Wideband Recommendations?

**pajeff02** · 03-08-2010, 04:43 PM

My Kooks LT's came with a spare bung to facilitate installation of a wideband. The plan is to eventually install a dual gauge pod on the A-pillar and run both A/F and fuel pressure gauges. I have absolutely no idea what gauge to consider. I have looked at Jeg's and Summit and there are a number of A/F gauges with 0-5v outputs. It is possible that I will dive into HP Tuners at some point as well, so I thought this would be good to have available. Any recommendations?

**35th-ANV-SS** · 03-08-2010, 04:49 PM

I'm interested in this also. I thought the Autometer PRO series gages were pretty popular.

**marksls1ta** · 03-08-2010, 05:48 PM

we sell the these and have had very good luck with them.

http://kentucky-speed.com/innovate-i...224e89f50f3878

it come in blue or red.

also if you get the HP tuners we sell them at a great price with the software.

Thanks,
Mark

**pajeff02** · 03-08-2010, 05:58 PM

Mark -- can you explain what the "controller" does? Is that the interface for sending the signal out to something else?

**marksls1ta** · 03-08-2010, 06:09 PM

yeah that is what take the voltage and makes it a # to read...

Mark

**0rion** · 03-08-2010, 07:28 PM

you'll find that widebands are like O2 sensors and torque convertors.......people will swear by one and say the others are junk. I can only tell you my experiences with the ones I have. I have the portable version from Innovate ( LM-1) and the hard wired version from Innovate ( LC-1). Bought the LC1 from mark last year I believe it was. I've had good luck with both and both have worked fine for me. I did a semi-write up when I installed mine last year. I didn't focus on the wiring so much because the instructions are pretty good but just showed where and how I stuck everything.
http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread...&highlight=LC1

**Larry** · 03-09-2010, 07:15 AM

From the info given I don't think you even need a tuner to record AFR with the Innovate LM-2. You would need a tuner to make changes. Maybe eliminating the necessity of the HP Pro? You can find them for $399 or maybe even less.

http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/products/lm2.php

***Ed Blown Vert*** · 03-09-2010, 07:18 AM

I also run the LC-1 and it works.

**Firebirdjones** · 03-09-2010, 07:23 AM

I also use the portable LM-1 from Innovative and have been very happy with it. I switch to various cars and have used it for years without a hickup.

**Hi-Po** · 03-09-2010, 08:05 AM

LC1 here. It worked great all season and tuned my car with it with zero complaints. Smoked the sensor from leaving the wiring unhooked and driving for about 30 minutes. Totally my fault. The LC1 does have a bad track record when compared to others for sensor longevity. Looking back, I probably would have gone a different route.

**pajeff02** · 03-09-2010, 08:06 AM

Does the LC-1 calibrate itself to atmospheric like the professional widebands?

**Hi-Po** · 03-09-2010, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

Does the LC-1 calibrate itself to atmospheric like the professional widebands?

You must do a free air calibration at the beginning and is recommended and certain intervals. Requires removing the sensor from the pipe/open air. Then pushing a button, watching a red LED.

**pajeff02** · 03-09-2010, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by Hi-Po

You must do a free air calibration at the beginning and is recommended and certain intervals. Requires removing the sensor from the pipe/open air. Then pushing a button, watching a red LED.

That is what I am looking for then. Thanks for all the replies!

**Frost** · 03-09-2010, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Larry

From the info given I don't think you even need a tuner to record AFR with the Innovate LM-2. You would need a tuner to make changes. Maybe eliminating the necessity of the HP Pro? You can find them for $399 or maybe even less.

http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/products/lm2.php

No you WANT the Pro version of HPT...

The LM-2 has too many things that are just un-needed for tuning late model cars. All of the extra's it logs can be logged directly from the PCM. Other than that, it should be a good unit.

I am surprised to see no one has recommended the NGK AFX. The AFX has the best controller of any of the consumer level units and supports higher end sensors than the LSU as well.

**Hi-Po** · 03-09-2010, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by Frost

No you WANT the Pro version of HPT...

The LM-2 has too many things that are just un-needed for tuning late model cars. All of the extra's it logs can be logged directly from the PCM. Other than that, it should be a good unit.

I am surprised to see no one has recommended the NGK AFX. The AFX has the best controller of any of the consumer level units and supports higher end sensors than the LSU as well.

I do wish I had researched more before buying mine. Probably wouldn't have bought the LC1, and opted for the AFX. Didn't know any better back then. I think its silly that the LC1 tell you in the directions they recommend fabricating a copper heat sink to keep heat away.

Frost, since I am now forced into buying a new sensor for my LC1, what is a better sensor to buy?

**0rion** · 03-09-2010, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by Frost

No you WANT the Pro version of HPT...

The LM-2 has too many things that are just un-needed for tuning late model cars. All of the extra's it logs can be logged directly from the PCM. Other than that, it should be a good unit.

I am surprised to see no one has recommended the NGK AFX. The AFX has the best controller of any of the consumer level units and supports higher end sensors than the LSU as well.

I don't recommend it because I don't have any experience with it. At some point if I need a different wideband I may give it a try. Doesn't it have a funky square gauge or something with it? Does it have an analog 0-5v output on it to run a regular gauge?
It's also hard for me to switch from something that works for me. I've had zero issues out of the LC-1 or LM-1 so it's tough for me to go away from them.

**pajeff02** · 03-09-2010, 05:50 PM

I am looking for something that I can easily mount -- the AFX is a slick looking unit, but I am not sure where I would put it. Will definitely keep it in mind though based upon Steve's recommendation.

Ron -- explain the heat sink. Do they recommend wrapping the O2 sender in copper to dissipate heat?

**Firebirdjones** · 03-10-2010, 04:58 AM

Originally Posted by 0rion

It's also hard for me to switch from something that works for me. I've had zero issues out of the LC-1 or LM-1 so it's tough for me to go away from them.

I agree, I have used the LM-1 for many years and it's been flawless. Still on the same sensor even. I used it mainly to dial in carbs for a few years on my own stuff as well as other peoples cars, and within the last couple of years started using it on our 4th gens.
I like the versatility of it.

**Larry** · 03-11-2010, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Frost

No you WANT the Pro version of HPT...

The LM-2 has too many things that are just un-needed for tuning late model cars. All of the extra's it logs can be logged directly from the PCM. Other than that, it should be a good unit.

I am surprised to see no one has recommended the NGK AFX. The AFX has the best controller of any of the consumer level units and supports higher end sensors than the LSU as well.

For those that already have the regular version of HP Tuner and not the Pro the LM-2 might be a good alternative. Can't you just disregard the extra PIDs it logs and use what you need?

From what is being said in the following link the NGK AFX might be the most accurate:

http://www.hptuners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21019

**Firebirdjones** · 03-11-2010, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by Larry

For those that already have the regular version of HP Tuner and not the Pro the LM-2 might be a good alternative. Can't you just disregard the extra PIDs it logs and use what you need?

From what is being said in the following link the NGK AFX might be the most accurate:

http://www.hptuners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21019

You can use the LM-1 without the pro version of HPtuner, just takes a little wiring know how and a .5 volt reference source if you are really trying to save a few bucks.

I currently use the regular version of HPtuner and just use my LM-1 wideband as a seperate device to tune the WOT AFR.

The pro version of HPtuner would make it a simple plug and play deal.