3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Autometer A/F gauge: Opinions?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-16-02, 01:47 PM
  #1  
uid 0

Thread Starter
 
SanJoRX7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Autometer A/F gauge: Opinions?

I'm deciding on whether to get the single or dual A-pillar pod (because I can't shell out the coin for the RE column mount one ), and am thinking that I'll probably get an A/F gauge. As far as I can tell, the Autometer one is pretty much the only one out there. Anyone else know of any other brands?

What are your guys' opinions on the Autometer unit? Opinions on others? Basically, I dont want to waste money on a gauge that just makes pretty blinking lights while my engine becomes a smoking pile of carbon.
Old 01-16-02, 01:59 PM
  #2  
Ex fd *****

 
maxpesce's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Ventura CA USA
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I like my AutometerAF guage - though it is a bit bright at night - there are others but all cost at least twice as much, Someone (Greedy I think) even makes an analog one. Just remember any A/F meter is only as good as the OXYGEN SENSOR it is attached to Get a new BOSCH or other HIGH QUALITY sensor when you get your A/F meter.
Old 01-16-02, 03:10 PM
  #3  
www.silverbulletrx7.com

 
dis1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Gaithersburg, Md
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Cyberdyne makes a nice unit that's cheaper than Autometer however I don't like the way it looks. I have the autometer gauge even though I really hate autocrapper products like their boost gauge. Anyway it's a hard thing to screw up because it's just lights and resistors. There are even sites that tell you how to make your own. I think it's a nice thing to have and it tells me things like "that hesitation you just felt was because of a temporary lean running engine." It's not precise but it reacts much faster than something like exhaust temp.
Old 01-16-02, 03:25 PM
  #4  
uid 0

Thread Starter
 
SanJoRX7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Greddy A/F gauge

I just was looking at the Greddy unit on some different websites and at ~$290 it's pretty expensive (compared to the $65 for the Autometer one) but it comes with another O2 sensor. Any comments/opinons on this one?
Old 01-16-02, 04:34 PM
  #5  
The Anti-Prius

iTrader: (9)
 
Sled Driver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Federal Way, WA
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Go Narrow Display!!

I bought a Cyberdine air/fuel meter.

It was modified to read from 0.79vdc to 0.98vdc, instead of from 0.1vdc to 1.0vdc. It included a sheet of the voltage outputs of each LED. Displays in 0.03vdc increments instead of .1vdc.

What does that mean?

Increased sensitivity. Only lights up at idle & under boost.
The reason your buying one is to make sure your not running lean under boost. You don't need or use it under normal driving.

It doesn't replace a true WIDE band O2 for accurate tuning, but for day to day driving it's easy to verify your O2 sensor is above the minimum 0.8vdc under boost.

I have no lights on during normal cruise speeds, so no distractions. You'll soon get tired of the light show.

Search the web for that guy's site. He sells complete gauges or will mods yours for under $40. He has Autometer, Cyberdine, Tripoint, & some others in stock.

If you do a search of my posts you'll can see a picture I took of mine, installed.
I have a R-1 so I have it installed in the spot for the cruise control switch on the dash hood.
Old 01-16-02, 05:43 PM
  #6  
Altitude SUCKS!!!

 
Dr Wankel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would go with an EGT (exhaust gas temp) gauge over the A/F. The EGT's will in general give you a more accurate look at whats going on. Most A/F gauges tend to bounce around alot while driving and will only show a true value when you are getting on it. While you can get an electric EGT that has a peak hold function and consentrate on the road and not trying to see what the gauge is doing while you are getting on it hard.
Old 01-16-02, 05:49 PM
  #7  
uid 0

Thread Starter
 
SanJoRX7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Well, I plan on getting the EGT eventually, but since I'm trying to figure out which A/F gauge to get to put in the dual pillar pod (if that's what I decide) I'd like to focus on that. The EGT is a given, as well as a couple other gauges, but those will be installed later and in a different location (in the dash DIN spot below the stereo head unit).
Old 01-16-02, 05:58 PM
  #8  
Check out my Mooseknuckle

 
unixpilot's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Sunny Fla
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: Go Narrow Display!!

I have the dawesdevices a/f meter which also is setup the same as the Cyberdine. Seems to work good and has a built in dimmer as well.

I'm happy with it. Plus its small enough you can mount it anywhere without a gauge pod...

Check it out....... http://www.dawesdevices.com/airfuelmeter.html


Originally posted by Sled Driver
I bought a Cyberdine air/fuel meter.

It was modified to read from 0.79vdc to 0.98vdc, instead of from 0.1vdc to 1.0vdc. It included a sheet of the voltage outputs of each LED. Displays in 0.03vdc increments instead of .1vdc.

What does that mean?

Increased sensitivity. Only lights up at idle & under boost.
The reason your buying one is to make sure your not running lean under boost. You don't need or use it under normal driving.

It doesn't replace a true WIDE band O2 for accurate tuning, but for day to day driving it's easy to verify your O2 sensor is above the minimum 0.8vdc under boost.

I have no lights on during normal cruise speeds, so no distractions. You'll soon get tired of the light show.

Search the web for that guy's site. He sells complete gauges or will mods yours for under $40. He has Autometer, Cyberdine, Tripoint, & some others in stock.

If you do a search of my posts you'll can see a picture I took of mine, installed.
I have a R-1 so I have it installed in the spot for the cruise control switch on the dash hood.
Old 01-16-02, 06:48 PM
  #9  
Z06 powered FD

 
GsrSol's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I hate Autometer gauges but I'm also not smart enough to figure out the voltages on a numeric gauge on demand so my favorite has always been the Halmeter and it is very acurate.

