hey, i am trying to decide which wideband setup to go with. are they pretty much the same or would you guys personally prefer one over the other? if so why. thanks much, heath

 

What is your preferred interface? I would take a look at the PLX Devices instead....www.plxdevices.com

 

hmm... prefered interface would most likely be a simple digital gauge (which both AEM and innnovative offer). innovative also has some logging equiptment that can be swapped in as well... and even offer an anologue gauge w/ a dial. having something that fits into a guage pod is a definate plus... as im running out of room for "rectagular boxes" in my car. the glove box and drivers door bin are the only places i have left for storage, and with boost controlers etc etc in the glove box, im not sure where to even put a spare quart of oil.

anyway, im getting side tracked. maybe im just splitting hairs here... but if there are any advantages to the AEM over the innovative unit what would they be. otherwise ill just order the innovative one (based on looks alone).

 

the aem doesnt read low enough, IMO. its lowest digit is 11:1. . . which is fine when the tuning is done and youre running 11.5:1 or something like that, but i would want to SEE what it actually is at if its below 11:1. innovate hands down!!! . . . especially, if you are wanting the round gauge. . . although, techedge is a good one as well. . . and they TOO have a round gauge.

 

I like the LM-1 although I have nothing to compare it to. Yes its a little big and expensive but once you get the remote display you can hid the large box somewhere else. The main reason I went with the LM-1 was as stated above. It will read well below 11.0:1. I've personaly seen on as low as 9.5:1 sometimes on my setup. Yes too rich but al least I know how rich.

 

http://www.plxdevices.com/onlinestore_domestic.htm

The M-250 plus gauge is only $370....

Other than constant monitoring (no thanks, too much crap to pay attention to already!), I don't see the need for an A/F display. Just run the output to the Datalogit for logging and tuning and be done with it.

The M-300 (with AFR displayed on unit itself) is only $315.

 

How do these work as a stock narrowband replacement, extra wiring or what?

 

You just run wiring from the simulated narrowband output on the wideband controller to your ecu. So yes, extra wiring will be involved. The wideband will derive a 0-1V output from the wideband signal that behaves as a typical narrowband sensor.

 

It is highly recommended to move the sensor way downstream (after the cat) so you can still have your narrowband hooked up.
If you do replace your narrow band w/ wide band, they all have an extra narrow band output wire to run to your ecu.

 

Negative! You MUST have the wideband installed upstream of any cat converters. At the bottom of the downpipe or at the beginning of the midpipe is a great placement.

 

the new AEM reads below 11:1

 

Whoever told you this couldn't be MORE wrong! The wideband sensor as close to the exhaust side of the turbo as possbile. Any further downstream and you start getting less accurate readings on your air/fuel mixture.

 

while i agree that putting the sensor AFTER the cat is a totally stupid idea, i disagree with you here, ernieT... why would the AFR read differently when you have the sensor 2" from the turbine as opposed to 8" from the turbine? does the ratio of air to fuel change the further it gets away from the turbine wheel? it ay change the AFR since the unburnt fuel is burning in the exhaust, but is it enough to notice?
i'd go so far to say that its actually BAD to get the sensor as close to the turbo as possible due to the higher EGT's that it will see from day-to-day, which would decrease longevity...

if what you're saying is correct, then what about the tailpipe sniffers? are they totally useless because they are 6 feet from the turbo discharge? are they just calibrated differently?

 

Just don't put the sensor so close that you have problems with heat. The LM1 does have this problem. I've put mine about 1 foot behind the turbo down the down pipe, give or take some. I had it closer and my sensors were over heating and failing.

 

No, but if you put it behind your cat it will change. A catalist changes the air. Also, the further back you put it, the less accurate it will be due to things like small leaks in the exhaust, etc....But it doesn't matter whether its 2" or 8".

 

You guys are right, and I mis typed. I meant to say after the downpipe, not cat.

ErnieT - what I have learned, and practice, is to keep it as far from the turbos as possible due to heat relation to the sensor, but before any cat you have. I installed mine in my midpipe, about midway down @ 11:00.