Wideband and Wideband+DSMLink ??'s

[Ed98GST]

I normally read and don't post, as I don't have anything valuable to add at this stage. However, I'm in the process of purchasing both DSMLink and a wideband currently, and have just a couple of questions.
First, I know that link is designed with the TechEdge in mind, but that basically any wb02 will work. Based on experience, though, is there one that works better with link than the others?
Either way, that leads me to my next questions. I'm not sure which wideband to go with. With DSMLink, my understanding is that I would not need any add'l wb02 equipment to log or tune with it -- is this correct? The two I'm leaning toward are the LM-1 or PLX. From what I've read, the primary difference appears to be that the LM-1 offers more potential if I decided to purchase the add'l accessories later for the purpose of tuning other cars. Is this the basic difference, or are there other pertinent factors? Is there a significant difference in quality? Are there other units I should be looking at?
Any help/input is greatly appreciated -- looking forward to getting knee deep in tuning, but want to make sure I do it right the first time with good and appropriate equipment.

Thanks!
Craig

 

[swordfish]

The PLX works great with the DSMLink. I run the M300 and havent had any issues. It nice to look at a log after making a pull and having the AFR there to refer to when making tuning changes. Not many people run the LM-1 mainly because of its size.

jeff

 

[DSMJim]

I run the LM-1 and it's a great unit. I ran all my wiring into my glove box and hide the unit in there. They have a gauge but are coming out with a new digital gauge shortly. You can use the output from the unit for an autometer gauge but it still doesn't have much of a read out to speak of.

I also have the RPM inductive pick up so I can watch my RPM with my O2 readings on my laptop. It works realy well at the track with a lap top for recording and later viewing the results.

 

[CanadianTSi]

Does anyone know if you can Log the AEM Wideband with DSMLink?

 

[98spydert]

I'm curious as to why this one isn't brought up much? I haven't really heard any feedback on it...
http://www.zeitronix.com/Products/zt2/zt2.htm

Expecially with DSMLink since you can log an aditional input.

 

[Agent Ezzard]

I also have a PLX wideband and PLX gauge with DSMLink

 

[Ed98GST]

Thanks for all the input -- very helpful.

Jeff,
If I go with the PLX, I'm undecided between the 250 and 300. I know the only difference between the two is the digital readout, but don't have enough experience with tuning to know if the digital is worth it. If you had it to do again, would you go with the 300 or the 250+wideband gauge?

Jim,
I don't have my link yet, so I'll have to ask b/c I don't have access to the forums (sorry)...do you know if DSMLink allows the logging of o2's by RPM, or is the inductive pickup needed for this? I was under the impression that it does, but that's just an inference based on everything I've read...

Thanks again,
Craig

 

[Ed98GST]

I also have a PLX wideband and PLX gauge with DSMLink

Sorry, missed your post when I posted my reply. Which model did you go with? How do you like the gauge? I have a pretty blinky meter, and wouldn't mind replacing it with something useful.

 

[Agent Ezzard]

I would go with what I have simply because the wideband unit is hidden.in the glove box.

 

[Omega]

The inductive pick up that Jim was refering to was for the LM-1 to log RPM.

DSMLink does not need and external RPM pickup point. All of that is taken care of within the ECU.


98spydert:

I would also like to know why the LT-2 has not seen more useage. It looks to be a pretty nice unit.



DSMJim:

Where do you have your sensor mounted? I also have the LM-1, but found that after a very short period of time the sensor crapped out. I later found out that if it is too close to a very high heat source, it bitches about it.


I just installed a SBR-G50 so I need to get back into this whole tuning thing!

 

[Ed98GST]

Are you running the wideband unit in place of one of your narrowbands? If so, do you have it in the front, rear, or another bung you drilled?
I'm running a test pipe, but have a spot for my 2nd o2 -- thought about running it there all the time. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Ed98GST]

The inductive pick up that Jim was refering to was for the LM-1 to log RPM.

DSMLink does not need and external RPM pickup point. All of that is taken care of within the ECU.

Thanks Omega. That's what I thought, but wanted to make sure I understood correctly.

 

[Omega]

No problem Ed.


I don't have the WB replacing the bank1 sensor. I see no point. If the wideband craps out or just hickups a little, the ECU will have a fit. It's easier to take out the WB and not worry about setting the old one back up.


If you have no cat, you can put the sensor anywhere (close to the front is preferable). If you do have a cat, it MUST go before it. I have a cat, 2 resonators AND a muffer on my car. The two resonators took up the space for the stock second O2 sensor. I added a bung pre-cat for the wide band. When the wide band isn't pluged in, I put a dummy sensor in there

 

[TOTalon]

The Zeitronix kit has a simulated narrowband feature that allows you to replace the front O2 sensor with the Bosch LSU. Also, the DSMLink guys have written a routine to log it.

I think the Zeitronix kit is the best bang for the buck system out there. But Im biased because I have one .

