Which wideband to get?

slowbubblecar · 09-26-2005

I am looking at them and cant decide what to get. I am thinking of getting either the PLX M-250, innovate LC1 or the AEM. Are there really any big diferences between widebands? On ebay, the inovate one is ike 285 shipped, the m-250 and the aem are 350 shipped. All of them come with guages. I wouldn't think there would be much of a difference. What one do you think I should get? I don't want to buy the kit and make a wideband myself either.

CDeutsch · 09-26-2005

Check how much replacement sensors are for each unit. I have the M-300 and it can use VW sensors that are really cheap. The unit mounts on the steering column perfect.

The M-300 is $325 from PLX. When I bought mine I found a distributer whose prices were cheaper than PLX.

**scheides** · 09-26-2005

I have the M-300 from PLX as well and love it! Replacement sensors are like $40, can't beat that. The whole unit, including the wiring harness is very nice. All cables are wrapped nicely in a nice, soft, rubbery sleve to avoid any weather or tearing, and it came with decent instructions. Install was a piece of cake, even hooking it up for narrowband emulation to replace my stock sensor (on my 2g).

Also, I've taken out and then re-installed the sensor about 4 times, no signs of wear anywhere on the unit/system.

I have no experience with any of the other brands out there, so I cannot speak for them. Wideband rules, though, tuning is a piece of cake. I get 25 mpg on the freeway on the stock ecu w/ a stock 6-bolt in the car, and it makes good, drivable power at every throttle position. This, with a s-afc2 and 650's.

**Shane@DBPerformance** · 09-26-2005

The Innovate also uses the cheap VW sensors. The AEM uses a different plug, so replacement sensors will be quite a bit more.

Outlaw1 · 10-01-2005

If you're not set on having a guage display, you might check out http://www.zeitronix.com/order/order.htm . That unit is capable of displaying and logging boost, EGT and A/F. Kinda pricy but might be something to look at.

slowbubblecar · 10-05-2005

This wideband kit would work fine with dsmlink right? I am not sure why summit is cheaper than ebay or anyone else on it so that is why I am asking. I don't want the zeitronix one because having it do the functions of a boost and egt guage cost as much as it does to buy the guages by themselves. I also have all 3 of the other guages anyhow.

INN-3744 $149.95
Estimated Ship Date: 10/14/05

Brand: Innovate Technology Inc.
Product Line: Innovate LC-1 Standalone Wideband Controller
Quantity: Sold individually.

Data Acquisition, LC-1 Lambda Cable, Standalone Wideband Controller, Digital Input/Output, Kit

Make sure your engine is running smoothly.
The Innovate LC-1 Standalone Wideband Controller is a complete wideband controller built in to a sealed cable. It features the patented digital measurement principal found in the LM-1, and includes digital input, output, and 2 programmable analog outputs.

howslowcanyougo · 10-05-2005

I have the PLX-M300 as well, it has a bright display and works great with DSMLINK, and you can use it's O2 sensor to replace your stock front sensor and it will similate the narrow bad to your ECU while BOTH running it's diplay and logging over to your DSMLINK.

I got mine off a Ebay dealer for $299, nice setup!

slowbubblecar · 10-05-2005

I am thinking I would rather just get the basic wideband kit as I already have my triple guage pod filled and I would need dsmlink to adjust the tune any how. I will just plan on running it through dsmlink and I don't really care to spend 100 more on a guage if it isn't needed.

slowbubblecar · 10-06-2005

Also, what is the difference between the regular wideband controller and the one with the lambada cable?

**Shane@DBPerformance** · 10-06-2005

LC-1 is a wideband system built into a cable, most have some box with electronics in it connected to the system. It has no display. The part# you have up there is the system without the O2 sensor. The one that includes the sensor is usually $50 more.

**Tachyon** · 10-06-2005

I was under the impression that the Bosch sensor that comes with the PLX unit is quite prone to failure when run in the front o2 socket? At least this was my understanding in the past that the heat kills it quite fast (at least compaired to the NTK). Has anybody run the Bosch in their front o2 housing for a good amount of miles?

slowbubblecar · 10-06-2005

thanks, I wasn't sure why the one was 50 cheaper. I will just get the 199 one then because I don't really need a display.

**Shane@DBPerformance** · 10-06-2005

The Bosch sensor is much more prone to failure, no matter where you put it, compared to the NTK. But, yea, you aren't supposed to have it that close to the turbo.

howslowcanyougo · 10-06-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecoli

The Bosch sensor is much more prone to failure, no matter where you put it, compared to the NTK. But, yea, you aren't supposed to have it that close to the turbo.

Not to argue with a "wiseguy" like you Shane cause I'm clearly out matched by your real world knowledge.......BUT.......

The spec's claim that Bosch is suppose to be good through 900c?

Lot's of folks up a tuner claim they are running them up front without issue?

2 cents

**Shane@DBPerformance** · 10-06-2005

In the Innovate instructions, they recommend not exceding 900F sensor temp. Techedge says not to go over 750c gas temp. I think some of the brands recommend putting it something like 12 inches away from the turbo or something like that. We have run then in the stock front O2 sensor location before for temporary tuning, but I would put it a bit farther down the piping, if you were going to run it often. The temps really shouldn't be insanely hot after the turbo though, hopefully a lot of that heat got turned into boost.

tpunx99GSX · 10-06-2005

Has anyone used this one http://www.extremepsi.com/store/cust...cat=747&page=1
Its the PLX R500, Looks pretty nice, but i was wondering if it sees knock on 2gs.

EclipseGST · 10-06-2005

I was going to ask the same question... I saw them on ebay for $400 ish which is pretty decent with a display and logger like that.

**Shane@DBPerformance** · 10-06-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpunx99GSX

Has anyone used this one http://www.extremepsi.com/store/cust...cat=747&page=1
Its the PLX R500, Looks pretty nice, but i was wondering if it sees knock on 2gs.

It would see knock the same way the newer S-AFC2s see knock. Also somewhat similar to the way you see knock in the AEM EMS. It isn't anything like the simple, cut and dried kind of knock reports you get from something like a 1G datalogger or DSMLink.

tpunx99GSX · 10-06-2005

safc2s see knock on a 2g?....

**Shane@DBPerformance** · 10-07-2005

Sure, why not? They have a wire for plugging into a knock sensor and a knock sensor is just a fancy tuned microphone that puts out voltage. It doesn't work the same way a 1G datalogger or DSMLink reports knock though. A dumb device like an AFC will report all noise and any noise, including the normal noise an engine makes while running, so you would have to build a calibration table vs RPM and then still know what is out of the ordinary noise and determine if it is knock.