AEM failsafe Wideband - anyone any experience?

[Eldavo]

My aftermarket boot gauge is playing up a bit so a new one is in order; I've also been looking at AFR Wideband setups too.

The AEM Wideband Failsafe gauge looks great as it combines a vacuum gauge and AFR Wideband in one along with the ability to sound an alarm, etc should a pre-defined setting be exceeded.

Anyone got one, any tips/suggestions on alternatives or the best place to buy one?

I'd already considered the Innovate LC-1 but decided against it.

 

[944Scott]

I have an AEM one but its not a failsafe variant, it does however have two led's one lets you know its not warmed up and the other flashes when there's a fault.

 

[Eldavo]

Is it a Wideband or narrowband sensor, and is it any good?

What Wideband are the rest of the modified Turbo guys using?

 

[scam75]

I have an AEM Uego. This one

http://www.aemelectronics.com/wideband-air-fuel-systems-15/digital-wideband-air-fuel-gauge-25/

I like it, comes with different faces and bezels so you can match it to any other gauges you have. Has a colour coded sweeping "needle" and nice big digital display that auto dims at night. I also have the lambda sensor in the factory bung on the downpipe which seems to upset some people. Been there 2 years and no issues so far.

Stuart

 

[944 man]

Who does it upset and why? How close is it to the turbocharger itself?

 

[Frenchy]

AEM Uego here, my lambda is further down the pipe using the supplied boss, placed it there so it was further away from the turbo, but as Scam says still work fine with the factory position, Mike Moores Lambda probe packed up after a couple years in the factory position, just a guess really as to the problem being heat related ??

 

[Eldavo]

Frenchy - I always thought you had the Innovate gauge?

Looks like I'll buy the AEM one then, the new one is very similar to Stuart's but you can have the needle showing AFR and the digital display showing boost or vice versa along with configurable warnings, etc.

Thanks guys!

 

[Frenchy]

DOH !!!

Innovate AFR, AEM Boost, i have a sneaky suspicion they are manufactured in the same place !!

I like the idea of a configurable jobbie, as when "on boost" you really need to be watching the road and not the gauges when it "all happens" thinking about a big red light on the dash as per the 80's rally cars []

The normally aspirated brethren will never experience the above [] unless they trade up of course.

Ducks for cover !

 

[Eldavo]

You can plug it into a laptop and set all the warning points - there is an output loop you can the connect to other things. Ie when AFR/Boost goes out of range then boost is reduced, ignition retarded, etc.

I'm favouring a buzzer and an "oh shit" LED

 

[scam75]

ORIGINAL: 944 man

Who does it upset and why? How close is it to the turbocharger itself?

As Frenchy says heat related burn out issues. It's only about 6 inches from the turbocharger so the readings should be pretty accurate. Worst case I'll need a new sensor at some point but at £60 it's not the end of the world.

Stuart

 

[944 man]

Its always a trade-off in turbocharged cars. Close to the chamber means accurate but close to the turbocharger means greatly shortened lifespan.

I was wondering whether someone had told you that close to the turbo wasnt the right place, which would be incorrect.

 

[944Scott]

Mine is this one and im pleased with it. http://www.aemelectronics.com/wideband-air-fuel-systems-15/analog-wideband-air-fuel-gauge-31/?osCsid=gvpie1kkhu4tf3qhnhpia34j73

The instruction leaflet says the wideband sensor should be 18 inches away from the turbo, mines further than that, its on the bend in the pipe just behind the starter motor.