Innovate LM-1 or LM-2

gt6boy · Post by **gt6boy** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:22 pm

Hi guys.
MJL running very well currently in my 1969 carb equipped Triumph GT6.
Looking to improve things further by tuning the needle selection for the SU carbs by using Innovate's air fuel ratio meters.
Quick question for those who may be familier with these items, can I run an RPM output from my MJL unit to either the original LM-1(via its bolt-on adaptor?) or the new 'fancy dan' LM-2, so I can record/display both the AFR and the RPM concurrently?

Edit: Whilst the LM-2 has an 'analogue converter cable'- what is that?!? Is it an inductive sensor that clamps around the spark plug lead?

Post by **brentp** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:30 pm

If the LM-1 or LM-2 has a "tach input" feature for measuring RPM, the TACH OUTPUT line of the MJLJ can be fed to this input.

cng1 · Post by **cng1** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:23 pm

The LM-1 requires an add-on to read RPM which is something they thankfully fixed for the LM2.

Have you considered the Techedge widebands? They all have RPM inputs built in and are slightly cheaper than the innovate systems or at least they are here in the UK where you can buy from www.trigger-wheels.com

nickj · Post by **nickj** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:47 am

I've been using Innovate gear for a year or so now. My setup consists of 3 LC-1 (lambdacable) and one DL-32 datalogger. The reason
for having the three LC-1's is to have one wideband sensor per carb. And with the DL-32 I don't need to bring a laptop with me to
gather data.

Using wideband sensors has been very revealing as to selection of needles in the SU carbs, as what conventional wisdom says to use
really isn't that appropriate at all. I can either set the mixture correctly at idle, which then gives a super-lean mixture higher up, or
set it so the mixture higher up is better, but have a very rich mixture lower down. Given the price of needles for the SU carbs (times 3),
it's not something you want to try and fail too much with.

Being able to read each carb helps a lot though, especially in seeing how well synced they are. I had previously set up these carbs
as well as I thought possible, using traditional thinking plus a syncrometer (for airflow) and co-meter. The engine ran strong, with
quite a brutal note under wide open throttle. Hooked up the wideband sensors and I was shocked. The middle carb was about right,
but the front was very very rich and the rear was totally leaned out. But the combined output was about right, as measured at the
tailpipe.... The brutal engine note is now very much more mellow and pleasant, now that things are adjusted a little better.

Forgot to mention... I find my wideband readings to be quite raggedy of nature, there is never a stable reading one would be able
to follow. This may be down to the cams I'm running. When analysing the readings, I have to look at trends and compare data sets
for the carbs to make any sense of it. A handheld unit showing instant readings would be of no use at all to me.

Nick

gt6boy · Post by **gt6boy** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:48 pm

Thanks guys- the trigger wheels items look interesting. I'd like to see these things in the flesh and chat with a sales person if you know what I mean?

Nick- have we spoken elsewhere or in a former life?!? Norwegien triple SU equipped TR6 sounds familier....

I'm very interested to hear of your endeavours. I have triple SU's and I was planning to fit a single sensor into one exhaust downpipe before the 1st 6-3-1 manifold downpipe joint.
After all your endeavours, did you opt for the same needle profile in all three carbs, or was the centre carb different- I understand they run slightly leaner?
I think we need to discuss engine specs and findings! For example, despite all my efforts at balancing with proper meters, the centre carb always draws less(as you'de expect with the firing order), but at idle and just off: the centre piston always rides higher!

AndyGT6 · Post by **AndyGT6** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:37 am

Hi,
I've got an LC1 which has proved invaluable in selecting new needles for my GT6, just got to experiment with damper springs and damper oil viscosities to get my SU's running as best I can.
I've sent you a PM.

Andy

AndyGT6 · Post by **AndyGT6** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:48 am

Hi,
I've got an LC1 which has proved invaluable in selecting new needles for my GT6, just got to experiment with damper springs and damper oil viscosities to get my SU's running as best I can.
I've sent you a PM.

Andy