1G In 2023, which wideband kit should I get?

[arfbarkyPrime]

I have an ECU with ECMlink ready to install, and the olde SuperAFC to remove. I'd like to go ahead and put a wideband sensor into the stock location. Which one should I get in this day and age? I don't need fancy (I looked at PLX DM6 and that seems complicated and overkill), I need simple and works properly/non-fiddly with ECMlink.

It seems these wideband ones get wired into a module, then from there into the ECU? When you take out the narrowband sensor, do you just leave the harness connector, like zip it up somewhere?

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Yes, leave the old connector and just tie it back. The wideband will have it's own "controller" and then that will feed your ECU (and gauge if you have one) the signal from your new wideband sensor so you can see if you are lean or rich or juuuussst right! It is pretty much a MUST for tuning when you are using ECMLink and you will like having it. It will get assigned to one of the inputs on your ECU in the program and then you will want to capture and display that value.

 

[arfbarkyPrime]

Any recommendations on brand/model? The ones listed at ECMlink are outdated...

 

[diambo4life]

I use AEM in mine. No issues.

AEM X-Series Wideband UEGO Air/Fuel Ratio Sensor Controller Gauge

AEM's X-Series Wideband UEGO Air/Fuel Ratio Sensor Controller Gauges are built upon unique, patented 100% digital technology (Patent 9,575,030) that makes them the fastest responding wideband air/fuel ratio controllers in independent testing*.The X-Series Wideband UEGO AFR Sensor Controller...

www.extremepsi.com

 

[DiSeM]

I use the AEM X Series UEGO (30-0300) in mine, it works well enough but I faced some issues where the pins backed out of the harness and then didn't stay in all of the time resulting in inconsistency. I was unable to get any warranty support for the issue and had to buy replacement harnesses. Last year I tried remedying the issue with some super glue and ended up being a mistake because the harness was then stuck in the gauge, and so I reached out to AEM to see if I could get it repaired for a fee - only to find out they do not offer any sort of repair anymore, so I ended up buying another gauge (only cause I already have 4 others that are AEM and I wanted to keep it uniform) I would highly recommend going with an Innovate LC-1 like suggested by ECM Link over the AEM X series after experiencing this issue.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

And I run the LC-2 Innovate model and haven't had any issues with mine talking to the ECU. I have 2 cars that are running them, although some have had their own issues with the model I use, I have not had any.

 

[arfbarkyPrime]

Alright thanks for the tips; I'll spring for an LC-2. Thanks!

 

[Adam]

I've had nothing but bad luck with two different LC2s in two different vehicles. They work with ecmlink just fine though.

 

[arfbarkyPrime]

Crossing my fingers; I'm not far off stock really though so I'm hoping for no issues.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

To be honest, I think it is the sensor that is the problem with widebands, not the controller. We have a Holley Sniper setup on a SBC and that Bosch 4.9 wideband sensor went out on us about a month ago. My son called Holley and they sent him out a new 4.9 sensor and the problem was solved.

 

[snowborder714]

Ballenger Motorsports - High Performance Electronics

www.bmotorsports.com

This one has been rock solid and gives you choices on different levels of sensors. They are coming out with a v3 sometime soon but I'm not sure when it will be available.

 

[4g63t]

Innovate lc-2, they work grate and no need to calibrate on lm programmer like the old ones.

 

[99dsmer4g63]

+1 for the innovate brand. I have a mtx-l though I believe. I’ve had it for 10+ years and just calibrate once a year or anytime I have the sensor in free air.

The Mtx-l I know was probably the cheapest in innovate brand but I was 18 and didn’t have a lot of duckets.

However like I said I have zero complaints. Data logs just fine through ecmlink. I still have my factory front 02 sensor though as I’m not simulating and can’t speak for how it would work if you wanted to simulate. Ecmlink doesn’t have the mtx-l as an available input so I used the lc1 option. Seems to work fine everything lines up from the gauge to the computer and I double check it last year with the dyno and they were hand in hand.

-Daniel

 

[DSMPT]

I looked at PLX DM6 and that seems complicated and overkill), I need simple and works properly/non-fiddly with ECMlink.

The PLX DM-6 is just a gauge that is usually combined with PLX SM-AFR (Wideband O2 sensor and module) or with other sensors and allow you to display multiple sensor signals by daisy chaining.
PLX wideband O2 would work just fine with ECMLink. And no common sensor failure. I have zero complain after using 10+ years.

It seems these wideband ones get wired into a module, then from there into the ECU?

Yes.
The module has 1v and 5 v analog output. So no need to simulate narrow band in ECMLink in case if you don't like to.