Rich or Lean meter?
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,030
Likes: 0
From: Naples,Fl.
Rich or Lean meter?
Is there a meter or something to read to see if my car is running rich or lean? Without buying a $1000.00 computer. Everyone always talks about this subject but I haven' t heard anyone say what they use to read it with. Not to get into a big debate but I know when had my 160 tstat in my car was running rich by looking at the plugs and I could smell it. Now I have a 180 and the plugs look alot better and my car doesn't stink, But I want to see numbers. Any links to the Product would also help.
------------------
'87 Trans Am:
(Engine)
305 TPI
180 Degree Thermostat
JET Fan Switch
TB Bypass
Accel 300+ 8.8 Racing Wires
Accel Super Coil
Bosch Platinium Plugs
Custom Ram Air with K&N
Removed Emissions Equipment & Cat.
(Stereo)
Full Kenwood Excelon System
------------------
'87 Trans Am:
(Engine)
305 TPI
180 Degree Thermostat
JET Fan Switch
TB Bypass
Accel 300+ 8.8 Racing Wires
Accel Super Coil
Bosch Platinium Plugs
Custom Ram Air with K&N
Removed Emissions Equipment & Cat.
(Stereo)
Full Kenwood Excelon System
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,030
Likes: 0
From: Naples,Fl.
btt
------------------
'87 Trans Am:
(Engine)
305 TPI
180 Degree Thermostat
JET Fan Switch
TB Bypass
Accel 300+ 8.8 Racing Wires
Accel Super Coil
Bosch Platinium Plugs
Custom Ram Air with K&N
Removed Emissions Equipment & Cat.
(Stereo)
Full Kenwood Excelon System
------------------
'87 Trans Am:
(Engine)
305 TPI
180 Degree Thermostat
JET Fan Switch
TB Bypass
Accel 300+ 8.8 Racing Wires
Accel Super Coil
Bosch Platinium Plugs
Custom Ram Air with K&N
Removed Emissions Equipment & Cat.
(Stereo)
Full Kenwood Excelon System
Banned
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 0
To view actual rich/lean you must have a wideband 02 sensor ($600 or more) . Plus they are not compatible with our computers 
You could get the car dyno tuned. Roughly $300 and they have all that equipment.
The $50-$200 a/f gauges read off the 02 sensor. I have found they are valuable for 2 things.
1. Shows you when in and out of closed loop
2. Lets you view the happening 02 cross counts (in other words shows you if your 02 sensor is operating correctly in closed loop operation)
For rich/lean conditions it is "fairly" useful. On open loop (cold motor / or motor at WOT when it ignores 02 sensor) the gauge will be steady. In closed loop, your car adjusts itself for 14:7 (emissions) so the gauge jumps all over the place. Get the autometer a/f gauge. By the way, do not tune for WOT with the gauge. It is only there to give you an "idea" of where you are at. Email me with any questions.
------------------
91 Formula 1LE 1 of 46
305 TPI 5speed
1LE/G92/WS6
Paxton SN92 supercharger, Ford SVO 24#injectors, Crane AFPR,SLP airfoil, ported/polished plenum, March alt. pulley,Crane Gold 1.6rrs,MSD coil,MSD6AL (5400rpm limit),Holley 9mm wires,Ac delco R43ts plugs,custom chip,Bosch O2sensor,SLP 1 5/8" headers,SLP catback,shortened shifter,3:73s w/Auburn posi,180* t-stat,JET 195* fan switch, Macewen white face gauges, Autometer gauges, Zoom hi-performance clutch.
[This message has been edited by theformula (edited April 16, 2001).]
You could get the car dyno tuned. Roughly $300 and they have all that equipment.
The $50-$200 a/f gauges read off the 02 sensor. I have found they are valuable for 2 things.
1. Shows you when in and out of closed loop
2. Lets you view the happening 02 cross counts (in other words shows you if your 02 sensor is operating correctly in closed loop operation)
For rich/lean conditions it is "fairly" useful. On open loop (cold motor / or motor at WOT when it ignores 02 sensor) the gauge will be steady. In closed loop, your car adjusts itself for 14:7 (emissions) so the gauge jumps all over the place. Get the autometer a/f gauge. By the way, do not tune for WOT with the gauge. It is only there to give you an "idea" of where you are at. Email me with any questions.
------------------
91 Formula 1LE 1 of 46
305 TPI 5speed
1LE/G92/WS6
Paxton SN92 supercharger, Ford SVO 24#injectors, Crane AFPR,SLP airfoil, ported/polished plenum, March alt. pulley,Crane Gold 1.6rrs,MSD coil,MSD6AL (5400rpm limit),Holley 9mm wires,Ac delco R43ts plugs,custom chip,Bosch O2sensor,SLP 1 5/8" headers,SLP catback,shortened shifter,3:73s w/Auburn posi,180* t-stat,JET 195* fan switch, Macewen white face gauges, Autometer gauges, Zoom hi-performance clutch.
[This message has been edited by theformula (edited April 16, 2001).]
Supreme Member
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 1
From: Macedonia ,OH
Car: Formula
Engine: 6.0 LSX
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt 3:27
I bought an older style GM tech 1 Scanner for 50 bucks at a swap meet. Works like a ace. Tells me the 02 readings TPS. Volts, rpms, block learn, and a $hitload of other stuff.
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