APC Blackout AFR gauge problem

[Boosted_ATL]

Ok well my new S13 has a cheap afr gauge in it. I know I need a good wideband but it wouldn't hurt to get this one working right for the time being. Well the problem is it just bounces around from rich to lean. I'm not exactly sure how he has it wired up or anything I have only had this car for a few days. This is the gauge thats in the car http://www.amazon.com/APC-Blackout-Black-Ratio-Smoked/dp/B003IVDQJ0 I cant find any installation instructions online. I'm pretty sure its ran to the stock O2 sensor as well.

On a side note, took her to atlanta drag way over the weekend. Times weren't all that good. Ran a best of 15.017 at 98mph with 2.5 60ft. I need better tires.

Oh yea I have a redtop sr20 in it, pretty much all stock.

[e1_griego]

It's a narrowband gauge, which means it's pretty much useless.

[Boosted_ATL]

Yes I know, would still like it to function properly until I can order a wideband. It was in the car when I bought it.

[e1_griego]

It's probably working just fine.

Pretty lights are about all they're good for.

[Boosted_ATL]

I don't think it's working right, it bounces from rich to lean constantly. But I get what your saying though.

[Chaluska]

I don't think it's working right, it bounces from rich to lean constantly. But I get what your saying though.

thats how a narrowband O2 sensor reads...

constant switching..

if it does not switch constantly, then it is defective

[Boosted_ATL]

thats how a narrowband O2 sensor reads...

constant switching..

if it does not switch constantly, then it is defective

I didn't know that. Guess I will be removing that gauge then.

[blkvrtswp]

If working properly and the engine tune is good, it should stop bouncing around and give you a semi-useful reading when you are getting into the throttle.

[Boosted_ATL]

If working properly and the engine tune is good, it should stop bouncing around and give you a semi-useful reading when you are getting into the throttle.

It doesn't, but I pulled my plugs and engine seems to be running right. So I'm not to concerned. It will be fine until I get a wideband.

[Boosted_ATL]

Well I actually watched the gauge as I was driving home last night. When I get on the throttle more than just cruising it goes to rich and stays there til I come off. Any other time its usually bouncing around like its crazy. So I guess it is actually working right. Good to know

[dorkidori_s13]

youd be better off investing in a good adjustable fuel pressure regulator and a datalink cable from NISTune with ECUTalk (free software). if youre running a pretty much bone stock motor with good couplers and tbolt clamps (NO SPECTRE CRAP) with no boost leaks, youre not gonna lean out as the OEM T25 turbo really cant push enough to boost to do a whole lot of harm.

wideband would be handy if you were actually tuning the car... but on a stock SR just make sure your MAF is in good shape (clean it on a normal basis), you invest in a GOOD air filter (i highly recommend a K&N, again avoid Spectre crap), your plugs are good, you dont have any boost leaks and your OEM sensors are in good shape.

[Boosted_ATL]

youd be better off investing in a good adjustable fuel pressure regulator and a datalink cable from NISTune with ECUTalk (free software). if youre running a pretty much bone stock motor with good couplers and tbolt clamps (NO SPECTRE CRAP) with no boost leaks, youre not gonna lean out as the OEM T25 turbo really cant push enough to boost to do a whole lot of harm.

wideband would be handy if you were actually tuning the car... but on a stock SR just make sure your MAF is in good shape (clean it on a normal basis), you invest in a GOOD air filter (i highly recommend a K&N, again avoid Spectre crap), your plugs are good, you dont have any boost leaks and your OEM sensors are in good shape.

I just cleaned the MAF, TB, and changed the oil in the past week since I bought it. It has Cone air filter guy said it was a HKS but im not sure the HKS I see online are all mushroom filter, plugs look almost new, all the clamps and boots on my FMIC are good so I'm assuming I dont have any boost leaks. I have been looking into the nistune since I plan on doing some upgrades and will be wanting to tune it once I do.

I was planning on upgradind the fuel pump, getting the wideband, and boost controller and going up to 10 PSI in the near future. Should I add a adjustable fuel pressure regulator to my list? What can I do with ECUtalk? I thought I needed to add the daughterboard to the ecu before I could do any tuning, or does it just monitor everything?

Later im going to do a turbo upgrade, bigger injectors, and MAF. But for now I just want some simple upgrades and I want to learn to tune my own shit. I refuse to let other people work on my cars so I have to learn to tune it before I can do any real upgrades.