go for quality, it could mean your engine.
oh yea, i would go with a boost gauge.
The zeitronix looks pretty good quality (checkout the links below) with the same W02 sensor as the AEM (looks like everyone's using the LSU4 sensor).
It also has a narrowband converter so you can put the WO2 sensor in the factory bung and redirect narrowband output to the factory ECU (Not sure if this will work with the TL)
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showt...hp?t=123630994
http://stangtuning.com/showthread.php?t=2154
http://www.350z-tech.com/forums/lofi...php/t3869.html
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1483199
The AEM is an acceptable unit, although nothing at all special. It uses the Bosch LSU4 wideband sensor, commonly available from VW dealerships for ~$40. I'd recommend other units that use the LSU4 sensor more highly over the AEM: the PLX M300 is a model of simplicity (I have one and love it), the Innovate LM1 has a great feature set for datalogging, the Zeitronix is intended to be a no-frills datalogging oriented unit, the Techedge 2.0 has K-type thermocouple interfaces as well as datalogging... Point being, there are better values for money than the AEM.
I saw the article about the LM-1 and the heat sink problem with the O2. I dunno. It makes me wonder. The UEGO1000, the PLX, the AEM, the Zeitronix, and the LM-1 all use a Bosch LSU4 or 4.2 sensor.
trinh, i know your talking from what you have seen and read so i dont expecct u to know everything that the actual user might.
the zeitronix unit COULD be bought with a standalone display, but i have a laptop, and opt to use it.
it can datalog many, many hours. in fact i think i have datalogged 2-3 hours on one session, and then you can review it by searching for the map point, or just clicking and dragging.
the zeitronix unit has inputs for boost(map/maf) EGT, RPM,TPS, and it has one user selectable input, which you can use for anything you want.
it will also display in graph form, or can show you a numerical readout.
i found particualrly useful the ability to pause the screen with the space bar while still continuing to datalog. makes it real easy to look at a pull while still watching AFR.
also being able to cut,paste and transpose datalogs to see differences between pulls is really nice.
i have yet to see another datalogging unit that has the functions this one does at the price point, and also be able to hide it when your not datalogging.
the innvotaive unit sucks IMO, you have to buy analog connectors just to read rpm on it! it costs more and it has that obtrusive box that is hard to hide, has a small screen, and limmited datalogging capability. not to mention if you look at the import tuner test, it wasnt as accurate as the zeitronix unit.
the zeitronix unit COULD be bought with a standalone display, but i have a laptop, and opt to use it.
it can datalog many, many hours. in fact i think i have datalogged 2-3 hours on one session, and then you can review it by searching for the map point, or just clicking and dragging.
the zeitronix unit has inputs for boost(map/maf) EGT, RPM,TPS, and it has one user selectable input, which you can use for anything you want.
it will also display in graph form, or can show you a numerical readout.
i found particualrly useful the ability to pause the screen with the space bar while still continuing to datalog. makes it real easy to look at a pull while still watching AFR.
also being able to cut,paste and transpose datalogs to see differences between pulls is really nice.
i have yet to see another datalogging unit that has the functions this one does at the price point, and also be able to hide it when your not datalogging.
the innvotaive unit sucks IMO, you have to buy analog connectors just to read rpm on it! it costs more and it has that obtrusive box that is hard to hide, has a small screen, and limmited datalogging capability. not to mention if you look at the import tuner test, it wasnt as accurate as the zeitronix unit.
04-30-2006, 12:27 PM
#5
Racer
Thread Starter
Best places to mount sensors on the TL (EGT, W02, MAP)?
So where to mount the sensors?
- EGT on the downpipe before the 1st cat?
- W02 near one of the existing front 02 on the exhaust or should I use the simulated narrowband output and swap the W02 for the front 02?
- Boost (MAP) sensor - does this replace/piggyback the existing MAP sensor?
Looks like they just introduced a new all black LCD display
http://www.zeitronix.com/order/order.htm
Another nice review from the Vette forums:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=909511
- EGT on the downpipe before the 1st cat?
