15 replies to this topic

[William Bonsell]

Just picked up a AFX A/F monitor. Will be installing soon. Can these be permanently installed or is it best to just use them for tuning and then remove. And where is the best way and location to connect the ground as well as pull power.

[KentCarter]

Just picked up a AFX A/F monitor. Will be installing soon. Can these be permanently installed or is it best to just use them for tuning and then remove. And where is the best way and location to connect the ground as well as pull power.

I know this is gonna sound rude.... send it back and get an Innovate. Much more accurate.

[Cy Peake]

Be sure to mount it correctly, according to the manufacturer's recomendation. IIRC the one that I had (PLX I think) on my old turbo car needed to be mounted 10-15* from verticle to read accurately, and a certain distance from the turbo along the downpipe.

[Keith Andrews]

Yes you can just install them and monitor daily no problem. If you run leaded fuel your O2 sensor will get messed up (technical term) but if you run unleaded you won't have any problem. I just ordered one today and plan to run it all the time. With adjustable fuel pressure and moving back and forth between 37mm and 41mm restrictor plates it seems pretty much required for my application.

Regarding the accuracy comment, I look at my A/F gauge vs. the dyno sniffer and noted any difference. I used to use an AEM unit (on a different car) and just ordered an Autometer gauge. The Autometer gauge has an adjustment capability so I will just match it up as needed to dyno info.

[5X Racing]

Having an air/fuel ratio gauge is going to be more important than ever now with the new rules allowing adjustable fuel pressure. We have run Innovate Motorsports LC-1 kits and the Innovate XD-16 data logging systems in our cars for years. A wealth of information can be learned by monitoring your af/r in real time while on track, and with an adjustable fuel pressure regulator you can really dial in your air/fuel ratio by using the a/f ratio gauge during strait-a-way runs, paying particular attention to your rpm and where your optimum a/f ratio is coming in. We have even found problems while monitoring our a/f r on track, such as a full rich condition caused by a faulty water temp sensor on the back of the head. We were running 10:1 afr down the straits, no top end power. Started poking around and reading the manual and decided to try the sensor, surprisingly when we went back out on track we found the a/f r back where it was supposed to be (within the 13:1 range) and had our top end power back! This problem only cost us a second or so on our lap times because it was a high speed track, not much torque needed. Most people, including us, would not have realized it was the car causing the problem and probably would have blamed the problem on driving or tires without the gauge. So, since then I will ALWAYS run an air/fuel ratio gauge in my car. I even plan to put one in my street car to make sure I don't have any hidden problems hindering my efficiency.

Good choice, it is a very valuable tool for tuning.

[Zauskycop]

With the new adjustable F/P regulators, I think it would be a great idea for someone to write up a tutorial, and maybe an install guide for us newbies to the A/F gauges, or readers...

just a thought

[William Bonsell]

I know this is gonna sound rude.... send it back and get an Innovate. Much more accurate.

I guess to each his own. Picked up this one on recomendation from Karl at ART. Doesn't sell them, so I guess he just prefers them. I am sure there are several on the market which will get the job done.

[Team Cochran]

Just as a clarification, its my understanding that fuel pressure regulators are only allowed on the 99+ cars... correct? Any monitoring, displays, and instrumentation, like AF ratio meter, is free on all cars.

[trimless]

Just as a clarification, its my understanding that fuel pressure regulators are only allowed on the 99+ cars... correct? Any monitoring, displays, and instrumentation, like AF ratio meter, is free on all cars.

Geoff,

No that is not correct, both NA and NB cars are now allowed to have an adjustable regulator. AFR gauges for anything other that the stock regulator would be both legal and highly useful as others have mentioned.

[Jeff Wasilko]

Just picked up a AFX A/F monitor. Will be installing soon. Can these be permanently installed or is it best to just use them for tuning and then remove. And where is the best way and location to connect the ground as well as pull power.

I use the Innovate LC-1 with the display in my ITA-spec car. My ECU (MegaSquirt) supports the wideband, and I get the data logged via the ECU link into my datalogger. It's useful for both spot-checking on the straights and for review later.

