Innovate Motorsports MTX-L Wideband Air Fuel Ratio Sensor/Controller/Gauge

I have not decided on my wideband air fuel ratio (AFR) or O2/lambda sensor but it will be either the Innovate Motorsports LC-1 or MTX-L. Both use the famed Bosch LSU 4.2 5-wire wideband O2 sensor with similar electronics with the LC-1 having the electronics build into a sealed cable whereas the MTX-L has all the electronics in the gauge itself. I do not really need a separate air fuel ratio gauge with my AIM MXL Strada Icon dash capable of displaying air fuel ratio. The MTX-L is the same as the LC-1 but a couple hundred ringgit cheaper as the LC-1 comes in a kit with its own gauge. Go figure..

A proper wideband is critical for the Slowtra's tune and build as the stock narrow band O2 sensor is next to hopeless being only able to tell whether the a/f ratio is above or beyond stoichometric and does not give accurate readings elsewhere. A wideband on the other hand is good for measuring and deriving accurate air fuel ratios anywhere between 10:1 to 20:1 which is a range all modern engines operate within. MotoIQ has an excellent article explaining how narrow and widebands work.

This write up is on the MTX-L as I had initially decided on it only to be not so sure later. Blame the gauge.
Picture of the MTX-L box. The LC-1's box gives me a sense of déjà vu. All pictures were taken @ GT Auto while I slow stripped the MTX-L from its packaging.

Manual and CD-ROM with the software. Both the LC-1 and MTX-L are capable of datalogging via Innovate's Logworks application.

The Bosch LSU 4.2 5-wire wideband O2 sensor. The LSU 4.2 uses a wideband zirconium-dioxide oxygen sensor. Innovates uses a different approach known as Direct Digital to control its wideband O2 sensors. Innovate claims Direct Digital results in a faster response time and improved accuracy over conventional control methods. If you want to use back your stock ECU and just replace the O2 sensor,  Innovate is capable of simulating the operation of a narrow band O2 sensor. Click here to learn how to.

All the electronics and controls are build into the gauge itself. Innovate provides both a black and white face plate and bezel which are interchangeable. Picture below shows black bezel and black faceplate that comes standard. Takes a couple minutes max to swap faceplates and/or bezels.

The Slowtra's new exhaust and associated snail piping are currently being lovingly fabricated and the decision (on which wideband) will be made in due time.