What are some Quality VAC/BOOST gauge, wideband o2 sensor and gauge options?

[s13_240_rb20]

I am looking to make a few upgrades on the interior of my car (for troubleshooting my problems). I am looking into getting a VAC/Boost Gauge, temp gauge, and an o2 sensor....

What kind of quality should I demand for a VAC/Boost gauge? My Glow**** (cheapie) Fuel Pressure gauge seems to work perfectly, so I am wondering if I should stick with the same brand for matching gauges.

I have a stock O2 sensor with a GlowShift Gauge. I know that I need a wideband O2 sensor to have any "reliability"...is that right? I am curious as to what the benefits of a wideband sensor are....

But anyways...trying to be cheap here...can I replace just the o2 sensor and still use my Glowshift A/F ratio gauge?? I know the wiring will still be the same, but will the readings be more accurate, out of scale, what??

My engine temp sensor decision is based on what A/F ratio gauge and o2 setup I go with....

What are some good replacements that won't cost too much? The ones I have are from this website, http://www.glowshiftdirect.com...ry=24 , so please tell me what you think. I am atleast going to match brands on a pillar on each side (if I have to go with a better brand for a o2 sensor setup)... Maybe FP and TEMP (Glowshift) on one side, and VAC/Boost and A/F Ratio of a matching brand on the Pass side pillar...



--TJ

[Yellow4g63]

Check out STRi meters. Good and not very expensive like the Defi units. Phase 2 has them cheap!!!! http://phase2motorsports.store....html

[l0nestar]

I manned up and went Defi. (Link Meter BF) They are awesome.

I tried ProSport ($43 for electric boost / vacuum ) it was alright, but is clearly an imitation. Unfortunately Defi does not make a wideband. ProSport has a wideband 'in development'.

The difference between a standard o2 (narrowband) and wideband. Narrowband reads 0-1v and wideband reads 0-5v. (Hence the name WIDE band since it reads a WIDER range and gives much greater detail about the signal / oxygen content of your exhaust stream)

NO, you cannot replace your o2 sensor with a wideband o2 and us a narrowband gage. (well, technically you _could_ but your readings would be absolute garbage and nowhere near accurate. So do NOT try it.. )

read up:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W...ve%29

[Shocker]

I run autometers ultra light's or w/e the cheap gauge is. Boost is manual, oil pressure is electric, water temp electric, also an AEM wideband.

Now when you say a/f gauge you better mean wideband not Christmas tree light, green to red. Rich or stoich or lean. Thats rice **** no need for that with an RB.

[s14 2510's]

Look into zeitronix zt2 unit with the lcd. The lcd desplays realtime boost, lambata, EGT, and Air fuel. Nice small lcd screen. You can datalog with it on a laptop and watch trottle position too. Makes tuning a breeze. You can set the lcd screen to beep when it hits your max and min settings. Watching those 4 things should help stop engine failure. You could almost tune your car on any open road with one of these. Nice setup you get what you payed for.Opps on second look I know nothing about glowy gauge's your glowy air fuel gauge has no way of calibrating to the O2 sensor. So its basicly a flashing light. Big flash glowy guages is just asking to get your stuff jacked in my mind. About the olney gauge id buy would be a oil and coolant temp and a tac.
Modified by s14 2510's at 8:16 AM 2/26/2008

[gawdzilla]

i like the zeitronix unit. it's improved a bit since i originally bought mine.

mine broke once (blew a fuse when they were non-resettable) do to wiring melting (my own fault). sent it in and they turned it around fast just charging shipping fees. good customer service, great product

[240z4u]

I have the zt2 wideband that I really like. I have been eyballing that LCD display lately.

Evan

Road race engineering sells all the stuff if you wanna check it out. The stage eleventeen kit is where its at.

[s13_240_rb20]

I will be alot more comfortable, knowing I got the right thing...lol, if I get a matching o2 sensor/gauge combo that are sold together. I am guessing I will keep my glowshift Fuel pressure and probably get an engine temp sensor to match it. Then get a Vac/Boost gauge from the same people I get my o2 sensor/gauge from, so I will have a match set on that side as well.

--TJ

[s13_240_rb20]

Ok...well, I just ordered a Glowshift Vacuum/Boost gauge (-30 to +30) from glowshift.com for 46.99 shipped. I will mount it, in place of my cheapie a/f ratio gauge, to keep a matched pair of glowshift gauges, fuel prssure & vac/boost, on my driver's side dual pillar.

Now I need a good o2 sensor & matching gauge, and I will order another gauge to match on the pass side. Any suggestions?? Unless I think of something else, I may just replace my cheapie temp gauge to match..

--TJ

[Joe]

i went from defi link meter BF's to autometers with the new motor because i couldnt afford 1500$ worth of gauges to do the setup i needed in the car.

without a doubt if you can spare the money defi's are AMAZING and i LOVE them, but they are super expensive

autometer is cheap, but they work fine.

i would recommend sticking to a name brand tho, never heard of half this **** you guys are recommending...

[eh?]

Do you have a standalone or some piggyback device? I wouldn't buy a wideband o2 sensor unless you're running with a few mods. I'd buy a device like a plms consult and a cheap laptop.

[s13_240_rb20]

Do you have a standalone or some piggyback device? I wouldn't buy a wideband o2 sensor unless you're running with a few mods. I'd buy a device like a plms consult and a cheap laptop.

I've got consult and a laptop (as of about a week ago..lol)..just got those hooked up, but still not any closer to fixing my dropping fuel pressure, so I'm sinking in more money to monitor everything better...

sounds like autometer is the way to go...nice and cheap but very reliable...but do they make a wideband o2 gauge or sensor, or better, a combo?? (I know I'm asking before searching, but I am going to search now and then go to sleep on it...gotta work tonight)

--TJ

[Shocker]

I dont think they make a combo, but they might make a wideband... I'd just stick with AEM for that or Innovate. I had both hooked up to my car while on the dyno, they were reading INDENTICAL a/f's.

[s13_240_rb20]

wow....about 275 for an autometer wideband gauge with a (unknown brand?????) o2 sensor...Im inquiring about what brand it is, but I just don't have that kind of money laying around... anyone want to buy a z32 MAFS or a RB20DET ECU?? lol

--TJ

[Shocker]

Come on just spend the extra $25 for the AEM and you will KNOW its quality and accurate as long as you mount it properly.

[Nick51]

for most widebands do you need a laptop and is it better to log the rpm range with numebers??heres my thread i am trying to get some answers about widebandshttp://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=316897

[s13_240_rb20]

Well, it looks like I might just have to wait on the o2 sensor/gauge. I doubt if I could raise $150, much less between 275 and 300.

I've got my vac/boost gauge on the way...hopefully I can get some troubleshooting ideas from that..

--TJ

[lucky7]

i have Defi and AEM.

[Nick51]

^^^lucky7

Are you able to log your afr's in any way or do you just tune as you go on the road??