checkmate1996

CIS Owners,

I recently installed the Innovate wideband o2 sensor with my new ceramic coated headers. I wish I would have done this years ago. I truly believe this is the only way to dial in a CIS system down to the tenth decimal if you may.

For the uninitiated, CIS is 'mainly' controlled by a single Air/fuel mixture screw. As one of the other rennlisters likes to call it, it's black magic getting it to run smoothly.

Anyway, after replacing all my injectors last year and adding new headers, i went down this path based on other recommendations.

Disclaimer: This section assumes you have consistent spark plug readings and good overall engine performance.

Anyway, after getting installed I quickly realized how out of spec my CIS system was running. I was showing a very LEAN condition(19-21). My spark plugs corroborated the evidence.

It also learned that the A/F mixture is HIGHLY sensitive, I mean HIGHLY. A very, very, slight turn counterclockwise was able to bring me in spec of 14.7 at idle. (This is perfect air fuel combustion efficiency for gas engines). W/o this gauge, there is NO way I would have been able to get this accurate in my CIS tuning efforts.

It was also helpful in showing richness in WOT and cruising speeds as well.

Moral of the story, I highly recommend to anyone who is serious when it comes to tuning CIS systems.

Ducman82

Ya, that was me! Black voodoo magic mon'!

LT Texan

Flying blind without it!

Good goin'

SMTCapeCod

Where did you install the sensor? Is it reading both banks? Is your car without air pump?

medipedicman

Can you suggest a good source? Prices and styles seem to be all over the map?

LT Texan

Mine is a kit from Summit Racing. AEM. Works great. Air pump got lost years ago.

Lizard928

I recommend innovate digital MTX-L

Ducman82

I have the mtx-l as well. Fantastic gauge. I got mine from innovate direct I think,

linderpat

can you post more details, like how/where to install? and then once installed, what to look for?

Ducman82

this is what i have

http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/products/MTXL.php

i installed the sensor in to the exhaust behind the headers, just after the Y. that way i can monitor both banks. at Hot idle i look for 14.7AFR. during cruise i have tuned the car to 17.0ish AFR for the best economy. i am running Mega Squirt EFI so its MUCH easier to work with that that CIS voodoo cauldron of evil.....

LT Texan

17:1?

I get nervous when it touches 16.

I'm on record loving CIS.

Well until I take the leap to MegaSquirt too!

checkmate1996

Ok - Here's what I got.

http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/products/db.php

I got the blue one since it went with the rest of my lighting decor. It's very easy to read.

I'm only measuring one bank, passenger side, so hence the disclaimer that all of your plugs need to be showing a consistent behavior. (Measuring at passenger side header prior to the hi-flo cats - Jake does not have any cats ) Prior to my changing out my fuel injectors, I was seeing some plugs run rich, others lean. I concluded this was do to varying spray patterns and I had no idea when the last ones were changed. That being said, once I changed all those out, my plugs became more consistent in readings.

I sourced mine from amazon for about 160 out the door.

I drilled a 1" diameter hole,( the absolute minimum to get the o2 sensor through) a few inches to the left of the CE panel. I then was able to tuck the innovate LC1 'computer' in between the two mounting brackets of the CE panel with the INNOVATE facing out. I was able to cut the wires to length from that point. Once everything was tested and working, I put a rubber grommet in the 1" hole and then used a bunch of yamabond to seal it up. I also put on two additional layers of split loom around the underneath carriage wiring to prevent the wires from absorbing too much heat from the headers.

No Air pump

real life readings:
Once a/f was was adjusted to 14.7 reading, I then adjusted the idle to about 900 rpms. Also, along time ago I purchased the CIS tool from 928 motorosports. that's very helpful so you can tune with the airbox and tubes in place. This will help get the best readings and adjust best for idle.

Idle: 14.5-15.2
WOT: 12.9-13.2
Cruising (80mph - 3k RPMS - 2.54 gear ratio) - 14.4ish

I've talk to Duckman(Jake) extensively about this and he reads a much leaner 17.0 at cruising speed- however he runs with an ECU - my guess is that the system is better a managing for cruising speeds than the very simple CIS mgmt system.

I'll post some pictures soon showing the whole install.

928Shane

Being able to "see" whats happening is HUGE! Spark plug reading is very lmited, I have a/f on the list and will incorporate it with an exhaust upgrade. Great tool for the CIS systems!

Ducman82

I follow Colin's tuning tips, he runs higher afr for better milage. Has been for a while, no issues.

It's great to see "accurately" how the car behaves. Can even let I know about vacuum leaks or stuck injectors

Lizard928

Checkmate, your numbers are perfect for a CIS car. Dont touch them.

The 17:1 AFR requires a better ignition system with a very strong spark so that you dont get lean misfires but that combined with a higher ignition advance can really help to increase fuel economy.