Any of your guys using an air fuel mixture gauge?

[shanebo]

I was just doing a little day dreaming today...You know the kind...Grand ideas of installing a full digital gauge package or those sweet black out analog gauges...Any way...I found an air fuel gauge for pretty cheap that would fit nicely where my dead clock now resides in my rally gauge cluster...Have any of you guys or gals ever hooked one of these up before? By the looks of it the sensor must thread into the exhaust...sorta looks like an o2 sensor. I know its probably intended for a higher performance application and it would probably be of no real use to me...but it sure would look cool.
 

[greymarooneightytwo]

No, but as of a week ago I've been planning on it.

I wouldn't say it's a strictly performance part, but I wonder, are you still running the ecm?

It is an O2 sensor! The one you currently have is likely a narrowband, and you need it for proper operation of the ecm.

You will probably want a wideband sensor for more accurate readings if you want to use a gauge, it should fit where the old sensor is/was.

I'm doing ecm test bypass tomorrow while I install the Gronk kit that I ordered, and I'll be rendering the O2 sensor useless.... so I figure I'll go pick up a wideband sensor and gauge sometime soon too.

Nothing that fancy though, I was just going to pick up the cheapie they have at my local parts store...

They have this exact one for $60:

[SpreadEagle]

I've been thinking of what 4 gauges to put in my custom center console. That looks sweet.

[shaggimo]

I've contemplated adding one, mainly for tuning purposes, then move it to the next car, tune, next car, tune, next car tune,  . Could be very beneficial, for maximum fuel economy.

[greymarooneightytwo]

I was planning on leaving it in long term, so I could know when my carb wanted attention.

I think I'll replace the clock in my cluster as well... mine works but I don't ever use it.

I'm also considering moving the cluster to the compartment above the stereo, where I can see it without looking down.

[BenM]

I've looked at 'em. Prices are down a lot from where a wideband sensor/gauge combo used to be.

If you're not running any kind of computer, it's pretty essential to getting a carb adjusted right.

[rollguy]

I'm doing ecm test bypass tomorrow while I install the Gronk kit that I ordered

I did mine without cutting any wires by making an adapter wire connector using the connectors and wire from an old ign module and wire harness. With this wiring, the ECM test is easily reversible by removing the adapter, and plugging in the stepper motor and ign module back to stock.

[eaglefreek]

Unless you go with a wideband, one of those gauges are useless. One where you can datalog is even better. I have one just haven't hooked it up yet.

[shaggimo]

Anyone in particular you'd recommend eaglefreek?

[vangremlin]

Shanebo, you've got an 81, correct?  So it didn't come with an O2 sensor and you'll have to add one, and there probably isn't a spot on the exhaust for it.  It's probably not too hard to add, but beyond my capability!

[carnuck]

81s are 1/2 and 1/2. Mine has the O2 but didn't have the computer.

[eaglefreek]

An O2 bung can easily be added by an exhaust shop. I have the AEM only because it was recommended by a friend.
http://www.aemelectronics.com/wideband-air-fuel-systems-15/digital-wideband-air-fuel-gauge-25/

[greymarooneightytwo]

Wow, yikes.

I can't even come close to being able to afford that, I hope my cheap one does the job just as well

[txjeeptx]

If you can't find an O2 sensor bung at an exhaust shop, one can be made from a Dorman "Spark plug non-fouler", one of those weird gismos that really doesn't work, but you can find one that fits the threads of the O2 sensor you're trying to mount and cut off some of it to make the bung you need. Don't forget to wire-wheel off the zinc plating before welding it into the pipe(cough-cough).

[eaglefreek]

Wow, yikes.

I can't even come close to being able to afford that, I hope my cheap one does the job just as well

Unfortunately, all you'll get is a fancy light show from the jumping LEDs. On a side note, I knew an "old timer" who would tune a carb by smelling a rag he would hold to the tailpipe. I had an old van that wouldn't pass emissions, he fiddled with a few things, held a rag on the tailpipe and had me rev it. He stuck the rag in his face, whiffed it and told me, "ok, you're good to go." It passed with flying colors.  Here's a great article on WB O2 sensors http://www.motoiq.com/magazine_articles/id/12/how-do-wideband-air-fuel-sensors-work.aspx