wideband advice/thoughts

[tim_s]

hi guys,
I've been running an innovate LC1 in my car for a yr and a half, and its just shat itself. It flashes 8 times - this error code means sensor timing according to the website, and resolution should be to replace sensor. tried free air calibration etc and general faffing about, doesn't help. sensor itself looks in good shape but to have perhaps overheated - the body (that sits outside of the exhaust pipe!) is blackened, aklthough the sensor itself is fine.
anyway i have two qs really, first is what are the alternatives to the LC1? I've never been that impressed, when I was on the rollers it proved to be inaccurate, and appears to go off over time. It's positioned in the default location on an IS, where the two pipes at the front pipe go into one. Mb it should go further downstream? Is it realistic to expect to be able to use it daily?
Second question is, do you reckon I'll get away with just replacing the sensor, or should the controller be replaced too? If the former, where's the best place to get a cheap sensor? Will more or less any 5 wire sensor do or just the Bosch LSU 4.2?

Cheers
Tim

[tim_s]

btw it's not an early LC1 that had the voltage issue and coudl burn out - it had the blue/back box so should be all good.

[appletree]

The AEM wideband in mine is a Five wire bosch unit and its worked for around a year with out issues and i would guess that my exhaust temps would be above yours It was Tinted blueon the ouit side when i got it new though

Would have thought any five wire sensor would do .

[e30_Turbo]

Mines hardwired in so gets all the abuse! Backfires, drowned in petrol etc but they do have a life span as such and I'm on my 3rd sensor and second box of tricks.

Couldn't live without one now I've had it for so long, EGT's next....more toys!

LC-1 has a huge following but there are always other to try, Vems do a lovely duel EGT & AFR setup.

[Gunni]

The vems webshop is the cheapest place to get the wideband sensor, should treat your self to a complete wideband setup from them,
http://shop.vems.hu/catalog/product_inf ... ea10f497cf

[e30_Turbo]

196.058 GBP

That's not a bad price for all that kit!

@ Gunni, can you source me a boost solonoid like the one on the Vems site?

[tim_s]

yeah that's not too bad, I do like the look of it too. How do other widebands do for calibration? Mat how do you get on with your wideband? Is it accurate? does it stay in tune? I've decided to get a cheap replacement sensor from a breaker or ebay to check whether the controller's still ok before splashing out on anything new. if the controller's bust, I'll buy something different i reckon.

[e30_Turbo]

yeah that's not too bad, I do like the look of it too. How do other widebands do for calibration? Mat how do you get on with your wideband? Is it accurate? does it stay in tune? I've decided to get a cheap replacement sensor from a breaker or ebay to check whether the controller's still ok before splashing out on anything new. if the controller's bust, I'll buy something different i reckon.

I've got a few spares from the scrappy myself, there's a few cars with the LSU-4 as std. Best working is the innovate sensor though, no idea why.

Merc one I had worked best but not for long, it still works fine now for about 10 mins then goes loopy, think the turbo heat is doing it in.

HTH, Mark

[Gunni]

196.058 GBP

That's not a bad price for all that kit!

@ Gunni, can you source me a boost solonoid like the one on the Vems site?

it would be from the vems site then
your better of ordering one from them, no middle man and time delays

[tim_s]

Well, won a wideband on ebay last night off a 2004 FSI golf for £15, looks like the bosch LSU 4.2, is 5 wire and has the right connector anyway so fingers crossed.

[Karan]

VEMS stuff is fairly widely used on the jap scene and is very niiiiiiiiiiiiice

[hoshy]

Interesting. I've not had any LC-1 trouble yet as it's so new. Not sure if it's drifted calibration yet though as I've got nothing to reference it against.

Keeps us posted with whether yours is f00bed or not. Be interested to see what you go for next mate, if anything.

[e30_Turbo]

Well, won a wideband on ebay last night off a 2004 FSI golf for £15, looks like the bosch LSU 4.2, is 5 wire and has the right connector anyway so fingers crossed.

There are more out there

[tim_s]

yeah hope i can get it fixed on the cheap! Let me know if you see any more cheapy ones, might try to get a spare.

[ShepsEvo3]

yeah hope i can get it fixed on the cheap! Let me know if you see any more cheapy ones, might try to get a spare.

I've just paid over £700 for my Dastek lambda reader! But it is for my own personal use and will also link up with the dyno too

[tim_s]

yeah hope i can get it fixed on the cheap! Let me know if you see any more cheapy ones, might try to get a spare.

I've just paid over £700 for my Dastek lambda reader! But it is for my own personal use and will also link up with the dyno too

yeah but yours works mate!

[hoshy]

Word is that the dastek one works properly yeah. My dad's getting the same when the dastek dyno arrives

[ShepsEvo3]

Word is that the dastek one works properly yeah. My dad's getting the same when the dastek dyno arrives

Whens it due mate? We've had ours for a year now and dispite some niggles initially, it never fails to blow me away with what it can do.

[hoshy]

Should be installed in the next couple of months. He's having a booth put up too. Should be damn cool I'm looking forward to having a play with it not that I really know what I'm doing

Hopefully they will have got some experience from your and other people's feedback so he'll have less trouble... At least that's the hope!

[tim_s]

just thought I'd tie this up - fitted the new golf WB and she's working again. reading 11:1 at WOT, but am not too worried, will get her on the rollers soon to see where i am.