NGK/NTK L2H2 Lambda Backpressure Calculator
Accurate
and Durable
We use NGK/NTK L2H2 wideband sensors on
our
Cosworth Pectel SQ6M engine
controllers. Pectel SQ6 and SQ6M controllers are designed for these
sensors as they are the most accurate available. These are five wire
sensors. We use Deutsch DTM six pin connectors with the 6th pin filled
by a dummy wire/contact.
Mounting
The NGK/NTK sensor should be located near
or about 12" from the exhaust valve(s) of the engine on motorcycles and
no futher than 48" on cars. A location further from the engine may be
used as long as it is at least ten times the exhaust pipe diameter
upstream of the end of the exhaust system. For example, with a 2½"
diameter exhaust pipe, the sensor should be at least 25" upstream of
the end of the exhaust.
The problem with locations less than ten
diameters upstream is that reversion air may be trapped in the exhaust
giving leaner than actual readings. This especially occurs at low
exhaust flowrates (i.e. idle). Locating the wideband (UEGO) sensor far
from the
engine exposes the sensor to more liquid water during both start-up and
normal operation and is not recommended.
Short turbo exit dump tubes on race vehicles like our Bonneville Bullet preclude mounting a Lambda sensor so close to atmospheric air. Placing the sensors in each of the Bullett's primary tubes (V-Twin) allows us to trim each cylinder.
Backpressure OEM
OEM vehicles with multiple catalytic
converters and mufflers are all subject to backpressure which is
figured into the million plus lines of code in a modern ECM which may
contain 8000+ modifiers. For most of its engines, GM recommends no more
than 8.62 kPa (1.25 psi) at idle, and no more than 20.68 kPa (3 psi) at
2,000 rpm.
Turbos
NGK/NTK L2H2 Wideband lambda sensors can be installed pre-turbo unlike the Bosch LSU-4.2/4.9 lambda sensors. The NGK NTK wideband sensors are tolerant of leaded and methanol fuels and are rated at higher temperatures than are the Bosch wideband sensors. The operating range is up to 950 Degrees Celsius C or 1742 Degrees Farenheit. Backpressure in the turbo manifold will skew the readings of engine controllers and displays unless compensation tables are built in.
Closed Loop Considerations
Closed
loop Lambda operation should be considered as a "trim function" and not
an overall control strategy. With the SQ6M we tune in Open Loop but we
monitor each cylinder on our V-Twins with the NGK/NTK wideband sensors.
The base fuel map (or maps) have to be correct in Open Loop. In boosted
operation we do not use Closed Loop wide band control beyond very low
boost figures. Logging engine backpressure and monitoring EGT's are all part of the development process.
For tuning you have to figure in
backpressure compensation as the Lambda readings are skewed under boost.
