I have the Techedge v1.5 WB unit. This unit comes with a narrow band output feature. If I have understood this feature correctly, it will enable the factory PCM to use the 02 readings (which are much more accurate at WOT) from the WB unit. I just do not know which wires to tie into. Has anybody messed with this feature????

 

Interesting feature, why would you use it exactly though? Besides the low miles lifespan of the unit, WOT wont be closed loop anyway.

 

That is true but the output from the 02 sensors can still be logged. As it stands now, I need a separate program on my laptop just to log the WB readings. And I only get the WB readings . Nothing else. If I can run the output through the factory PCM than I can simply use the data logger provided with LT1 edit. Of course, the LT1 edit logger provides alot of other usefull info (TPS, RPM, spark advance..., etc).

Tunning with NB 02 sensors is a bit "risky" because of the inaccuracy outside of 14.7 afr. That said, I still tune by my logged NB 02 sensor readings. Would be much more accurate if the 02 sensor readings were via the WB unit.

 

You misunderstand what the NB output does. Its basically just an O2 sim, it oscilates around a preset voltage which you set (normally to .5v) so the PCM doesnt go nuts thinking its missing an O2 sensor. This output has absolutely no relationship to the actual AFR.

IMO its a pretty worthless 'feature' and pretty dangerous if you dont understand how it works. Say you screw up and set the simulated output to .700v. (the adjustment pot is very sensative so its wouldnt be hard to have it even further off) Now if you connect this to the PCM it will interpret .700v as a rich conditon and it will start to pull fuel accordingly. A normal O2 sensor would see the mixture lean out and return to ~.500v. But since the simulated NB output has no idea what the actual AFR is it stays at .700v. This causes the PCM to pull even more fuel and the cycle continues. This is bad becase we all know what can happen when motors run too lean...

 

Well shoot!.. .. thanks

 

Logging would be great wouldn't it. How much did the unit run you?

 

They do have logging software for it but its fairly limited in what it records. Basically you get AFR, RPM, and two "user inputs" you select (anything between 0-5v).

The v1.5 unit was ~$200 US for an unassembled kit. That included the display unit, a premade 8' cable for the sensor, the unit itself, and all the connectors. Pretty much everything except the sensor itself. They also sell fully assembled units but I'm sure they're a bit more expensive.

 

Nice, I remember an Aussie kit but I haven't checked thier site in awhile, I'd like to jump on the boat at some point myself since it will reduce dyno costs.

 

I just received my Aussie WB and have been fooling around with it a lil bit. I haven't been able to get the barebones DOS datalogger to work just yet. The V1.5 WB unit also has a 0 to 5V linear Vout. I'm thinking I could use this as an input to to the ECM and just use Datamaster to log it. I think the AC pressure is 5V. I know this has been kicked around before but I don't know anyone who has successfully done it. Now, the Turbo Typhoon guys have written a patch for the 749 code to add an input for the WB unit. It's supposed to work pretty cool. Any help would be appreciated.

 

I bit the bullet and bought a complete FJO system from

http://www.iwantperformance.net/2index.htm

It uses the same NTK sensor that techedge's setup does but it also incorporates some nice windows based datalogging software. I've been using a borrowed kit for awhile not and it works really nicely. I guess it is a little pricier than the techedge setup but I'm happy with it.

 

Usually, you get what you pay for. Expect the techedge to be no more accurate than +- .5 A/F ratio. It is based on a reverse engineered econo version of a pro/commercial unit. Shortcuts to A/F ratio sensing were taken. Unfortunately, this affected the accuracy that would normally be possible. The accuracy is more noticeably compromised under circumstances that need it more, that being under boost. The techedge is a pirated version of the DIY-EFI WB O2 sensor controller/signal convertor. Because it uses the same technology/design as the DIY-EFI unit, the accuracy of the two is virtually identical.

 

Arnie,

Your correct. I just compared my WB to the WB on the Dyno and I was a full point off on a seriously boosted 5.0 Mustang. He was running 22 # of boost. My WB was reading about 1 point richer. Im going to try to recalibrate mine to match the local dyno here. If I'm accurate at 14.7 and at 12 to 13 AFR I'd be a happy camper.

Steve

 

No, the sensor is not 100% accurate under the high pressure conditons you might see with a FI motor. My understanding is that this is a limitation of the sensor itself vs. the actual unit. However on NA motors many people have reported the Techedge unit is accurate to within .1 AFR of a "real" WB O2 sensor. Plus even if they do differ who is to say which setup is incorrect? The dyno operator's sensor may be contaminated with lead or just plain worn out. I know many don't replace them as often as they should due to their cost.

Besides even if it is off slightly its much better than trying to tune with stock NB senors.

 

This sensor is used on units that ARE accurate. I'm confident the sensor is NOT the source of the inaccuracy. Looks like we'll need ti agree that we disagree on this one.

However on NA motors many people have reported the Techedge unit is accurate to within .1 AFR of a "real" WB O2 sensor. Plus even if they do differ who is to say which setup is incorrect?

If you believe the unit is accurate, I say go for it.

Besides even if it is off slightly its much better than trying to tune with stock NB senors.

Unquestionably. Won't get an arguement outta me on that one.

Well Steve, looks like that one was off a 'little' more than I was gonna give it credit for. Actually, that is not the first one to read richer than actual. (when used on a FI engine)

My WB was reading about 1 point richer.

That's the sad part about using it to check A/F under boost. If it were to alert you for being overly lean, it wouldn't be so bad. But when you are led to believe things are peachy when in reality, you could be on the verge of frying a piston, to me, it's just not worth the risk. Unless....

Im going to try to recalibrate mine to match the local dyno here. If I'm accurate at 14.7 and at 12 to 13 AFR I'd be a happy camper. Steve

.......unless you are able to make comparisons to a known standard, such as you plan to do. Although, that is easier to accomplish in a NA environment. The idea is to do that B4 doing damage from trusting the accuracy before hand.

 

Looks like you are at least partly correct. The sensor is affected by backpressure however it can be compensated for. The current Techedge units do not do this but their upcoming V2.0 is supposed to in addition to adding support for the Bosch LSU4 sensor. Unfortunately the only info I could find on thid matter comes from TE themselves which you have labeled as 'pirates'

On a side note I realize the design is based of the DIY WB-O2 project but I'm not sure why some people get so riled up about TE repackaging the design and selling it. IMHO they have made suffucient improvements (most notably a real display) that it would be difficult to just call it a clone of the original. Besides not everyone has the time/skill to assemble the DIY kit themselves. Or if they're like me they just didnt want to spend hours hunting for parts at Radio Shack


I dont think its absolutely that accurate under every possible condition. Just close enough to get a semi-accurate indication of whats going on (as opposed reading a NB which is little more than a guess). I was just reporting that some people have found the unit considerably better than the +/- .5 AFR I keep seeing (mostly from people here).

Cheers