Old 01-16-02, 09:28 PM
  #10  
Full Member

 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Columbus,OHIO
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by Dr Wankel
I would go with an EGT (exhaust gas temp) gauge over the A/F. The EGT's will in general give you a more accurate look at whats going on. Most A/F gauges tend to bounce around alot while driving and will only show a true value when you are getting on it. While you can get an electric EGT that has a peak hold function and consentrate on the road and not trying to see what the gauge is doing while you are getting on it hard.
Ditto....besides, those flashy leds from my af gauge really get on my nerves at night. I think it looks kinda cheasy imo....i'll sell you my autometer af gauge if you are interested.
Old 01-17-02, 12:11 PM
  #11  
uid 0

Thread Starter
 
SanJoRX7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Dr. Wankel has a point...it only shows where you are when you're on it. Well, if you really think about it, when would you be most worried about leaning out? While you're driving around town (i.e. not at WOT) you don't care too much for where you are (unless something's *really* wrong), but when you're reallying hopping on it, you need to see where you are. I'm gonna get an A/F gauge soon, I'm just trying to determine which ones are good/bad. Thus far it seems that most ppl are sort of varied in their opinions. For the price it seems that the Autometer unit is a good buy, but that's only so good, considering that it uses the stock O2 sensor and not and additional one.


Originally posted by Dr Wankel
I would go with an EGT (exhaust gas temp) gauge over the A/F. The EGT's will in general give you a more accurate look at whats going on. Most A/F gauges tend to bounce around alot while driving and will only show a true value when you are getting on it. While you can get an electric EGT that has a peak hold function and consentrate on the road and not trying to see what the gauge is doing while you are getting on it hard.
Old 01-17-02, 12:48 PM
  #12  
Rotary Enthusiast

 
the_saint's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 1,035
Received 48 Likes on 32 Posts
Check out EFI's DIY website. Build your own wideband o2 sensor.

I have the circuit board all done, and the sensor, just need to find the time to fiddle with it.

the_saint
Old 01-17-02, 12:56 PM
  #13  
Ex fd *****

 
maxpesce's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Ventura CA USA
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally posted by Dr Wankel
I would go with an EGT (exhaust gas temp) gauge over the A/F. The EGT's will in general give you a more accurate look at whats going on. Most A/F gauges tend to bounce around alot while driving and will only show a true value when you are getting on it. While you can get an electric EGT that has a peak hold function and consentrate on the road and not trying to see what the gauge is doing while you are getting on it hard.
I have an Autometer A/F guage and it only BOUNCES AROUND when the ECU is in closed loop mode! This is exactly as it should be as the ECU hunts back & forth between rich & lean. At Idle/Coast it shows Lean (down to no signal) and on part throttle thru WOT it shows 1-3 bars Rich tracking with increased boost.
Old 01-17-02, 01:19 PM
  #14  
Addicted to Track

 
TailHappy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: NC
Posts: 903
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have the Autometer in my other car (not an RX7) that has dual Weber sidedrafts, and I love it. In that setup, I can tell from the width of the band whether they're getting out of syncronization (but I guess that doesn't apply here!) Guess it depends on where you mount it, but for me it's not too bright at night (no brighter than my aftermarket stereo). It has better resolution than the other round gauge brands I could find, and looked higher quality too. I kinda think it looks cool bouncing around, so I guess that's just all personal preference. Hard to go wrong for 60 bucks....
Old 01-19-02, 02:38 PM
  #15  
Full Member

 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: OHIO
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by maxpesce
Just remember any A/F meter is only as good as the OXYGEN SENSOR it is attached to Get a new BOSCH or other HIGH QUALITY sensor when you get your A/F meter.
how much does an oxygen sensor cost and where can you order one?
Old 01-19-02, 03:14 PM
  #16  
Senior Member

 
alwan16's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 568
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by sublime5254


how much does an oxygen sensor cost and where can you order one?
you local auto parts store should have the bosch in stock. check with them. just tell them what car you have. it should cost about $36.
Old 01-19-02, 05:22 PM
  #17  
Full Member

 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: OHIO
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ok, thanks alot
Old 01-20-02, 12:55 AM
  #19  
www.silverbulletrx7.com

 
dis1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Gaithersburg, Md
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally posted by Rotary427
i have the Autometer A/F gauge...personally, I think it looks great and it's functional. But if it starts acting abnormal, you need to disconnect the battery to reset the unit.

Adrian
The unit isn't effected by any sort of resetting. If it starts acting funny and resetting your computer fixes the problem then you have something else going on.
cvs
Old 02-11-02, 08:27 PM
  #20  
Junior Member

 
hategreen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: -
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
greddy has a new a/f 60mm gauge with peak/hold capability and it comes with its own o2 sensor. I thought it was pricey at about $300, but I also don't want a hugh paper weight because I was too cheap to get an a/f that gave me info that I could use before my engine fried. I have put too much money in my FD at this point to get cheap monitoring parts. I look at it as protecting my investment.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
24seven_dada
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
20
11-10-18 12:03 PM
Jeff20B
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
73
09-16-18 07:16 PM
izzolaw
1st Gen General Discussion
2
09-27-15 08:33 PM
t-von
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
9
09-10-15 01:56 PM



Quick Reply: Autometer A/F gauge: Opinions?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:15 PM.