Fuel/Air Ratio Meters and Tuning...

[desert_freak]

I've searched the archives and can't find any posts specifically about these thingamajigs. I have read tons of info on the web, have several different plans to build my own and know that Edelbrock and others sell a version or two of it. BUT my question is does anyone here own one or have they used one and what is your opinion of it? I have read that the most accurate method is done by using a much more expensive sensor (forget the name off hand, costs hundreds of dollars) than the typical O2 sensor. My reading seems to leave me wondering if they are worth trusting or not???

I tune using a vacuum guage and I just smogged my Cherokee (which passed with flying colors) and it was VERY lean. Starting ot think about a Saturday electronics project again.

Info, opinions please

P.J.

[rawdave]

actually the best results as i have read about them is with a little spark plug thingamajig that is clear

color tune only with british spelling colour?? tune.

someone help me out here.

[Serious Johnson]

P.J.:

Opinion only:

As I understand it, there are "high resolution" O2 sensors which return useable readings at most engine speeds & loads. Googling on sites frequented by kids with turbo Jap cars might turn up something useful.

Typical $30-$90 OEM types just cause an A/F meter to flick back and forth at low speeds, making them less reliable as a tuning tool than a vac gauge. The 4-wire heated kind helps a computer controlled motor run more cleanly during the warmup cycle, but is functionally no different thereafter.

I'd continue to tune idle by vacuum, and use O2 data to determine main jet size.

:-

[desert_freak]

Serious Johnson, that is kind of what I thought, thus the reason I haven't built or purchased one yet. But figured I might as well get some opinions. Looks like I'll stick with the vac guage and plug color for now.

P.J.

[timmirvin]

Originally posted by desert_freak:
I've searched the archives and can't find any posts specifically about these thingamajigs. I have read tons of info on the web, have several different plans to build my own and know that Edelbrock and others sell a version or two of it.I have been interested in the possibility of one of these things for a while!!!!!

What did you use to search......"Air Fuel Meter"???

Are the plans you found buildable for the laymen like me????

What I am interested in mainly is balancing my mixture. I assume that purchasing/building one that actually tells me a ratio would be beyond my means. Have you found anything that might help me with what I am interested in???????

Thanx
tim

[timmirvin]

By balancing my mixture I meant between both sides of the engine.........

[chrism]

The "high resolution" O2 sensors are called wideband O2 sensors.
Here you go:

http://www.diy-wb.com/

[SpruceMoose]

gunsen colour-tune! IIRC. dredged that one up. maybe thats what you are thinking of.

sm.