Wideband O2 choices

[TurboDave]

Just FYI, the Innovate uses a WB sensor that is OEM on new VWs and it easily replaced when it comes time to get a new one.

Most of them use the same sensor. Bosch LSU4.2
Innovative, PLX, etc.

 

[Blazer406]

I'm partial to the Innovate.... I have the LC-1 with XD-16..... love it. Mike Licht is running the same setup.....

Also... Innovate has a decent message board for support on installation/troubleshooting/updates... etc. IMHO... they seem to be at the top of the food chain for setups based on the Bosch (VW) sensor.

 

[JCotton]

Here's an option for those that are not familiar with what FAST has to offer, you may check this link out... New - Alcohol Air/Fuel Meter - COTTONSPERFORMANCE.COM

These units seem to be quite different from the Inn. and others mentioned here, no doubt price difference but then these units are totally self contained.

 

[2QUIK6]

Here's an option for those that are not familiar with what FAST has to offer, you may check this link out... New - Alcohol Air/Fuel Meter - COTTONSPERFORMANCE.COM

These units seem to be quite different from the Inn. and others mentioned here, no doubt price difference but then these units are totally self contained.

I have one of these FAST dual units for my V8 applications, work very nicely and are easily portable to other cars since they are self contained and can record and playback right there with the little compact readout.
This one does not use the common VW sensor that the Innovate and others as mentioned uses though..I believe its a proprietary one that can only be purchased from FAST at just over $100 It would be great if someone said otherwise.

 

[87GNSteve]

Most of them use the same sensor. Bosch LSU4.2
Innovative, PLX, etc.

Bosch P/N 17014
$50.99 at Partsamerica.com

 

[Clark6]

Here's an option for those that are not familiar with what FAST has to offer, you may check this link out... New - Alcohol Air/Fuel Meter - COTTONSPERFORMANCE.COM

These units seem to be quite different from the Inn. and others mentioned here, no doubt price difference but then these units are totally self contained.

I have the FAST SINGLE SENSOR, I asked Razor about the Meth unit he replyed back & said i wouldnt be using enough Meth , which is injection, compared to a FULL tank of it in my gas tank, im assuming he meant. & to just get the regular gasoline AIR METER SENSOR. So i also liked the play back feature. but the thing is I HAVENT HOOKED IT UP YET!! to play with it. Its in the ALKY section i dont know how to copy other threads from different sites or forums yet

 

[JCotton]

I have one of these FAST dual units for my V8 applications, work very nicely and are easily portable to other cars since they are self contained and can record and playback right there with the little compact readout.
This one does not use the common VW sensor that the Innovate and others as mentioned uses though..I believe its a proprietary one that can only be purchased from FAST at just over $100 It would be great if someone said otherwise.

Thanks Rob, good to hear some feedback. How long have you had your kit and have you had to replace one of the O2's..

 

[unix_punk]

TurboDave: I have the PLX hooked up like that in my car as well, the little cap is kind of a pain because it needs to go right there on the A12 (ECM negative) wire on the ECM harness (correction, it goes on the PLX side of the wires, not the ECM side, don't think it matters though). I soldered it between the O2 wire and the neg and just wrapped a bunch of elec tape around it. Still going strong after 2 years and many chip changes later. I don't know if you got the SM-AFR or the M series, but I like the SM because the wires can actually unplug from the controller unlike the M series.

Yea, Sweet6, that was easy to hook up because you watched. haha

 

[TurboDave]

TurboDave: I have the PLX hooked up like that in my car as well, the little cap is kind of a pain because it needs to go right there on the A12 (ECM negative) wire on the ECM harness (correction, it goes on the PLX side of the wires, not the ECM side, don't think it matters though). I soldered it between the O2 wire and the neg and just wrapped a bunch of elec tape around it. Still going strong after 2 years and many chip changes later. I don't know if you got the SM-AFR or the M series, but I like the SM because the wires can actually unplug from the controller unlike the M series.

Yea, Sweet6, that was easy to hook up because you watched. haha

I have the SM-AFR. I'm going to use some of the connectors that came with my Translator Pro, and crimp the caps to them with the harness wires. Then plug those into the Plug-n-play harness (have to cut just one wire for WBO2 hook up) attach there, and Ttap the "sensor ground" wire right next door with the other cap leg into it. All of this stuff is only about 6" away from the ECM.

The thing I can't figure out is why noise caps like that couldn't somehow be engineered into the conroller box.

BTW, PLX customer service stinks to put it bluntly. I guess because we're not part of the "rice boy" aka "tuner" crowd.

 

[2QUIK6]

Thanks Rob, good to hear some feedback. How long have you had your kit and have you had to replace one of the O2's..

I've had it not quit a year. I've used it to tune 10-15 LT1 and LT4 cars cars, always making sure there is no leaded fuel in them so I haven't had to replace an O2 yet.
The thing that got me about this FAST unit is it does not need "calibrating" like the Innovate which I thought was odd since it did not need a reference to clean air...but seems to work great and is consistant. I have the one for gasoline, as mentioned eariler, thats the one you want if you are just spraying in meth. I don't think it would work with E85 though.

 

[ijames]

The Innovate only need calibrating if you want the absolute best accuracy. If you don't calibrate it, it is only as good as the other brands .

 

[RatFink]

I was thinking of getting an Innovate, so how do you recalibrate it?
How often does it need to be reclibrated?

 

[Sweet6]

TurboDave: I have the PLX hooked up like that in my car as well, the little cap is kind of a pain because it needs to go right there on the A12 (ECM negative) wire on the ECM harness (correction, it goes on the PLX side of the wires, not the ECM side, don't think it matters though).

Yea, Sweet6, that was easy to hook up because you watched. haha

I was supervising!!! :biggrin:

 

[ijames]

You calibrate by making sure the sensor is in clean fresh air. Either pull it out of the exhaust, let the car sit a couple of days or more without running, or even find a big hill and get up to speed and then take your foot off the gas so the chip cuts off the fuel while you slow down (hard to cal that way but you can check the cal by making sure it reads 20% O2 for air). Then just press the "calibrate" button . If you never run leaded fuel maybe calibrate once or twice a year. With lead, do it more often and see for yourself how fast your sensor drifts. I've heard of once a month to once in six months.

 

[84BuickGNYorkPA]

Link for replacement Bosh Oxygen Sensor Advanced Auto Parts/Parts America
While we find your parts, please enter your ZIP Code at PartsAmerica.com

Chuck

 

[87GN_70GS]

One issue with the PLX (and I guess all units that use the Bosch sensor) is that they don't want you to install the sensor too near the exhaust or if it will be pressurized. I mounted mine in the down pipe.

 

[Blazer406]

One issue with the PLX (and I guess all units that use the Bosch sensor) is that they don't want you to install the sensor too near the exhaust or if it will be pressurized. I mounted mine in the down pipe.

Be more specific.... I think the only issue is heat..... the wideband 02's can't stand the heat.... so people mount them much further down the exhaust stream... than you would typically mount a narrow band sensor. My Innovate LC1 is mounted about 12-18" downstream of the turbo/DP flange....