- W02 near one of the existing front 02 on the exhaust or should I use the simulated narrowband output and swap the W02 for the front 02?
- Boost (MAP) sensor - does this replace/piggyback the existing MAP sensor?
Looks like they just introduced a new all black LCD display
http://www.zeitronix.com/order/order.htm
Another nice review from the Vette forums:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=909511
04-30-2006, 11:33 PM
#6
318whp/289wtq @ 6psi
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Well I say get Fuel pressure, a/f wideband and boost gauge. Boost gauge so you will know if your belt is slipping, fuel pressure so you know you are at the correct fuel pressure at all times and the wideband to know your exact a/f ratio. That's the same gauges I have except I have a oil pressure gauge opposed to the fuel pressure. Good luck.
05-01-2006, 09:02 AM
#7
The Boss
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Originally Posted by bTwix
I'm getting the SC, am new to F/I, and am hunting around for gauges to avoid issues like bklynpanman ran into and to keep tabs on the engine. I also have the pro-cats/custom magnaflow exhaust.
I'd like to figure out what things to instrument to:
- monitor the engine/SC to ensure long engine life
- tune if Hondata comes out with a programmable ECU
Question #1: What are people monitoring, why, and is it worth the money?
Question #2: What gauges would you recommend as a good bang for the buck?
Based on what everyone else is getting it sounds like
- AFR is a must have
- Boost seems to be defacto but some links (see link below) say it's not that useful in practice
- EGT, lambda, or fuel pressure gauges aren't mentioned that much around here.
Here's a link explaining different things you can monitor and why:
http://www.gadgetonline.com/Gauges.h...0to%20monitor:
He recommends the following as the most useful to monitor with a SC:
- AFR
- fuel pressure
- EGT
Several people here have recommended the AEM UEGO Wideband. Seems like if you only got a single gauge/controller this would be the one.
So I was thinking of going with the AEM UEGO but wanted to add an Autometer boost gauge. That turns out to be like $700 of gauges/controllers total, so I started hunting around for other options.
I came across the Zeitronix Zt-2 kit w/ remote LCD display for $400-$560 depending on the sensors you get.
For $279 you can skip the remote LCD and use the data logging feature w/free software and hookup your laptop to record up to 9hrs of data.
http://www.zeitronix.com/Products/zt2/zt2.htm
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=355005
http://www.roadraceengineering.com/w...d-allparts.htm
http://forums.evolutionm.net/archive.../t-155342.html
Looks like a nice kit and a good value. The remote LCD display will even fit in the top pocket under the radio measuring 4.7" x 2" x 0.9".
Anyone have any experience with it? Any other similar kits to consider? Is this overkill for the Comptech SC?
I'd like to figure out what things to instrument to:
- monitor the engine/SC to ensure long engine life
- tune if Hondata comes out with a programmable ECU
Question #1: What are people monitoring, why, and is it worth the money?
Question #2: What gauges would you recommend as a good bang for the buck?
Based on what everyone else is getting it sounds like
- AFR is a must have
- Boost seems to be defacto but some links (see link below) say it's not that useful in practice
- EGT, lambda, or fuel pressure gauges aren't mentioned that much around here.
Here's a link explaining different things you can monitor and why:
http://www.gadgetonline.com/Gauges.h...0to%20monitor:
He recommends the following as the most useful to monitor with a SC:
- AFR
- fuel pressure
- EGT
Several people here have recommended the AEM UEGO Wideband. Seems like if you only got a single gauge/controller this would be the one.
So I was thinking of going with the AEM UEGO but wanted to add an Autometer boost gauge. That turns out to be like $700 of gauges/controllers total, so I started hunting around for other options.
I came across the Zeitronix Zt-2 kit w/ remote LCD display for $400-$560 depending on the sensors you get.
