2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.
Sponsored by:

autometer A/F gauge, is it worth it?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-03-08, 10:31 PM
  #1  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
 
86gxl_fc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: dallas, TX 75228
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
autometer A/F gauge, is it worth it?

i just bought one today, hoping it'd give me some kind of idea on if i'm running too rich or lean.
so far, i dont see any use from it.
now i havent actually ran the car on the road but, when the car idles its as far lean as it can go.
then when i free rev it movies up to stoich, doesnt reach that Rich portion of the gauge at all.
i have a turboed-NA with 550cc primaries, and 680cc secondaries..
i can only assume that its running rich since it floods out fairly easy if i dont start it up properly.

the only other thing i can think of is that its only accurate readings are when you apply load.
can anyone clarify it for me please.
Old 04-03-08, 10:56 PM
  #2  
Top Down, Boost Up

iTrader: (7)
 
RotaryRocket88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 8,718
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
The narrow band gauge ($50 one)? I have one, but it's really only useful if you want to see when the ECU is metering at partial throttle, or get a *rough* idea of the mixture at WOT. But even then, the range is only about 14.1 to 15.1, so you can't see very far past soich. 14.7.

The wideband kit is $350, and would be far more useful if you're playing with boost levels.
Old 04-03-08, 11:14 PM
  #3  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
 
86gxl_fc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: dallas, TX 75228
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i thinkg thats what i'm getting next.
i saw a wideband on craigslist for 200 only opened up, never used.
i just saw it up there and decided to buy it just so that i could have somethin to go by.
Old 04-03-08, 11:19 PM
  #4  
Top Down, Boost Up

iTrader: (7)
 
RotaryRocket88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 8,718
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
Oh, another thing. If the gauge is never reaching the rich range, there's a good chance your O2 sensor is dead. Mine's always pegged about 2-3 bars from the end of the rich range at WOT.
Old 04-04-08, 11:41 PM
  #5  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
 
86gxl_fc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: dallas, TX 75228
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i'm pretty sure mine is dead, lol.
(i havent changed it and i'm sure the previous owner didnt either)
i think i'll go change it asap.
Old 04-05-08, 12:50 AM
  #6  
Is that thing Turbo?

 
totallimmortal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I don't like narrow band gauges they never seem to tell me much.
Old 04-05-08, 12:59 AM
  #7  
Retired Moderator, RIP

iTrader: (142)
 
misterstyx69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Smiths Falls.(near Ottawa!.Mapquest IT!)
Posts: 25,581
Likes: 0
Received 131 Likes on 114 Posts
Narrow bands are pretty useless for tuning..they are Basically Blingy Lights that Look nice.Get a Wideband on there and it will Tell you more about your AFR's and be helpful in Tuning the car's engine.Especially if you have a aftermarket Fuel system.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
The1Sun
New Member RX-7 Technical
5
09-15-15 04:45 PM
t-von
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
9
09-10-15 01:56 PM
The1Sun
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
0
09-07-15 10:21 PM



Quick Reply: autometer A/F gauge, is it worth it?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:28 PM.