air/fuel gauges? are they really any help?

[4g63mightymax]

Hey guys, i am new to this forum, and this is my very first question, im sure there will be lots more to come. thanks in advance. now here is my question....
I really would like to know what my air/fuel ratio is with my 91 talon turbo engine. I have heard that the air/fuel gauges arent really good enough to actually tell you how good or bad the engine is running, they are very "general". i know they work off the o2 sensor and all that, but i am wondering if they are good enough to actually tune the engine to what the af gauge says...?
thanks very much
jeremy

 

[rdrkt]

No they are almost completely useless. Get a pocket logger or pony up for a DIY wideband. Those will both help you 10x more than an a/f gauge.

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

What he said. Get en EGT to monitor your condition on WOT runs.

 

[RippinGSX]

An A/F gauge is good for only 1 thing and that's to tell you that the O2 sensor is still working. Trusting an A/F gauge is like trusting the grim reaper with your life

 

[swordfish]

They also make good paper weights.

jeff

 

[G-Ell]

An A/F gauge is good for a quick glance on the fly to see if everything is okay, but in terms of tuning purposes, they aren't very useful. Get something that will show you the 02 voltage numbers if you truely feel the need for one, otherwise get an EGT gauge.

 

[4g63mightymax]

Like i said in my last post, i am very new to the 4g63 engine, and upgrading it. maybe this is a foolish question, but since im the new guy, im gonna ask anyway. What exactly is an EGT? im guessing Exhaust Gas........something? The second part of my question is what is a Pocketlogger? I know i may sound like a fool, but just bear with me, i learn quick.
thanks again!!!!
jeremy

 

[95gstproject]

www.digitaltuning.com is for the pocketlogger
exhaust gas temperature

 

[herostar]

i've got a handspring visor... I think all i need is the software download and the 25 dollar cable. Is this right? also, how much does the software cost?

 

[4g63mightymax]

THEY REMOVED MY PICTURE IN THE GALLERY, BOOOOO. MAYBE THE 4G63T ENGINE WAS NOT NOTICED IN THE PICTURE OF MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS? I HAVE A 1990 MIGHTY MAX WITH A DSM MOTOR IN IT. SHOULDNT THAT COUNT AS A DSM CAR? OH WELL, I GUESS NO MORE PICTURES FOR JEREMY......
SNIFFLE SNIFFLE
.....

 

[G-Ell]

Originally posted by 4g63mightymax
OH WELL, I GUESS NO MORE PICTURES FOR JEREMY......

So, instead, you post them in random threads using all caps?

 

[RippinGSX]

Originally posted by 4g63mightymax
THEY REMOVED MY PICTURE IN THE GALLERY, BOOOOO. MAYBE THE 4G63T ENGINE WAS NOT NOTICED IN THE PICTURE OF MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS? I HAVE A 1990 MIGHTY MAX WITH A DSM MOTOR IN IT. SHOULDNT THAT COUNT AS A DSM CAR? OH WELL, I GUESS NO MORE PICTURES FOR JEREMY......
SNIFFLE SNIFFLE
.....

And what does this have to do with his A/F gauge question??

 

[4g63mightymax]

I posted the question about the AF gauge, and it would have gone in my 4g63 truck, thats how it is related. and sorry bout the caps lock, didnt realize it was on. i will make a mental note of that,
check caps lock......check caps lock.....

 

[G-Ell]

Heh, just noticed you're the thread starter... Little off topic, but now I understand. Might wanna PM Ludachis and talk to him about it.

 

[TALON_TURBO_TSI]

I would have to agree with the rest in order to tune your car right you must have a egt or a pocket logger like the other say. the a/f gauge is hust a guess on how you are running. It measures o2 voltage. As for the egt gauge it measure the exhaust gauge temp. it will give you a better idea of lean or rich mixture..just my o2

 

[4g63mightymax]

ok, so my plan of attack is that im gonna get an EGT instead of the AF gauge to start off with. Does the EGT give me an actual temperature number? or is it a rich/lean gauge that works off temperature? if it gives me a temperature, what temp am i looking for?
thanks in advance
jeremy
p.s. has anybody ever seen another mighty max with a 4g63t in it before? i know there is one other besides mine, its in some video.....

 

[RippinGSX]

EGT= Exhaust gas temperature. Most of them read from 0-1600 degrees. A bit below 1600 is the max you would ever want to see or your melting down. They are an actual meter with a needle, not a blinky POS like an A/F gauge.

 

[G-Ell]

It's gonna give you the actually temperature of the exhaust. Obviously, the leaner your motor is running, the higher your EGT's are going to be. How hot your motor runs varies on mods, age... so I can't tell you what the normal operating temp of your particular motor is.

 

[4g63mightymax]

I just want to thank you guys for all the responses, i feel smarter already!!!!!!!!
J