For $279 you can skip the remote LCD and use the data logging feature w/free software and hookup your laptop to record up to 9hrs of data.
http://www.zeitronix.com/Products/zt2/zt2.htm
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=355005
http://www.roadraceengineering.com/w...d-allparts.htm
http://forums.evolutionm.net/archive.../t-155342.html
Looks like a nice kit and a good value. The remote LCD display will even fit in the top pocket under the radio measuring 4.7" x 2" x 0.9".
Anyone have any experience with it? Any other similar kits to consider? Is this overkill for the Comptech SC?
You'll be spending about $400~500, use that money for something else. It's a waste.............
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05-01-2006, 09:06 AM
#8
321 whp SAE
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Originally Posted by AcuraDriver2006
My advice is YOU DON'T NEED IT. With 4 lbs of boost, rarely hits 5lbs of boost, you don't need any of that. Least I don't have anything or don't plan on getting anything on my TL. It's not a 15 psi Supra my friend, it's only a 4 lbs, 5 max SC TL.
You'll be spending about $400~500, use that money for something else. It's a waste.............
You'll be spending about $400~500, use that money for something else. It's a waste.............
05-01-2006, 11:04 AM
#9
Racer
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by bklynpanman
A/F is not a waste. when i had the blower first installed, something happened with my fuel pressure regulator and i almost blew up my engine.. i didn't have the A/F wideband hooked up at the time.. my car was leaning out at 17... so my friend, that's some bad advice...
05-01-2006, 11:15 AM
#10
Racer
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by AcuraDriver2006
My advice is YOU DON'T NEED IT. With 4 lbs of boost, rarely hits 5lbs of boost, you don't need any of that. Least I don't have anything or don't plan on getting anything on my TL. It's not a 15 psi Supra my friend, it's only a 4 lbs, 5 max SC TL.
You'll be spending about $400~500, use that money for something else. It's a waste.............
You'll be spending about $400~500, use that money for something else. It's a waste.............
05-01-2006, 09:32 PM
#12
tehLEGOman
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I'm pretty sure after i install the air/fuel gauge it will move from rich to lean sporadically when the throttle is at 25%.
I think it will be beneficial to monitor this.
I think it will be beneficial to monitor this.
05-01-2006, 11:00 PM
#13
Racer
Thread Starter
Fuel Pressure Sensor + zt2?
So I'm leaning towrard the zeitronix zt-2 since the display will fit in the front pocket and it has data logging. Only thing holding me up is the fuel pressure sensor.
zt-2 has a user input of 0-5v. I'm assuming I could hook this up to an analog fuel pressure sensor and then map from 0-5v to the corresponding fuel pressure values. Would this work? What fuel pressure sensors do you guys recommend or can I tap something in the ECU?
If I get boost, AFR, EGT, and fuel pressure going to the zt-2 I could fit the display in the front pocket under the radio and do data logging to the laptop.
What do you guys think?
zt-2 has a user input of 0-5v. I'm assuming I could hook this up to an analog fuel pressure sensor and then map from 0-5v to the corresponding fuel pressure values. Would this work? What fuel pressure sensors do you guys recommend or can I tap something in the ECU?
If I get boost, AFR, EGT, and fuel pressure going to the zt-2 I could fit the display in the front pocket under the radio and do data logging to the laptop.
What do you guys think?
05-02-2006, 01:24 AM
#14
300whp 237wtrq
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Does the Wideband o2 let u tap into the ecu for readout? i'm not big into drilling and welding 
I'm all excited! I got the money for headers, exhaust, S/C!!!
just need to find good prices before i purchase
I'm all excited!
I got the money for headers, exhaust, S/C!!!just need to find good prices before i purchase
05-03-2006, 12:22 AM
#15
Racer
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by MugenR
Does the Wideband o2 let u tap into the ecu for readout? i'm not big into drilling and welding
I'm all excited! I got the money for headers, exhaust, S/C!!!
just need to find good prices before i purchase
I'm all excited!
I got the money for headers, exhaust, S/C!!!just need to find good prices before i purchase
Alternatively you could drill and weld a new bung on the exhaust for the wideband 02 and leave the factory ECU alone.
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