Installing an AEM AFR gauge on CIS car

[puddy]

Have any of you guys installed this gauge on your CIS equiped turbo car?

Wideband Failsafe Gauge | AEM

I was thinking about installing one so I can know if i'm getting proper AFR on my modified 3.3 turbo motor. I'm not sure I really need the ability to measure boost or vacuum on the same gauge as the AFR. I already have two boost gauges in the car. Is there a simpler AEM AFR gauge you'd recommend?

My car currently has a Halmeter AFR meter, which is narrow band set up. Its got coloured bars that light up as opposed to a digital read out. Its my understanding that the O2 sensor in my exhaust headers came with this Halmeter unit. So would that mean I can just switch to this newer AEM wideband O2 sensor unit and simply plug it into where the old sensor came out? I wouldn't have to add a second O2 sensor?

Thanks in advance!

[Porsche 935]

I run an AEM wideband, works well. Just install the new sensor where the old one was and connect the gauge to a 12 volt source and a ground. Harness is already attached to gauge.

[Norm K]

One of the nice things about the one you linked to lies in its name ... Failsafe. It's boost reading feature is not just a gauge but can be set up to protect your engine in the event of over-boost.

[JFairman]

Sounds like you're asking if a wide band AFR gauge will work with a narrow band oxygen sensor also called a lambda sensor. It won't.
You need a wide band oxygen sensor for a wide band AFR gauge. Bosch and NGK make them.

Also, if you mount it in the headers before the turbo where the lambda sensor was for lambda CIS it might not be accurate because of the exhaust pressure and there is a risk of destroying the compressor wheel if part of the oxygen sensor breaks off and goes through the turbo. Apparently that's happened before.
Mount it around 3-4 inches after the turbo before any mufflers and if you use a zork mount it close to the turbo so no air gets mixed in at idle throwing off the reading.

[puddy]

Thanks guys, the existing O2 sensor is mounted before the turbo I believe, I'm running Brians RarlyL8 headers. I don't really want to pull exhaust and install a new O2 bung, oh well more work to do. The gauge does come with a new wideband O2 sensor so I don't have to worry about finding one.

[bpu699]

Search the threads...

Some of the afr meters run off one o2 sensor which is wide band and split the feed to the gauge and the cars computer. That's what I used. Prevents the need for another bung or welding. I believe the brand is PLX.

Highly recommended.

Bo

[OldSpool87]

I have the AEM unit and like it a lot. It's very simple and has data logging with no additional units or components needed. I believe they may now even sell it with a wire harness long enough to reach the dash from the exhaust. I had to have one made by Bisimoto. You can set it up as an LED array which indicates ranges of AFR along or just go with digital numerical read out. It's a nice piece.

[Jeff NJ]

I have the PLX and like it. I also have Rarlyl8 exhaust, so the bung was already in the correct spot right after the turbo.

[boosted79]

You can mount pre-turbo but you need AEM 30-2064 to adjust for back pressure effect on the wide band . Also use an NTK L2H2 sensor, NOT a Bosch if you go pre-turbo. The NTK will take 950C. But for CIS you might as well just weld in a bung post-turbo and use a cheapo Bosch and skip the 30-2064.

[RarlyL8]

Our headers include an O2 bung near the stock location for use with the CIS Lambda sensor.
Our mufflers have an O2 bung in the neck for use with AFR meters.

[puddy]

Thanks guys, I did some reading and think my CIS is an older system and the Halmeter O2 sensor was not tied in with the CIS, so I think going to this wideband AEM AFR gauge is a fairly simple plug in plus relocating an O2 sensor bung behind the turbo, or just buying one of Brian mufflers. Which I have been planning to do anyways sometime soon.

Now if I use the boost cut out feature on the AEM unit, do you think I should use my big VDO boost tell tale gauge?

Also going to add a voltmeter gauge at the same time.

[DSM]

Old thread but wanted to add some info:

I'm running the AEM 30-4900 Wideband Failsafe Gauge - 930 CIS.

I did hookup the boost cut off and it works well. Took a minute to figure out how it triggers. Move afr & pressure limits for trigger point. Data logging graphs are great for tuning but couldn't get rpm to work straight from black/purple tach wire. Solution was MSD 8918 Tach Signal GMR Pickup. Run it right off coil wire.

https://www.aemelectronics.com/files/instructions/30-4900%20Wideband%20Failsafe%20Gauge.pdf

https://www.aemelectronics.com/products/gauges/failsafe-gauges/wideband-failsafe-config-software





https://www.holley.com/products/gauges_and_gauge_accessories/tach_adapters/parts/8918

[MZ3 SBC]

I run a Performance Electronics Wide Band. Super easy to set up especially if you have a bung in your exhaust after the turbo. You need power and a ground. It connects to your smart phone by blue tooth and you can monitor and screen recored if you want to see how you are doing on WOT full boost etc....like $180 bucks....

[OldSpool87]

Originally Posted by MZ3 SBC

I run a Performance Electronics Wide Band. Super easy to set up especially if you have a bung in your exhaust after the turbo. You need power and a ground. It connects to your smart phone by blue tooth and you can monitor and screen recored if you want to see how you are doing on WOT full boost etc....like $180 bucks....

I run a PE in my SC. Where do you have it mounted? Engine bay? I ask because I get intermittent connection issues with my phone.

Thanks

[donbecker1234]

Has anyone had experience using the Lambda sensor bung for an O2 sensor and AFR gauge?

I'm just after a little better tuning experience with my setup, not trying to squeeze every last bit of power out.

[MZ3 SBC]

Originally Posted by OldSpool87

I run a PE in my SC. Where do you have it mounted? Engine bay? I ask because I get intermittent connection issues with my phone.

Thanks

yes I have it mounted the left side f looking at the motor. I loose signal once in awhile but I reload and its good to go.

[OldSpool87]

Originally Posted by MZ3 SBC

yes I have it mounted the left side f looking at the motor. I loose signal once in awhile but I reload and its good to go.

Same set up here. The CDI, coil, plug wires, etc generate EMI which I’m thinking interferes with the Bluetooth signal to the cabin. Wondering how I can amplify the signal. I don’t see shielding all those components as reasonable.