Alright so I did the search function, and no1 seems to have asked a q as dumb as this. Everyone says it's sooo essential to have the wideband, but why exactly would I need this? And where the hell would you put it? It doesn't seem like somthing I would b able to mount anywhere and have it look good.

 

Because you need to know if your A/F is on the safe side. Lean A/F will lead to detonation and detonation will lead to blown engine. Hope this is enough reason for you to get one.

 

aaaalright, but this isn't somthing that get mounted is it?

 

goes with the other guages in the pod or on the pillar.

 

What EMS do you have?

 

right now....the turbonetics reflash....i know....i know, lol will be getting the utec soon!

 

You don't need an AFR gauge but it's a good diagnostic tool. 2 AFR gauges makes an even better diagnostic tool. One on each cylinder bank. The boost gauge is a necessity.

Lean fuel air mixture is what will destry your engine.

 

Why get a UTEC if the reflash is working for you. What were your AFR's on the dyno?

 

Well wouldn't all of that be takin care of on the dyno tune when installing the utec? Or does it fluctuate throughout the year w/ weather changes?

 

bc everybody bitches about it and talks about how much betr the utec is for the car, plus we can't dyno tune with the reflash, when turbonetics sets it up, they really don't have the same accuracy as you would on a dyno. The car still hasn't made it to the dyno, I was planning on getin the meth inj and utec b4 all of that bc of the ridiculous heat here in az....its like 115 degrees ovr here during the day...not too healthy for turboed cars, lol

 

Since you live in AZ then your Temp won't change as much as NY but tune will still change with Utec and that is why you have to make sure the Temp Compensation in Utec is set right. Your Dyno shop won't be able to tune every temp range unless your shop can change their ambient temp from 90F to 60F when tuning. I don't agree that you don't need a wideband and it is just for diagnostic only since you still need to be able to spot your A/F every now and then. What if your Fuel Pump fail or one of your injector failed? There are so many reason why your A/F will lean or rich out so you need to be able to check them at will.

 

Since you are getting Utec, I would rather get the turboxs tuner and get an external gauge if you want it mounted in a pod. There is not a big difference between the Tuner and a standalone Wideband to begin with. The tuner is so small you can mount it anywhere. Reason I suggest the Tuner is that it makes Logging easier and you can make your own MINOR adjustment if necessary. Also being able to log your A/F and IAT will help you adjust your Temp Compensation by yourself. All you need to do as add a % on the temp compensation on that specific temp range and you are all set.

 

My advice is that you have no idea what's going on until you get the car on a dyno and check the AFR. If the reflash works for you then it works end of story until you want more power or modify some other part of your setup requiring a tune.

You NEED to get a base dyno after an install or else your asking for trouble.

 

+1. For some it works, for others it doesn't. Usually for those that it doesn't work, they have other mods that are altering air/fuel delivery, or they made a mistake during the install.

Either way, do what Jet says and run the car on a dyno and have a professional analyze the AFR graph and power curve before running the car in boost.

 

I recommend you get over to Intense in Mesa. They can dyno your car, talk to you about the UTEC vs. reflash vs. Pro-EFI vs. other EMS' and tune your car on the dyno if you go with a new EMS.

 

I want it cuz it has a buncha pretty lights and goes back and fourth really fast! ..sorry im REALLY tired.

 

Awww, mine just flashes numbers at me really fast

 

Fact is, you dont need a wideband. They re a great accessory to have in a FI car, but if you are tuned correctly, its a non-issue.

It seems to me these days alot of people have widebands, but if they read 'out' they discount them as reading incorrectly. Alot just have it for show. Alot just have it cause they got caugth in marketing hype (markup anyone)? I know we got into them in the Honda scene, because DIY tuning is big.

 

You dont have the cooler one thats why.

 

I would say that AZ weather is harder to tune for. they have drastic temperature changes within the same day......desert climate. with no humidity to help control the air temperature, you can easily see a 50 degree temperature change within a matter of hours....and that happens all the time.