 

[Ronin17]

I have the LM-1 and DSMLink, works great. If I had to do it again I would get a WB kit that is easier to permanently install into the car. I haven't taken the time to wire of the LM-1 into the glovebox, so I have it under my seat with the power going to the cigarette power.

WB + DSMLink are a awesome combo.

 

[DsMWookie]

Well I am a 1g guy so heres my question........I got my normal logger...can I just ditch that and settle for the LM1 unit in its place or do I need both? I mainly want something that is very simple to work.

 

[Ed98GST]

Well I am a 1g guy so heres my question........I got my normal logger...can I just ditch that and settle for the LM1 unit in its place or do I need both? I mainly want something that is very simple to work.

I'd say keep your logger. While the LM-1 provides the ability to log quite a few variables, it's missing some of the key items that a logger can log. One of the main things I see is that you'd lose the ability to log knock -- that reason alone would justify keeping the logger, in my opinion. I don't currently have a logger, so take this for what it's worth...

 

[Omega]

Ed is right, don't ditch the logger. LM-1 can log: 6? other items beside the 02, but not the knock, injector duty, things of that nature like the logger can.

You 1G guys have it good being able to log knock. We 2G's are almost forced to buy a WB if we want any chance getting a good tune out of the car.


I am curious to know if the PLX and the ZT-2 have the same heat up time and free air calibration that the LM-1 has. Do these units keep an eye on the sensor like the LM-1 does in order to keep it at the right temp? Is there an electronic intruction manual that I can look at?

 

[swordfish]

Thanks for all the input -- very helpful.

Jeff,
If I go with the PLX, I'm undecided between the 250 and 300. I know the only difference between the two is the digital readout, but don't have enough experience with tuning to know if the digital is worth it. If you had it to do again, would you go with the 300 or the 250+wideband gauge?

Jim,
I don't have my link yet, so I'll have to ask b/c I don't have access to the forums (sorry)...do you know if DSMLink allows the logging of o2's by RPM, or is the inductive pickup needed for this? I was under the impression that it does, but that's just an inference based on everything I've read...

Thanks again,
Craig

I would still get the M300. I like having the readout in the car where I can see it.

jeff

 

[Agent Ezzard]

So do I. I just like the gauge idea.

 

[ITSME4G63]

I'm curious as to why this one isn't brought up much? I haven't really heard any feedback on it...
http://www.zeitronix.com/Products/zt2/zt2.htm

Expecially with DSMLink since you can log an aditional input.

ANybody got opinions on this?

 

[DSMJim]

Since I made my own O2 eliminator down pipe I put my O2's way down stream not up high like the stock O2 housing. I put my front O2 sensor about 15" from the back of the turbo, and my extra bug which has my wideband sensor in it is about 2" down from that. I did it this way because before I had the wideband O2 in my car, I would dyno my car with they dyno guys wideband there so I didn't have to take my front O2 out. I just put an extra bung and plug there and pulled the plug out and screwed in the wideband O2 sensor easy smeezy. Now it's got my wideband in it all the time. I put them down pretty far so it was easy to get at under the car, basically the very bottom of my downpipe just about where it bends under the oil pan is where both my O2 sensors are.

This is the wideband O2 sensor, my stock o2 sensor is just above it.

 

[Boosted98gsx]

i'm running the PLX M-250 in my car along w/ DSMlink. I must say that to tune properly with DSMlink, ALL you need is a wideband, a boost gauge (Or GM 3-Bar MAP), and of course DSMlink.

I have my bung welded about 18" precat in my downpipe and haven't had any problems with it at all. Make sure, however, that wherever you decide to put your wideband sensor, that you have NO exhaust leaks prior to it, or else you will get innacurate readings.

The AEM is compatible w/ DSMlink, but it's way too expensive for what it is. It's just a wideband. All you have to do, is route the 5v wire into one of your ECU's 5v inputs (you will find out about these when you get access to the DSMlink forums), and possibly wire in (if it's offered) the simulated 1v output into the front O2's input for a more accurate reading for your ecu to read from during cruising.

the DSMlink + Wideband combo are worth their weight in gold. definately the most powerful and best tuning tool for the money!

 

[Kevin Jewer]

I agree. I Can hardly remember what it was like before the WBO2, seems like shooting in the dark. I use the techedge version 2, just because the sensor is only 30 bucks. I run race gas often, so this will pay off when I need to preplace the sensor. I found the digital readout in the car to be completely useless. Trying to look at that thing on an 11 second pass is a pain in the balls. And the number is always jumping around a bit, and you wont be able to see the curve. I like to see it right in my main log along wth all the other parameters I log.

There are some other auxiliary uses for the WBO2 as well. For one, my wideband matches what DSMlink calculates my AFR should be based on my settings, injector size, and the fuel specific gravity. If the WBO2 goes richer, I know I have a boost leak. Etc.

 

[Omega]

Gee, thanks guys, now you are making me seriously think about buying the dsmlink.