I finally have the 540 in and running and it's time to tune it. I had 18mm bungs welded into the collectors for O2 sensors.

Is there a system that will work with 114 / 116 race fuel?

Which system to get?

Worth it? Useful?

The O2 sensors will be life limited with leaded fuel, ni idea if it is 10 hours or four hundred hours before failing

I ran leaded for a couple of years and now 100 unleaded and it`s still goin strong but I still look at the plugs for a final say on the tune up.
I use a single O2 sensor Innovate system but will step up to the dual deal eventually.

Is the gage worth the $200 in so far as giving useful data that can be believed? Transients like accels?

With my RMVB 727 I am stuck in high gear at the end of the run so I can't really read plugs that well.

I get 10+ hours, less if rich, out of my O2 sensors on the dyno. I have a pile of them that won't read correctly, which is what happens when they get lead fouled.
If you have a data record capability, you can really fine tune your tune up.

NTK sensors last WAY longer than Bosch...........but cost more

Monte

Maybe this is a continuation of the same carb / diff engine deal. I finally got mufflers put on and drove the Demon 540 down my street making pulls to seat in the rings. It is not near as clean / crisp as it was when the same carb was on the 499. May be plug wires, timing, the dents in the header tubes I had to make, who knows. It would be nice to ensure it isn't too lean cause I sure as H couldn't hear any pinging. Exhaust is nice and clean so far. Gonna dial in some more timing, check the valves, and take it to the track tonight for a little TnT. May be able to color the plugs then.

So if the lead (and other stuff) in race gas fouls sensors, how do guys run EFI with closed loop?

Why not EGT sensors? I have seen similar results as the O2 with a little patience and no lead fouling problems. Tim

I found an Autometer gage that matches the other 2 5/8 analog gages so I will go with that for now. It will help get in the ball park and help keep me from running too lean.

If I had the data system working (it was the now unsupported racepak from back in the day) I could run 8 EGTs, as the 499 had them on those wonderful headers.

I recommend something that logs, either to a card or a lap top. I have a LM-2 and always log when making changes, after I down load each pass I add notes to the log, jets, air bleeds and such. That way I can look back and see the effect of my changes from session to session.

Way better to look at that information at home in the driveway than trying to look at the gauge in traffic at WOT or cruiseing

EGTs are great BUT you have to read the plugs also..
since your looking at temps you can go the wrong way
and think its coming around... now days I use the EGTs
to balance intakes... I use a LM-1 but I havent got the
data/rpm set up... so I use a video to act as a data logger

An EGT number, is just that, a number. You can't tune by them, because there is no "magic" number on gasoline. All they can tell you is if the cylinders are equal. I have stuff that cleans clean as a whistle at 1600 and I have seen stuff burned to the ground at 1200. It's just a number

Monte

First thing I need to do is get a proper set of headers put on. Those 2 1/8 step Proparts that I had to put dents in some tubes to clear stuff are just not cutting it. Blew a laminated ex gasket at 6000 making a pull last weekend. The car won't get out of it's own way and the headers are a big reason.

Monte, who makes good headers around our area? I have the wonderful tubes that were on the 499 as a go-by, but they were on a short deck with B1s.

Chris Terry Race Cars.........Out here close to where I live

Monte