narrow-band Autometer air-fuel gauge

[bugnut68]

http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugedetail.aspx?gid=3083

I recently acquired this gauge in a box of parts from my dad, who races Formula Vee cars... is it of any use for a street car?  I know the hot ticket right now are the wideband gauges, so I was just wondering if this gauge has any practical function or use given it's limited feedback provided...

[Dougy Dee]

I ran that gauge for quite a few years using a 3 wire Bosch O2 sensor. Put about 2000 miles on it with 2 different engines. Weber 44 IDF's.

Driving along at an even speed, about 3000-3500 rpm, the lights often went lean. (Didn't matter what main or idle jets were in there). I chased it for a while until I realized the O2 sensor cooled under little or no load. (It was in the collector).

It was sensitive enough to watch the transition from Idle jet to mains lean out when I ran a too small idle jet one night. I'd watch the lights go lean and then fat about 3000 rpm.

I could also watch it change as the air fattened up as the night cooled.

I think if I was going to FI I would upgrade to a wide band but for carb it was fine.

[bugnut68]

Right on... part of my decision will likely hinge on what the 02 sensor and wiring harness will cost me... if it's somewhat up there, I may be wise to just get a wideband kit, but we'll see how it goes.  I think for my purposes this gauge could be useful, and save me some headaches over the old world way of buying a crapload of jets and chasing my tail...lol...  I only say this because I know myself too well.