11 replies to this topic

[jeremybarnes]

I'm confused...

 

- I'd like to add air-fuel mixture data to my AIM EVO4 data aq system, when I finally add the adjustable FPR, so...

- I've decided I'm going to purchase the 5X adjustable FPR

- Do I need to add the AEM gauge and wideband kit they sell to my purchase?

- is it possible to just put an O2 sensor in the downpipe and (somehow) plug it into the AIM, so I don't need the AEM "middle man"?

 

and lastly...

- based on the answers to the above questions, can someone shoot me the way to set up the O2 sensor or the AEM gauge into the AIM system?

 

Lots of questions, thanks to anyone who can help me out here...

Jeremy

[chris haldeman]

Easy button is the aim lc1 wide band. Pricy but is plug and play with the evo 4s

[jeremybarnes]

Thanks Chris.

 

So the LCU-One is $389 at its cheapest, and $399 at 99% of the vendors. To that I need to add the 5X FPR with a gauge, and that's $171.  So I'm in for $600 with tax and shipping for the whole thing.  Right?

 

Is there really no cheaper way to do it?  The full kit from 5X -- FPR, gauge and AEM gauge (which apparently has the 0-5v output needed to connect to the AIM) is $350.   While I want do do this right, I'd rather not spend $600 if I can do the same for $350.  That said, if I NEED to the LCU-One kit, so be it.

 

Any other thoughts?

[Steve Scheifler]

To your earlier question, no you cannot buy just a wideband sensor or sensor and gauge. Unlike most temperature and pressure sensors, a wideband requires dedicated hardware and logic to control it and produce the analog voltage output. But there is nothing special about the AIM unit so don’t feel you need to overpay for theirs. At best they were very late to the game and if they’re smart just repackaged one from a more experienced company.

If you really want to save a few bucks, look at the Zeitronix Zt-3 + ZR-3 combo $209 (controller gauge and sensor), or with a nicer low-profile gauge the Zt-3 + ZR-1 combo $239, directly from them.

[davew]

Sometimes less cash outlay equals less favorable performance. Do it right with the AIM sensor kit, expensive, yes, but it does work well.

 

Note, I sell fuel regs, the AEM gauge and the AIM system. So I am unbiased at least in the "I want your money" aspect

[Tom Hampton]

Sometimes less cash outlay equals less favorable performance.

And sometimes more money is just more money.  There's plenty of evidence that the AEM / UEGO system is a quality system, its not some fly-by-night also-ran.  Personally, I have plenty of side-by-side data comparisons between my AEM and dyno AFR to show that the AEM is accurate.  The ultimate long term accuracy is driven by the sensor, its placement and orientation, and how long you wait between replacing it. 
 
To the OP. 

 

As Chris said, the easy button will be the AIM LC1, because you just install and connect it up.  If you aren't put off by a little DIY, then....

 

The AEM gage has a 0-5V output.  It comes with a long harness, and a signal/reference pair of wires for the 0-5V output.  The output is setup to output AFR on the analog output. 

 

0.5 Vdc =   8.5:1 AFR

4.5Vdc  =  18.0:1 AFR
 
I don't have an AIM Daq system, mine is a Racepak.  But, the idea will be the same.  I have several analog inputs in my Daq.  So, I wire the white/brown pair to an open analog input, and then program my Daq system according to the data above.  I think I ultimately made a couple tweaks to the transfer function to account for offset/gain errors in my Daq that caused logged data to be slightly different from the gage readout. 

 

As I said above, I've had numerous occasions to compare the AEM gage output to a secondary Wideband (on the Dyno) over the years.  They have always agreed within about 0.2 AFR. 

 

However, it is necessary to replace the O2 sensor, periodically (every 1-2 years).

 

Finally, note that I have a 1.6L.  I don't know that's particularly relevant in this conversation, though. 

 

I should also note, that I'm an computer and electrical engineer with 25 years of experience designing analog circuits, and data acquisition systems for industrial, military, and avionic applications. So, I might not be the average Joe.  That said, what I described above isn't rocket-surgery.  If you aren't color blind and can read a PDF, maybe can solder or use a crimping tool....it should be straightforward. 

[Mark]

If you have an AiM data system the no brainer is the AiM LCU (wideband) using a CAN bus connection. Most current AiM data systems only have 4 (mx*) or 5 (evo4s) native analog connections and while the number of analog channels can be increased easily it comes at a price. If you have oil pressure, water temp, brake pressure, and fuel pressure that is four analog channels.

Mark

[davew]

Since Tom baited me;

 

I sell the AEM, have had some instances of bad gauges. Thus my preference for the AIM system.

 

I prefer my regulator over the 5x version. But I should!

 

Because we run 30 weekends and average 10 cars per weekend, we have a larger chance to see failures. And this is what we see.

 

My opinion, based on my experience. YMMV

 

Dave

[Tom Hampton]

I have Dave's 1.6L regulator. 

 

I've had it for 4 years now?  I don't even remember, exactly---I know I bought it within a month of it being available for sale.  I remember checking weekly waiting for it to be available after you'd announced it. 

 

Its been rock solid.  It is absolutely set-it-and-forget it.  I log FP, as well as AFR.  FP vs. RPM simply doesn't change unless I move the screw.  I almost feel like I'm wasting an analog channel because its been so reliable. 

 

I can't comment on the 5x (or anything related to NA8 / 99 / VVT), because the AA (1.6L) is the only thing I've ever used. 

[TrailBrake]

I would not go with the AEM gauge. Like previously said, the LCU1 is the easiest to add and works really well. It doesn't take up an analog input and has a nice feature set.

 

If you don't go with that, I recommend the Spartan from 14point7.com https://www.14point7...da-controller-2 It's the cheapest and I've found it be very accurate when running against other systems. It comes with the analog outputs and is easy to add to an AiM patch cable.

[jeremybarnes]

Thanks everyone, really top-notch information -- as always.  Think I'm going with the LCU-One, as it's plug-and-play for my EVO4, and I know it'll just work. This was exactly what I was hoping to learn.

 

Jeremy.

[Richard Astacio]

I also use the Aim LCU.... After each session i review, Water Temp, Oil Pressure, Engine Revs, Air/Fuel @ 4th gear between 5500 Rpm - 6200 Rpm, fuel pressure, voltage, etc. 

While I do glance at my gauge during the session but depending if you are racing or qualifying I doubt you are going to look at your data for a long time while on track.