I'd suggest fabbing or buying a heatsink for the O2 sensor. Mine started showing overheat errors after a few months. Put a new O2 sensor on w/ a heatsink and it's been fine since.

[FTodaro]

My next project after my transimssion bebuild is to install a A/F meter. I agree now that we have the adjustable fuel pressure regulator and will be leaning out to max HP having the in car gauge to monitor the mixture is a smart idea. Since running it to lean will cause a melt down. I was looking at this AEM http://www.aemonly.c...bbe06d1830c70a0
I would be interested in other opinions on the proper gauge.

Also if anyone has a suggestion on the best fuel pressure gauge to use on the fuel pressure regulator pass it on.

I would be happy to post the process of the install of the A/F meter when I get it.
Frank.

[FTodaro]

Having an air/fuel ratio gauge is going to be more important than ever now with the new rules allowing adjustable fuel pressure. We have run Innovate Motorsports LC-1 kits and the Innovate XD-16 data logging systems in our cars for years. A wealth of information can be learned by monitoring your af/r in real time while on track, and with an adjustable fuel pressure regulator you can really dial in your air/fuel ratio by using the a/f ratio gauge during strait-a-way runs, paying particular attention to your rpm and where your optimum a/f ratio is coming in. We have even found problems while monitoring our a/f r on track, such as a full rich condition caused by a faulty water temp sensor on the back of the head. We were running 10:1 afr down the straits, no top end power. Started poking around and reading the manual and decided to try the sensor, surprisingly when we went back out on track we found the a/f r back where it was supposed to be (within the 13:1 range) and had our top end power back! This problem only cost us a second or so on our lap times because it was a high speed track, not much torque needed. Most people, including us, would not have realized it was the car causing the problem and probably would have blamed the problem on driving or tires without the gauge. So, since then I will ALWAYS run an air/fuel ratio gauge in my car. I even plan to put one in my street car to make sure I don't have any hidden problems hindering my efficiency.

Good choice, it is a very valuable tool for tuning.

Can you use LC-1 just as a gauge at first without hooking up to a data logger.

[Keith Andrews]

My next project after my transimssion bebuild is to install a A/F meter. I agree now that we have the adjustable fuel pressure regulator and will be leaning out to max HP having the in car gauge to monitor the mixture is a smart idea. Since running it to lean will cause a melt down. I was looking at this AEM http://www.aemonly.c...bbe06d1830c70a0
I would be interested in other opinions on the proper gauge.

Also if anyone has a suggestion on the best fuel pressure gauge to use on the fuel pressure regulator pass it on.

I would be happy to post the process of the install of the A/F meter when I get it.
Frank.

I have used the AEM unit for two years with no issues. I had the car on the dyno numerous times Dynojet and Mustang for comparison of its A/F readings. It was always within a tenth. Easy to read, plug and play. I ended up getting Autometer gauges for my Miata build for looks and fit. The Autometer A/F display is very similar but cost $100.00 more because it has some other features I will likely never use.

[KentCarter]

Can you use LC-1 just as a gauge at first without hooking up to a data logger.

yes, they have a really really nice gauge.

[dfuser]

I have been using the autometer Digital A/F and it works great. I also have a handheld Innovate that we use for tuning just about any car. The autometer unit has been accurate in comparison to the innovate.

[5X Racing]

Can you use LC-1 just as a gauge at first without hooking up to a data logger.

You don't need to hook it to a data logger at all, it is a standalone system that comprises of an oxygen sensor, wideband controller, gauge, and everything needed to install it in your car. We have one in one of our cars and it is used strictly for monitoring the afr while on track. It is an absolute must with an adjustable fpr. In my car, I use Innovate's XD-16 system for expansion of other gauges in the future, but right now it is only monitoring the afr. I would recommend the LC-1 though, it gets the job done well and it affordable.

Email me for more info, I can assist you in getting set up with one. Hope this helps!