Wide Band O2 Tuning
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: General Discussion
Forum Name: Tools & Shop Equipment
Forum Description: Tool and shop discussion
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=18604
Printed Date: 26-March-2026 at 5:41PM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Wide Band O2 Tuning
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Subject: Wide Band O2 Tuning
Date Posted: 25-January-2020 at 7:20AM
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I'd like to get a wide band tuner to help dial my carburetor really well. Has anyone use one of these? If so what would you recommend? I was looking at Innovate LM-2 Digital Air/Fuel Ratio Meter Basic Kit from Summit. https://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/inn-3837/reviews/" rel="nofollow - https://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/inn-3837/reviews/ Any opinions? ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Replies:
Posted By: handsofstone
Date Posted: 25-January-2020 at 7:53AM
| The reviews don't look very promising. I suppose for daily driving it would be fine. Definitely following this thread. |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 25-January-2020 at 8:24AM
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i seem to remember somewhere on here carl or andy mentioning one??? a while back...
------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
Posted By: aquartlow
Date Posted: 25-January-2020 at 1:41PM
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I currently use a basic wideband from AEM, been a great tool in helping me tune my 770 and 870 Holleys, have had it about 6 years and no issues. ------------- www.supermotors.net/22468 Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone. |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 26-January-2020 at 2:10AM
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John, I found a few old threads here about them, mentioning AEM and the LM-2. Scott used the LM-2, but it does seem to have a spotty record based on reviews. It also does more than I need it to do, since I am not interested in OBD2 stuff. http://forum.grantorinosport.org/air-fuel-ratio-and-tuning_topic3715_post27380.html?KW=wide+band#27380" rel="nofollow - http://forum.grantorinosport.org/air-fuel-ratio-and-tuning_topic3715_post27380.html?KW=wide+band#27380 http://forum.grantorinosport.org/ordered-a-wide-band-a-f-meter-got_topic5467_post48166.html?KW=wide+band#48166" rel="nofollow - http://forum.grantorinosport.org/ordered-a-wide-band-a-f-meter-got_topic5467_post48166.html?KW=wide+band#48166 I just want something to dial in the carb really well. At least with a A/F ratio I will know exactly if it is lean or rich under the various conditions.
Todd, when you have some time, can you give me more details on your setup? Do you have a gauge permanently mounted or just install it as you need it? AEM sounds like it may be a more economical choice than the LM-2. ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
aquartlow wrote:Posted By: aquartlow
Date Posted: 26-January-2020 at 3:02AM
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Hey Vince, I use this one, AEM 30-4110  Just a basic wideband with no frills, does work well for my needs though. I installed the gauge into my GT cluster where the clock once resided, non-working clock of course. I welded an 02 bung in each of my exhaust's header extensions, didn't want to drill into my 6126's, plugged the one on passenger side(wanted both in case I ever went EFI so I could use the wideband with the EFI). I can tell you that the wideband will show you where to focus your carb tuning, whether it be idle, off-idle or WOT. My 472 C6 combo gave me 15.2 mpg on my trip to Dawsonville a few years back, not bad for having no OD and a 280 Magnum Comp Cam(not exactly an mpg improver). You will find once you have the wideband installed and it's feedback, is when to quit "tuning" on the carburetor and just enjoy the ride and don't even think about installing 2 WB's(one for each bank of your V8) that will lead to sensory overload  . The biggest gains I found in both my Holleys were in tuning the idle feed restrictors in the metering block, reducing main jet size and increasing power valve vacuum opening point and enlarging it's restrictor size under the valve to compensate for the leaner cruise mixture. Hope this is somewhat helpful.------------- www.supermotors.net/22468 Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone. |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 26-January-2020 at 12:19PM
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A big thank you Todd! As usual your posts are very helpful. I looked this kit up on Summit and it's reviews are far better than the LM-2. The more I read, the more the AEM stuff seems to be spoken highly of, so this might be a better route. I am thinking I might be able to fab something up to have a the gauge temporarily mounted for tuning, then I can remove it. I'd buy a plug for the O2 sensor hole for when it's not in use.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/avm-30-4110/overview/" rel="nofollow - https://www.summitracing.com/parts/avm-30-4110/overview/ ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: handsofstone
Date Posted: 26-January-2020 at 12:45PM
| Looking forward to your install thread and review. |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 26-January-2020 at 12:50PM
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AEM sounds familiar i think thats what carl mentioned???
