Innovate LM-1.. Is it worth it???

[onefastmustang]

I am thinking about buying the LM-1 from innovate motorsports.. Is it worth the dough?? Or is there another product that would as good or better??

[Clois Harlan]

I had to google the part since I am a carburated guy and didn't know what you were talking about. However, given the cost of everything else on these hot rods the price for the LM-1 seems fairly reasonable. According to some other blogs I read it gives you real time analysis of several critical tuning points including your air fuel mixture.


Go for it!


Clois

[69 Mach I]

alternatives include the wideband commander www.widebandcommander.com
and a new wide band kit from Autometer, which I am getting only because it matches the rest of my gauges.

Is it worth it? It depends. How much have you invested in your engine? If you are running too lean you want to correct that sooner rather than later or else you run the risk of seriously shortening your engine's life span. Running too rich is not healthy either.

[wtm442]

I also want to buy an AFR meter. The two that I am interested in are the LM-1 and the DynoJet Wideband Commander.

Two other ones that I found were from FJO Racing and Speed Pro.

I saw a couple of comments on other web sites regarding the O2 sensor, and the consensus was that the Bosch unit was very good.

[Curt C.]

I have one from PLX devices . You can get a base unit plus a gauge for something like $269. You want the DM 5 Combo or a M 250 if they still sell it. Much smaller than the Innovate piece. It seems to me that the Innovate piece is more geared to temporary installations and is larger than the PLX piece. Here is the link

http://www.plxdevices.com/cgi-bin/sh...ategory%3DIMFD

Edit: Definitely worth it. Makes carb tuning a heck of lot easier.

[Loadco]

I have had one for almost 2 years (the LM-1). Some of the best money I have ever spent. They also have a great web site with a forum to ask questions. It is an absolute necessity if you really want to tune your carbs correctly.

[Curt C.]

The one knock that I do have is that most, including PLX, only have one o2 sensor and thus only read one bank on cars with a true dual exhaust. Fast is now making a set up for a dual exhaust, but it is much more expensive.

[cleandan]

onefastmustang, I have an LM-1 wide band O2 meter. I purchased the meter and O2 sensor only so I have the minimum "kit". I sometimes wish I had the tach adaptor just to verify my in car tach. Anyway, the LM-1 is a great tool. It comes with usable instructions. It is easy to install and remove. The O2 sensor (Bosch) is available at most auto parts stores should it go bad. The readout on the meter is large enough to be read while driving without serious driving distraction. In my mind this has been a very good purchase, mostly because I have three carbed vehicles to tune. I know a fair amount about carb tuning, but the LM-1 has proven much of what has been theory up to this point. You can verify how the vehicle drives, feels, sounds, at precise A/F levels. This has made my seat of the pants tuning MUCH better for other friends who now want my ability to tune a carb better than they can. The added plus comes from getting the carb, and timing, just right and proving it. I'll bet your carb is running just fine, but after you tune with an LM-1 you may be suprised how much better it runs when tuned just right. The LM-1 costs about as much as one chassis dyno session at a shop with an operator who actually knows how to tune (rare to find) If you are able to learn how to tune with the LM-1 you will soon be happy at the purchase.

[onefastmustang]

Thanks guys.. I picked one up online.. Should be here Tuesday.. I ordered the exhaust clamp as well. I may get the auxbox but not til I clear it with the CFO.. ;>)

[Loadco]

I purchased the LM-1 with the exhaust clamp and the LMA-2 RPM converter (the autobox was not available 2 years ago). The clamp works great on a Cobra's side pipes. I use the LMA-2 to log RPM and I also have a MAP sensor hooked up to log vacuum. One of these day I'm going to build a bracket to allow me to mount a TPS sensor on the carb and monitor throttle position as well. I think it wold also be advantageous to figure out a way to monitor secondary throttle opening on vacuum secondary carbs. The trick will be finding something to monitor that without adding resistance to the linkage.

The best part of this system is the software that is provided (logworks). Rather than trying to look at the LM-1 while driving simply use it to record the results and download them to you computer. The software provides the results in graphic and analog gauge forms that are easy to set up and read. Once you master this thing you will never tune without one again. Again, some of the best money I've ever spent.

I put a screen shot of the logworks software in my gallery. It is a run in 2nd gear from 3,000rpm to 6,400rpm. The 3 imputs displayed ate AFR, RPM and Manifold Vacuum.