Why Response Time Matters
Deadtime is the delay between actual exhaust gas composition changes – and when that change is reported by the O2 sensor. While flow of exhaust gases (transport delay) can affect deadtime, it is not the only source. Often, the sensing element’s response to the gas is the largest contributor to deadtime when an engine is in high
RPM under load.
When tuning an engine using wideband AFR feedback control on an inertia dyno – deadtime affects the data you are looking at, because it is reported in a different operating location than when it ACTUALLY occurred. This means with long deadtimes, whatever changes you make to the base fueling will likely be in the wrong location.This can be particularly dangerous to high-compression and high-boost forced inductionvehicles, and EFI systems that use feedback control to auto tune.
Reducing deadtime improves wideband feedback control, and can provide a safer, more powerful and accurate tune. AEM’s Wideband Controllers with X-Series digital technology can reduce deadtime and improve the performance of your vehicle through more accurate AFR tuning.
For more info and where to buy, visit the AEM website.