------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
Posted By: Dubz
Date Posted: 18-May-2020 at 5:05AM
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I'll be looking forward to updates as well. I know next to nothing about carb tuning, so I'd really like some feedback I've got it somewhat close. I know swapping to EFI requires adding an O2 sensor, does anyone know if these AEM ones would serve a dual purpose? ------------- 1974 Gran Torino in flat black 351W/C6 |
Posted By: handsofstone
Date Posted: 19-May-2020 at 11:19AM
| Is this for basically one time use to get dialed in? What does it monitor on a constant basis. I don't want to replace my exhaust with an H pipe at the moment but plan on some mufflers to replace the Xellerators that are on it now. I need the deep sound/rumble that my Galaxie had with the thrush mufflers it had. Reading the plugs should tell me if I am jetted to lean or rich. |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 19-May-2020 at 12:39PM
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I haven't bought anything yet, as I am still waiting to get my exhaust done. For the carb tuning, I have done the old school methods, like plug reading and a vacuum gauge. But I'd like to be more precise. The A/F meter will show when my secondaries open if I am going lean or rich, and at other points in my acceleration curve. Right now I have the carb dialed in okay, but I know I can get it better. If you run a fuelie system, it would have it's own Oxygen sensor. The bung doesn't go in an H-pipe either, as it would get poor readings there. It just goes near the header collectors, the closer to the engine the better. You only need to do one side, but your could have one on each side. Right now I am leaning towards the AEM unit that Todd used, based on his experience and other positive reviews. I am just not sure I want the gauge permanently mounted in my car, since I am keeping mine original looking. I will update when I do purchase something. ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: aquartlow
Date Posted: 19-May-2020 at 1:38PM
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I can tell you once you have a wide-band installed, it should and/or will tell you where to focus your efforts in your carb tuning. It will also drive you nuts if you let it, sometimes you just have to let it be "good enough". Here is a great place to get help in tuning , lots of knowledgeable folks there https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/racingfuelsystems/index.php?sid=5e69f507a49c8bccc1391b35f6bcd192" rel="nofollow - https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/racingfuelsystems/index.php?sid=5e69f507a49c8bccc1391b35f6bcd192 Hope this helps. ------------- www.supermotors.net/22468 Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone. |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 12-July-2020 at 10:05AM
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Just to update this thread, I ended up ordering the AEM 30-4110 that Todd recommended. I will have the bung welded on when I get my new exhaust installed soon. I am looking forward to dialing the carb in.
------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: handsofstone
Date Posted: 12-July-2020 at 10:21AM
| You can drill your exhaust and strap it on the old one. Saw it on motor. trend |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 12-July-2020 at 10:35AM
hey no youtube " master certified" stuff here just drill a hole and weld around the bung easy and no leaks that way ------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
Posted By: aquartlow
Date Posted: 12-July-2020 at 12:24PM
I recommend having one installed on each side, if ever going to EFI it is already there or if you want to verify which bank is leaner/richer so you can tune on the safe side of ragged edge. Make sure they install bung at least 7-10 degrees above level within exhaust tubing so moisture doesn't accumulate on the o2 sensor's tip. Get ready to spend some time tuning . but your efforts will be well rewarded.------------- www.supermotors.net/22468 Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone. |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 13-July-2020 at 1:27PM
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My current exhaust consists of a flexible pipe connecting the headers to the old 2" exhaust by the H pipe. So I am not going to bother with a bung in it. I knew about the clamp on style, but I prefer weld in. Now is the time to do it with the new exhaust going on soon. And thanks again Todd. I did remember you saying about the dual banks, however, I won't ever be running EFI on this car. I could always add the second one though to do like you said and see if one bank is leaner than the other. ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: handsofstone
Date Posted: 13-July-2020 at 3:36PM
| Are you putting them on the collectors? |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 14-July-2020 at 3:34AM
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No, immediately after the headers. They are ceramic coated, I am not drilling into them. ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: handsofstone
Date Posted: 14-July-2020 at 4:50AM
| Makes sense. Are the tubes heat wrapped too? |
Posted By: aquartlow
Date Posted: 14-July-2020 at 4:54AM
 Same here, didn't want to drill a hole in an expensive header, especially if they are coated, no welding after ceramic coating.------------- www.supermotors.net/22468 Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone. |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 14-July-2020 at 2:37PM
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No wrap on the headers, just the ceramic coating. It keeps it them pretty cool underhood, plus the wraps aren't good for longevity. Super comps are big $$$ ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 19-September-2021 at 9:55AM
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I should update this post. I played around with my AEM gauge this summer, but the O2 sensor crapped out within 10 minutes of use! I was not very happy with the quality of the O2 sensor. AEM apparently used to use Bosch sensor but doesn't anymore. I believe mine came with a non-Bosch O2 sensor. Unfortunately AEM wouldn't replace it under warranty it either. I contacted them one month outside the 1 year warranty (my fault, I know) but they refused to help. I will have to buy another O2 sensors and try again... ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: aquartlow
Date Posted: 19-September-2021 at 1:53PM
Sad to hear about their quality and/or their unwillingness to help you out. My AEM came with a Bosch O2 sensor and has been working good since at least '14. I'm usually the one who gets the dud or parts that don't work correctly the first time around. ------------- www.supermotors.net/22468 Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone. |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 11-June-2022 at 11:14AM
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To update this thread, I got an new Bosch O2 sensor and the gauge is working great. Too bad AEM cheaped out with a garbage O2 sensor. Read the reviews and it is a very common problem. ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |