chrisdicko

iTrader: (21)

Just wondering really what people think are the most important bits and bobs to keep the engine safe?

I will be fitting some gauges tomorrow which includes Oil Temp and Pressure, as I feel these are very important.

Do people think Knock Gauges are very well worth getting as well, incase you put some crap fuel etc in?

Air/Fuel ration gauges maybe?


What are peoples opinions?


Mine is a 2003 Blob STi

Ian

iTrader: (10)

oil pressure
oil temp
water temp
air temp
charge temp
boost
knock link

is what i have in mine.

would like a exhaust temp, or wide band one day

chrisdicko

iTrader: (21)

Would you see them as critical/must have's really?

I'd have thought knock would be able say charge if you prioritised them?

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

I use oil temp, oil pressure and boost to keep an eye on things

I also have a knock link but since Bob rawle mapped it only the pale green "on" light shines LOL.

Shaun

PS If you want to have a look at extra information think about a used SECS guage. However for things that move (like boost) a real guage is easier to read.

chrisdicko

iTrader: (21)

I've got some Defi Oil Temp, Pressure and Boost gauges to go on tomorrow, and have an Apexi AVC-R installed too.

I had my car remapped yesterday, and just don't want it to break...so wouldn't mind keeping an eye on things. So thought maybe knock sensor. Although JGM said the engine/ecu is good at protecting it's against knock. Although he did say a knock sensor wouldn't hurt!

Are the SECS gauge the DIN side thing which has loads of info etc on?

mit

iTrader: (10)

Personally, the oil temp is the most important, especially on a modded car. Lets you know when the your ready to drive harder.
The oil pressure has mixed opinions, some say by the time you see the oil pressure drop off, the damage is done, especially as your not watching it all the time. I have one anyway, just in case!
Boost is nice, good for seeing faults like lack or excessive boost.
I quite fancy a charge temp gauge.

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

AVCR controls the boost so the ECU can't reduce the boost if it think's there is a problem......You have to rely on JGM mapping skills instead of guages... not a bad thing LOL

Shaun

dunx

iTrader: (3)

I can recommend the Phormula KS-3, not cheap, by the JGM said if I set the warn level to 50 that would equate to knock at a level he could hear through the cans.

I have set mine to 35 as a warning level, and it's hit 37 once, last Thursday.... also got an EGT warn at 830 degrees.... Simon suggested 900 is a decent level to set that to so escaped so far.

HTH

dunx

chrisdicko

iTrader: (21)

I was wanting a Knock Sensor just for when I go on my hols and might put some ****e fuel in....then at least I'd know to take it easy etc.

Dunx, what the EGT? What does it do?

rossi_p

iTrader: (26)

Knock sensor (Phormula KS-3) would be the main one.

ACT (RB Motorsport) would be the second most important if you have a tmic.

Oil temp would be also be a main one to tell you to back off/short shift if temps are too hot.

AFR (wideband) is another important one as can tell you if you're running lean and can result in det... or rich causing bore wash.

All of these would provide warnings to back off before damage is done.

EGT is exhaust gas temperature. This is really only an issue for track cars and high boost cars where EGT's can get to over 900 deg C. In this instance, standard exhaust valves can melt. If you have inconel exhaust valves fitted, then this isn't a problem.

Boost is important to watch out for boost spikes, which can cuase det.. but if you have a det monitor then this isn't so much of an issue. A boost gauge is more important for tuning purposes but most people get one because they look good.

Oil pressure is a nice one to have, but usually, if pressure if too low, most of the damage would already have been done and the engiine will be coming apart anyway.

Water temp is a useful one to tell you to shut off as the main engine temp gauge is a little slow.

Fuel pressure is only really useful for measuring fuel surge or fuel pump failure. But then you will know about that when it happens anyway.

They all have their place. But I would say a KS-3 is the single most important one to keep your engine safe.

chrisdicko

iTrader: (21)

Thanks for that rossi, very detailed and helpful!

Sorry to sound thick though, but isn't the Knock Sensor doing the same job as the AFR? (sort of)

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Back from work....

As stated EGT is useful for track/high boost use, your next step ?
Mine only took 5 minutes of abuse to reach 830 degrees, but the weather has been warm for once.

I got a shock the other night as I popped onto the rev limiter, and the knock system went crazy

Never really rev mine that high in road use, but the sun was out for once.

With Defi's, having boost and fuel you can run in differential mode, this shows the difference between boost and fuel pressure. Any dip at all and the alarm sounds and you can save your engine, mine starves once the orange fuel light is on, but hadn't realised how low the fuel pressure drops before the engine cuts out

dunx

P.S. AFR gauge is about the same price...

Semper

Knock monitors engine noise (caused by various things dodgy fuel, warm air etc etc, see knock, detonation, pre ignition). AFR monitors air fuel ratio (lean, stoich, rich).

cossie-nutter

iTrader: (45)

IMHO I think this is the best set up!


Wideband Air/Fuel Ratio
knock link
ACT Gauge
oil pressure
oil temp
boost

chrisdicko

iTrader: (21)

Cheers guys.


Does the wrong Air/Fuel ratio then not go on to cause knock/Det?

Why is ACT important? (over others)

Semper

Ideally you see it before any knock occurs. Running lean will cause excessive heat and in my case kill ringlands. Running TOO rich causes bore wash.

IMO Both equally important guages, but I'm nuts

chrisdicko

iTrader: (21)

I see, so in the sense of knock in relation to Air/Fuel, the damage probably has been done when you hear the knock if it's Air/Fuel related.

Semper

I just wouldn't want my car running lean...however lean, whether it causes any "knock" noises. And best way to keep an eye on it is a wideband sensor/gauge.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Knock/det is not just side effect of running lean.

Det can also be caused by running too much boost, low grade fuel and not enough ignition retard...the AFR can be ok and it can still det.

Semper

And you can get long term, dangerous leanness without your knocklink showing anything. It's just a microphone on your engine block/manifold.

chrisdicko

iTrader: (21)

Cool, thanks a lot guys!!

Think I might need to go for a Knock Sensor and AFR Gauge then perhaps!

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Knock sensor is an easy fit.
AFR needs a bung out of your exhaust, if you have one.... if not, then it gets messy !

dunx

SunnySideUp

What do I think are the most important?

1. Regular Oil Changes with 10W/40 Semi at £15 for 5 Litres.

2. Driven with sympathy and skillfully.

3. Check water and oil each weekend.

If your car is standard then all the Kocklinks and gauges are only of use to you if you want to impress the 13 year old chavs in MacDonalds Car Park on a Friday night - real enthusiasts are not taken in by flashing lights and flicking gauges.

Just my opinion

chrisdicko

iTrader: (21)

It's running 430bhp, so not too standard. I change the oil every 6 months with fully 10/40.

SunnySideUp

In that case the cockpit should look like this .....

http://www.crunchgear.com/wp-content...huttlehuge.jpg



Seriously, if you can drive, your ears work and you are tuned in to your car you need very little except that to impress the girlfriend and your mates