Chim / Griff oxygen sensors with proper ECU

[steve-V8s]

Of you lot that have after market ECUs fitted how have you dealt with the fact that there are two oxygen sensors on the Chim and Griff as standard but most ECUs it seems only use one ?

It seems sensible to think that with a plenum you only have one lot of air going in which should hopefully be the same on both banks and you don’t have indapendent control of the injectors so measuring just one should be OK. I guess the only risk is if after mapping an injector gets lazy you could be running lean without the ECU knowing. I was thinking that after mapping and checking both sides are similar one side could drive the ECU and the other could have a wide band fitted for a dash mounted display. Anybody else done that ?

[GreenV8S]

That's what I'm doing, but without the checking. It's mechanically symmetrical and there's going to be far more variation from front to back than from side to side; I just don't see the point of splitting the injector feedback into two banks.

[Graham]

I've run both my setup open loop, although I do have a wideband sensor on one bank, with a guage just to make sure nothing horrible is going on!!!

G

[450Nick]

I just removed both narrowband lambda sensors and plumbed one in post y-piece which is linked both to the ECU which runs closed loop adaptive mode, and to a gauge on the dash so I can see what's going on. I have a warning light on the dash as well so if the AFR goes beyond a set point (in my case 15AFR), it comes on to draw my attention. You can tell if an injector starts to play up, I had it once when a wire came loose but the car just began to misfire and ran slightly lean. Checked sparks and all were there, checked each injector and problem showed its self

[steve-V8s]

What is the wideband sensor of choice ? Heard that some are perhaps not so good as others.

[GreenV8S]

steve-V8s said:

What is the wideband sensor of choice ? Heard that some are perhaps not so good as others.

The Bosch LSU4 sensor seems to be ubiquitous, it's the driver/controller which is a bit more controversial.

[450Nick]

Agreed, I had a lot of problems with the Innovate LC-1, though many seem to have had no problems at all. I now use the Dynojet Wideband Commander however and have to say it is an excellent bit of kit (though costs a fair bit more). Very accurate, easy to set up and well put together - my favorite part of it though is the self calibration. With the Innovate, you must calibrate the sensor in free air and check/recalibrate from time to time, with the Dynojet you just plug in and leave it and it will self adjust every time you turn it on. The gauge it comes with is made by Autometer and has a handy function of a configurable warning light which among other things, can be used to alert you if the car is running lean.

[fatjon]

Anything but an LC1. Having wasted my money of a few of them after hearing that the problems have been fixed (which they have not) I bought a techedge. Worked first time and has done ever since. Twice as much money but well worth it.

[Uncle Fester]

I bought an Innovate LC1 from Emerald with their ECU.

V8 Developments fitted it all, but couldn’t get the Innovate to run accurately. Emerald now refuses to supply or connect them.

As a result, I have an Innovate LC1 bolted to the car, but not doing anything, it never has. I have a V8 Enhancements Y piece. Clive can supply these with a single wideband boss fitted.

The car runs sweetly on open loop. One day I will get around to putting another brand of wideband in. But for now I have put the problem on hold and turned my attention to other areas.

[GreenV8S]

If you aren't using it I suggest taking the sensor out and putting a plug in instead. The sensors are not particularly cheap and have a finite life. If you're leaving it powered off they won't last long at all and it's probably already wrecked, but if it's been keep 'live' it's probably still worth saving.

[cinquecento]

another vote for Techedge..used a 3A1/Bosch LSU with my MSII. Worked first time..

Edited by cinquecento on Monday 9th February 00:40

[Uncle Fester]

GreenV8S said:

If you aren't using it I suggest taking the sensor out and putting a plug in instead. The sensors are not particularly cheap and have a finite life. If you're leaving it powered off they won't last long at all and it's probably already wrecked, but if it's been keep 'live' it's probably still worth saving.

Thanks for the tip, but the Y piece came with a blanking bung. When V8D couldn't make it work they put it straight back in.