air/fuel gauge question

[gsf1200m]

I think this might be kinda a weird question.
Is an a/f gauge the kind of gauge you would put on the pillar so it is very visible like witht the oil pressure and water temp gauges, or is it more the kind that is hidden like under the dash or soemthing?
Or is it just personal preference?

[CZ-R]

The a/f ratio gauge is something you want to see. It's not just pretty, it's actually functional. I have mine on my pillar & I use it every day to keep from getting a Code 1 (that just my car though & I'm tired of buying O2 sensors ).

IMO the a/f gauge is going to be more beneficial than just about any other (aftermarket) gauge you could install...

[gsf1200m]

Thanks, thats what i was looking for.
I would rather go with function than looks.

[kris]

Originally Posted by gsf1200m

Thanks, thats what i was looking for.
I would rather go with function than looks.

Then don't go with a Autometer a/f. gauge.

[gsf1200m]

Ok, but how come? Just not as good quality as other ones?

[kris]

Originally Posted by gsf1200m

Ok, but how come? Just not as good quality as other ones?

If you plan on using it for any sorts of tuning, they are not really that accurate.

[gsf1200m]

Do you mean the autometer one is not accurate for tuning, or that all air fuel gauges are not accurate?
Do you reccomend a certain one to use?

[kris]

It's not just the autometer gauge itself, it's the stock O2 sensor. The stock O2 sensor is not accurate because it does not compensate for exhaust temperature. But, the autometer A/F gauge only has 20 LED's, which I guess looks really cool going back and forth. You would be better getting a A/F gauge with a digital readout, or actually dial, such as the Greddy kit. I know you can purchase the greddy dial, with a wide band O2. Apex'i and Halmeter are some other good brands. But still, they wont do what you need with a stock O2.

[91civicDXdude]

The stock O2 sensor is not accurate because it does not compensate for exhaust temperature.

I thought that was how an o2 sensor worked.. turns exhaust heat into an electronic pulse which can be measured to determine air/fuel ratio?

[1PhatCX]

where exactly does the A/F gauge get connected to?? just slice it into the O2 wire and ground it?? i have no idea, i'm interested in gettin one after the cars fixed, dont know where to mount it tho,

[kris]

Originally Posted by 91civicDXdude

I thought that was how an o2 sensor worked.. turns exhaust heat into an electronic pulse which can be measured to determine air/fuel ratio?

Not really.

There is a particular ratio of air and gasoline that is "perfect," and that ratio is 14.7:1 (different fuels have different perfect ratios -- the ratio depends on the amount of hydrogen and carbon found in a given amount of fuel). If there is less air than this perfect ratio, then there will be fuel left over after combustion (running rich). If there is more air than this perfect ratio, then there is excess oxygen (running lean).

Most O2 sensors involve a chemical reaction that generates a voltage. The ECU then reads the voltage to determine if the mixture is rich or lean, and adjusts the amount of fuel entering the engine accordingly.

So with the Autometer A/F gauge, and its 20 LED lights. What is that really telling you on a narrow band, stock O2? Nothing, except for red, yellow, green.

[kris]

Originally Posted by 1PhatCX

where exactly does the A/F gauge get connected to?? just slice it into the O2 wire and ground it?? i have no idea, i'm interested in gettin one after the cars fixed, dont know where to mount it tho,

Nope, you just tap the one wire into the O2 wire, either running off the O2, or near the ECU.