Is running a wideband for simple mods like TBE, intake, MBC and BOV nessacery? Or can all the tuning and A/F be sorted out with a flash. I'm running wideband on my boosted mirage but that was originally N/A so it has extensive mods and the tune/A/F ratio is much different from stock. I just wasn't sure if a wideband is a must for simple bolt on's on the EVO. As long as I'm running a nice 10:1-11:1 A/F at WOT I'll be happy. I want to keep it pretty rich because I want to use the car for tracks and not just 11-13 seconds down a 1/4 strip

 

Necessary? Well, that depends. When tuning, I'd say yes because you want to know if the engine is getting the right amount of fuel. Once tuning is done, it's not "necessary" to have a wideband installed except as a safety measure. Even then, you have to keep watching the gauge and react when things go awry (typically too lean).

 

For tuning yes, but yeah I was wondering for after the tune. I've been thinking more and more that I might as well just install one. I have one on the Mirage but again that ws a very extensive tune. I just wasn't sure with such a small tune like the EVO will be getting if the Wideband will really be worth it.

But you answered my question for the most part Innovates aren't too expensive and thats what I run in the Mirage. I may pick on up

 

Get a wideband as power mods are addicting and simple mods only last for so long before the hunger for more power grows.

 

I don't have any trouble tuning by NB02 but a WB02 is nice to make absolutely sure you're where you want to be.

 

I guess since I first got the Evo everyone told me from day one get a Wideband if you plan to do more them basic mods. After a tune yes all should run well but you never know when fuelpump or a line goes bad and you might not know something is wrong till it's too late... Wideband helps if you learn to keep an eye on it when something doesnt feel right..... aleast for me

for 200+$ could save you alot more in the long run.

 

good points

 

No one should be tuning with a narrowband. The technology is 10-15 years old when it is applied to tuning cars. This is because they used to cost $15000-30,000 at that time.

 

Narrowband is just for looks...I should know.

 

When I bought the car it had a cheapo narrowband it it. It's obnoxious. But I don't remove it because I don't want an empty pillar gauge holder

I'll end up getting a wieband after my TBE, filter kit and tune.

 

plus the blinky lights are cool

 

why cant we tune using just a narrowband o2 sensor? I thought the only reason a wideband is better is because it gives more data per second? Whats the difference?

 

^^ THATS A GOOD QUESTION.. I would like to know as well.. I personally have the wideband for safety and tuning.. after a couple mods.. I say its a must have..! things have a higher possibility to tend and get out of place once modified from its original form..

 

a few thoughts:

NB02 has a low 0-1 resolution so slight fluctuations in AFR will not show up
WB02 has a high 10-20 resolution so you can see exactly what's going on.. I can even detect misfires with the Innovate LM-1, it's that fast.

NB02 don't have a heater and require hot exhaust temps to get them to read correctly
WB02 have a built in heater to keep them at the right temps.

NB02 cycle back and forth from 0-1 (roughly) when you're "stoich" at idle and cruise which makes it difficult to see exactly what the AFR is.
WB02 will give you the exact AFR, no cycling.

that being said, I still don't have much trouble tuning by NB02, there's an art to it and a few tricks to get the readings more consistent for tuning. If you have the choice, get a WB02, it's superior in every way and relatively inexpensive these days.

 

Owners spend $35,000 on a car with another $5000-10,000 in modifications. Why would you risk your engine to save a few bucks on a wideband or allow someone tune your engine with a narrowband O2 sensor designed to trim cruising fuel trims and not WOT?