Wallyman

Looking to get a low cost, gaugeless WBO2 and am looking at the 14point7 Spartan2.. I know a few around here have them, how do you like it? I have an old AEM 30-2301 4.2 based unit for the wife's JRSC car, but need a new unit for the turbo car (which is getting the ME221) since that's where I stole it from.

So, thoughts anyone? For $125 with sensor it seems like a perfect fit assuming it performs long term...

Wallyman

acedeuce802

iTrader: (1)

The Spartan 2 is great. The calibration feature is really nice since it doesn't have a gauge. The one I have experience with doesn't have too many miles on it, but I've heard good things about longevity.

HarryB

Looks like a great product from people that know a thing or two; however lack of digital/CAN output was what turned me away.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

If the price difference was significant I'd probably use it, but at 55 away from the uego x line which has a ton of features, it's just not attractive enough. I've tuned a few cars with these, they work

Wallyman

True, AEM UEGO X is 160 vs Spartan2 for 112 (with the email discount)... the money isn't that big of a deal, probably the biggest thing I don't like though is I don't want a gauge bumming around in the glovebox because I don't want it in the cockpit visible, nor do I really need to see it honestly. My criteria is met with the Spartan2, so spending more for stuff I don't need (and actually is a PITA since it gives me a thing I now have to hide somewhere) isn't worth it unless the AEM is somehow better... but I don't know that it is? Range is same 10-20 AFR.. uses the same sensor.. response time might be the only other thing? If we knew the latency of the units, that could be moot as well, just time shift the log .xx seconds (something I've wondered about looking at my old AEM as I fight with the 221 for lean tip in). I found this post that says 150-200ms latency, which would put it on par with the AEM.

You tuned with Spartan2 or with AEM X?

I did enjoy this article (sadly lacking 14point7 products): https://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/...tout/index.php

18psi

iTrader: (76)

borka

iTrader: (1)

Can the me221 take a digital can input?

I struggled to get a reliable signal from my aem analog output. The gauge would show pig rich 10 ish afr and ms3 will say I'm on target at 11.5 ish.

got a digital can module for ms3 and now all is in sync.

nitrodann

Spartan is good, ive used 10 or 15 without issue. It does everything anyone needs if they have a modern ecu. Latency can be figured out easily with a log and you need to figure out system latency to account for how far down the downpipe the wideband is anyway.

Dann

Wallyman

In case anyone cares - Latency testing (still without a Spartan though):

AEM Electronics Wideband Challenge
and also
https://frontstreet.media/2017/05/01...io-controller/

irodd

iTrader: (4)

Here is Spartan2 review I wrote in 2016. I am still have Spartan2 on two my cars without any problems.

Wallyman

Whelp, finally finishing up the oil leak fixes and put the drivetrain back in, with the new Spartan2 sicne it arrived while the car was apart. I can't get it to read properly, it seems to be stuck just under 5vdc on the WBO2 wire. Red to switched 12v, black to the head where the ECU is grounded (per factor manuals), white heater ground to the chassis by the passenger shock tower, brown not connected, blue not connected, green connected to O2 input to ME221 (same as the AEM was). Any suggestions?

I bought two, so tomorrow I am going to plug in the other sensor and see if the results are the same....otherwise I'm not sure what to look it, it's pretty simplistic (which was the point).

SchmoozerJoe

iTrader: (2)

Remove ME221.

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

+1

Wallyman

Ok, removed an ECU that has nothing to do with the measured voltage (using a volt meter) being put out by the WBO2.. since it still doesn't work, any other ideas?

irodd

iTrader: (4)

perform "bench" test to make sure Spartan is working properly (with external 12VDC 5A power supply) :
+12V to red wire
-12V to black and white wires

measure voltage between green wire and -12V
first 5 second voltage suppose to be 1.333V
next 5 seconds - 3.333V
later - 4.98V

Wallyman

THAT is helpful. I actually sent an email to 14p7 a few hours ago after testing both sensors and controllers (I bought a pair - 1 for the JRSC car with the ME221, the other one for my turbo car which is still sitting on the bench). I saw those exact results with brown (NB) output remaining 0.00 the entire time. But after it never drops below 4.90ish. I know the car is tuned reasonable well, having removed a working LSU 4.2 (AEM box style) so it isn't actually 20:1, so I'm stumped. I just got back from a 15 minute drive, checked again. power up sequence is as you describe, then it just sits at 4.98. Start car, rev, etc.. lowest it goes is 4.90 and it's not jumping around even on tip in (which has a lean stumble, one of the reasons I bought the LSU 4.9 to begin with).

Any other thoughts?

irodd

iTrader: (4)

if you see 1.666/3.333V at start up = Spartan is working properly.
Then check 2 things: your ECU knows to which input sensor connected and sensor calibration.

nitrodann

Do you have en exhaust leak or a broken/grounded wire?

If not perhaps you have a dead sensor.

Dann

Wallyman

No exhaust leaks for sure. Only wires involved are the ones on the Spartan unit, not interfacing to anything except the switched power lead. Just to make sure I'm not crazy, just started the car and added 50% fuel at idle which almost stalls, still reading 19.87:1.

After reconnecting to the ECU, now it's jumping from 1.64v for 4 seconds, then drops to zero, immediately jumps back to 1.64.. repeat.

irodd

iTrader: (4)

looks like you are not alone
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!ca...-2/14Al1NzYuxE