opinions on LM1/LMA-3 Performance tuning systems?

[PatrickB]

Just curious if anyone here has tried LM1 or LMA3 Performance Tuning Systems by InnovateMotorSports. Worth the $$?? I saw this tool on the diagnostic/tuning section of this site... I was considering trying one out on my '85 Carrera, and was curious if anyone had luck using this tool on a DME or Motronic type system.....

[Steve W]

It is an excellent instrument used by many tuners to log afr data when reprogramming fuel injection systems. It reads faster than the widebands used by many dynos, making it much more accurate. I have quite a few customers who use the LM-1 to log the AFR data on their Carreras, the logs of which they send to me for fine tuning of the chips in their cars. Pictured here is a sample of a WOT fuel log of a modified 3.2 emailed from a customer on the East coast. A chip was custom mapped off his initial LM-1 logs, and this was his result afterwards.

[hobieboy]

I used the LM-1/RPM converter to monitor A/F and other parameters of my engine to make sure nothing blows. With turbo motors and heavy use of track, I'd rather know & be safe than sorry. So far, its been very useful - knowing how rich I run & how efficient the intercooler is, etc.
So I find it useful & worth tht $$$

[bb]

How easy/hard are they to hook up? I am looking at buying one for my car. I am using the Megasquirt unit from Tony. The car is a 76' 2.7 turbo (BAE Kit). Is it mostly used for tuning or does it work w/the Megasquirt at all times to monitor and adjust the EFI?

thanks
Oscar

[PatrickB]

Originally posted by Steve W
It is an excellent instrument used by many tuners to log afr data when reprogramming fuel injection systems. It reads faster than the widebands used by many dynos, making it much more accurate. I have quite a few customers who use the LM-1 to log the AFR data on their Carreras, the logs of which they send to me for fine tuning of the chips in their cars. Pictured here is a sample of a WOT fuel log of a modified 3.2 emailed from a customer on the East coast. A chip was custom mapped off his initial LM-1 logs, and this was his result afterwards.

Thanks for the Info Steve! Cool printout. Any info on that LM3A unit? More bucks, but is it worth it?

Pat

[ssetek]

Originally posted by bb
How easy/hard are they to hook up? I am looking at buying one for my car. I am using the Megasquirt unit from Tony. The car is a 76' 2.7 turbo (BAE Kit). Is it mostly used for tuning or does it work w/the Megasquirt at all times to monitor and adjust the EFI?

thanks
Oscar

the megasquirt has a wideband input to the ecu itself also

[bb]

But, the megasquirt only has one wire that goes to my O2 sensor and one hot/one ground.

OT

[Mike Bonkalski]

Megasquirt doesn't automatically tune. You have log all the info, look at the data and graphs and set your maps or use free software like MegaTweak to recommend or "tweak" fuel maps. This all has to be done by the end user, not on the fly.

[Mike Bonkalski]

The Megasquirt wide-band input comes from the wide-band O2 controller's output. It is usually a 0-5V signal. bb, use the one wire for this signal. You will have to be using MegaSquirt-n-Spark software to handle wideband O2 signals.

[Steve W]

Originally posted by PatrickB
Thanks for the Info Steve! Cool printout. Any info on that LM3A unit? More bucks, but is it worth it?

Pat

The LMA-3 is a supplemental aux data logging device that allows the LM1 to log more than just AFR. I use one and it's a very cool device. The LMA3 allows the LM1 to log RPM, includes a MAP sensor, a thermocouple to measure EGT or cylinder head temps, injector duty cycles, and includes a two axis accelerometer. In addition, any of the sensor channels can be changed to log voltages from whatever part of your engine you so choose, like a TPS or suspension data. AFAIK, the head of engineering of Innovate is developing software that will allow the accelerometers to log g-forces and allow the user to compute the torque and HP curves of the motor. This is in addition to using it as a G-tech type device to measure power gains from tuning changes. The device is worth it if you have a use for all this data, but if all you're after is logging afrs and sensor outputs, the RPM converter, or LMA2 is all you need.

[PatrickB]

Thanks agian Steve, as I understand you are THE Zen Master of programming computer chips!
Unfortunately for me, I am chasing after demons in my car, that I think might be more of an electrical ground problem that I have yet to find- perhaps in the harness itself.... After replacing just about every &^&^&^**$%#^@ part, the problem still intermittantly occurs... It can most easily be described as a flat or dead spot that happens under medium throttle between 2800/3200 rpm - almost feels like a dead cylinder... I have given a more detailed description on another thread - "Venting 911 frustration." I was merely becoming delusional again, actually hoping that using a LM3A might assist in cornering the DEMON....
Could this perhaps be a faulty valve guide. or broken spring? The thing is, it is an intermittent problem.... Not burning oil - 1qt/1500 miles after 130K.

[Mysterytrain]

As long as we are chatting LM-1. I was also thinking about getting one. My question is or my questions are..I have a 78 sc 3.2 short stroke, SSI's & dansk 2in/1out Since I have no O2 sensor can I get by with shoving the probe up the exhaust pipe or do I need the fancy exhaust mount that they sell for the unit? If I decide to add the bung can I weld it to the inlet of the Dansk? I would rather not touch the SSI's, i worship them daily.