I have had the Aeroforce Scan Gauge for 8 years and it is my strong opinion that it is the most useful gauge you can install in your 3800 Fiero (or any OBD 2 performance vehicle).
It is fairly easy to move between vehicles as I have done here to my C5 from my SC Fiero. You can simultaneously scan any two OBD 2 parameters such as (Ignition Timing and Knock Retard) or (Long Term Fuel Trim Bank 1 and Bank 2) (Oxygen Sensor Voltage Bank 1 & 2) etc, --- there are numerous ways to set it up to have the gauge display the info YOU want to see. It can also read and clear Check Engine Lights (DTC's), it is a performance measurement tool (1/4 mile and 0-60MPH) and it can act as a shift light shining two bright RED LED's when you hit whatever RPM you set it for. I set it up so anytime I have any knock retard, the RED LED's light up to get my attention. I absolutely love this gauge and I am pretty sure you will too.
Here is a review of the Aeroforce Interceptor Scan Gauge if you would like to see it in action.
I have also had an Aeroforce Interceptor gauge installed on my 3800 SC for a number of years. I like it but have one issue that I have never managed to resolve. To get it to function properly, I must unplug it from the OBD II connector after startup and then plug it in again. After that it works quite well. If anyone has a solution I would be really pleased to hear suggestions.
Totally agree but know that in a pinch you can pull boost up on the Aeroforce Scan Gauge. I like the analog boost gauge though because of the cool factor !!
------------------ 84/87 NB, 3800SC, E-85, VS Cam, 2.8 Pulley, 4T65E-HD, HP Tuners, AEM Wideband, Regal GS Gauges, S-10 Brake Booster. 1/4 mile -11.85 at 114mph
I have also had an Aeroforce Interceptor gauge installed on my 3800 SC for a number of years. I like it but have one issue that I have never managed to resolve. To get it to function properly, I must unplug it from the OBD II connector after startup and then plug it in again. After that it works quite well. If anyone has a solution I would be really pleased to hear suggestions.
Nelson
Interesting- I always leave mine plugged in and it comes on 15 seconds after I start the car and goes off on its own within a minute of shutting it off. Try your scan gauge in another GM car and see if it does the same thing or now. That will tell youif it is the gauge or if something is up with your 3800 SC wiring..
IMO, the wideband O2 sensor and air fuel gauge is the most important. You go lean on these engines and they won't last long. A scan tool can monitor and show the LTFT's but if the program isn't tuned correctly or working properly, the A/F ratio will give you an idea of the overall fueling as you drive.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
IMO, the wideband O2 sensor and air fuel gauge is the most important. You go lean on these engines and they won't last long. A scan tool can monitor and show the LTFT's but if the program isn't tuned correctly or working properly, the A/F ratio will give you an idea of the overall fueling as you drive.
Thanks for the comment - I agree - WOT air fuel ratios are very important!!
The way I operate, in all honesty - I rarely look at my wideband DURING a WOT pull so I would miss it if it told me my AFR was lean. If the car was on a dyno, looking at the WBO2 sensor would be much easier to do.
Instead, I like to use the annunciator light to come on for any knock - which is going to tell me to LET OFF THE THROTTLE and check it out. Plus, with these engines you can hear even a degree or two of KR - they make a very distinctive sound. I always have my wideband installed when at the strip and review each pass looking at AFR, timing and any knock retard. I do like to have the LTFT's up when driving normal though. The one or two times in my life where I had a fuel pump starting to go bad the LTFTs start to go up as a "canary in the coal mine" indicating there is a bigger problem with the fuel system starting.
When tuning a new setup, I like to have the timing VERY conservative and do short pulls as I sneak up on the tune. Pull from off idle to 3000 RPM, investigate scan, tweak tune, pull from off idle to 3500, investigate scan, tweak tune, pull to 4k , repeat, all the way up to redline.
Just two different approaches to keeping the pistons in one piece I guess...
[This message has been edited by DimeMachine (edited 01-26-2020).]
Thanks for the comment - I agree - WOT air fuel ratios are very important!!
The way I operate, in all honesty - I rarely look at my wideband DURING a WOT pull so I would miss it if it told me my AFR was lean. If the car was on a dyno, looking at the WBO2 sensor would be much easier to do.
Instead, I like to use the annunciator light to come on for any knock - which is going to tell me to LET OFF THE THROTTLE and check it out. Plus, with these engines you can hear even a degree or two of KR - they make a very distinctive sound. I always have my wideband installed when at the strip and review each pass looking at AFR, timing and any knock retard. I do like to have the LTFT's up when driving normal though. The one or two times in my life where I had a fuel pump starting to go bad the LTFTs start to go up as a "canary in the coal mine" indicating there is a bigger problem with the fuel system starting.
When tuning a new setup, I like to have the timing VERY conservative and do short pulls as I sneak up on the tune. Pull from off idle to 3000 RPM, investigate scan, tweak tune, pull from off idle to 3500, investigate scan, tweak tune, pull to 4k , repeat, all the way up to redline.
Just two different approaches to keeping the pistons in one piece I guess...
All of the things you mention are important, especially KR but I regularly do full scans with HP tuners on my laptop while I drive The Aeroforce gauge can be valuable but once dialed in, the WB Air fuel gauge represents my quick check as an accurate indicator of fueling. .
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
