Final verdict on ZT-2 wideband unit

[Scotth]

So what is the final verdict on the Zeitronix ZT-2 wideband logger? I read that some people really like them and other people have fried them and had trouble with warranty replacement. Are people still liking their units? Seems like the best bang for the buck. I like the compact size of the unit and optional LCD. The LM-1 is too bulky for me.
http://www.zeitronix.com/Products/zt2/zt2.htm

Before I go down the custom software route I better get some reasonable instrumentation installed.

[mike radowski]

Not to go OT but you should check out the pricing on some of the "old style" AEM gauge type WBO2's without the interchangeable faces. The new style caused a pretty good drop in price. I run a Motec PLM, but for a while I had an aem as well. Just for shits I ran both at the same time, and the $250 AEM read identical to the big $$ motec unit.

[Shuasha]

Biggest problem with Zeitronix...

The smart person that designed it uses CAT-5 network cableing to connect the sensor to the box. You can melt the sheathing on the wires with a friggin hair drier let alone a hot exhaust manifold. The "fix" after I melted two of the wires was a "redesigned" one which was the same crap covered in plastic split loom.

That lasted about 2 days before the wires melted inside. I tore the system out and bought an LM-1. No problems since.

[e36'n]

Biggest problem with Zeitronix...

The smart person that designed it uses CAT-5 network cableing to connect the sensor to the box. You can melt the sheathing on the wires with a friggin hair drier let alone a hot exhaust manifold. The "fix" after I melted two of the wires was a "redesigned" one which was the same crap covered in plastic split loom.

That lasted about 2 days before the wires melted inside. I tore the system out and bought an LM-1. No problems since.

Do they still have the problems with the wires melting in the "new" version. I just bought one and am praying I don't have the melting problems. It seems like a great product, although I don't hear too many positives about it. Don't even ask me about their customer service. Just try finding a phone number...

[mike radowski]

I just installed a zeitronics on a customers car and said the same thing about the network cable. Pretty cool unit other than that, although I don't have any durability info to share.

[Scotth]

Not to go OT but you should check out the pricing on some of the "old style" AEM gauge type WBO2's without the interchangeable faces. The new style caused a pretty good drop in price. I run a Motec PLM, but for a while I had an aem as well. Just for shits I ran both at the same time, and the $250 AEM read identical to the big $$ motec unit.
This is definetly an option, but it would be nice to be able to log the data, not just have a display.

[Shuasha]

Do they still have the problems with the wires melting in the "new" version. I just bought one and am praying I don't have the melting problems. It seems like a great product, although I don't hear too many positives about it. Don't even ask me about their customer service. Just try finding a phone number...
They limit support to e-mail. You can't call. The larger problem is that when the wires do melt, they fry the control box. They'll rebuild it for like $30 + $20 for a new cable but it's just plain silly to have to go through that.

I would return it and get something else. If you keep it, get some really good heat shielding.

[e36'n]

They limit support to e-mail. You can't call. The larger problem is that when the wires do melt, they fry the control box. They'll rebuild it for like $30 + $20 for a new cable but it's just plain silly to have to go through that.

I would return it and get something else. If you keep it, get some really good heat shielding.

It was a present from the gf and I kinda picked it out, so hopefully it works. I have this DEI Cool Tape (http://www.designengineering.com/products.asp?m=sp&pid=30) which offers "Up to 1500 degree protection" and also the Thermo Tek Thermo-Sleeve (http://www.thermotec.com/products/full/14005/14005.html) which says on the box that it gives "2000 degrees radiant heat reflection."

I was figuring that I'd just use the thermo-sleeve, but now I might use the tape and sleeve.

Any other idea's?

[Shuasha]

That should be ok. Just don't put it out there bare. :)

[e36'n]

That should be ok. Just don't put it out there bare. :)

Thanks bro.

[mike radowski]

This is definetly an option, but it would be nice to be able to log the data, not just have a display.


All of the AEM widebands output a rs232 serial data stream. Hook up a laptop or something capable of logging serial data and plot w/excel.

[e36'n]

An email from Zeitronix:

We added more protection to the O2 harness about a year ago by adding high
temp wiring loom and added some electrical protection to the Zt-2. However
you do not want to melt the wires. As it says in the instructions, keep the
O2 harness away from any heat sources. Just like a stock wiring in your car
done by your car manufacture. If you look at the wires and harnesses they
are being kept away from the hot parts. You have 2 feet O2 sensor pig tale
made out of very high temperature wire to get away form the exhaust parts.
Simply put if you cannot keep your hand on the surface for 5 seconds do not
place any harness on it.

[Shuasha]

Yeah, I got the same email. Kinda hard to keep it away from heat sources when you're running it to the exhaust!!

Oh, and the "shielding" may be high temp plastic (it isn't), but it doesn't provide any insulation!! They totally missed the point.

MAIN POINT: YOU DON'T USE COMPUTER CABLING IN A CAR!!

I'm not sure what kind of "electrical protection" they added, but it did nothing for me. They really need to redesign it so that if there's a short it won't fry the contoller.

[Shuasha]

Anybody want to buy mine? $120 and it needs to be rebuilt and get a new cable. :)

[trthrrt489]

I bought the ZT-2 and it melted and fried the main unit as well.

I would never buy again. I also have the unit which is "rebuilt" and I never used it again.

[techno550]

perhaps I'm the exception rather than the rule here, but i've had no issues with the zeitronix box. O2 wire runs on the driver side of the car, into the area where the stock O2 wire came from on OBD-1 cars, up along the driver side firewall, across where the rest of the harness goes, and then into the car on the passenger side. All are relatively cool areas. I'd never try running it up the passenger side of the transmission which is were I suspect some of you are running it. I don't care what kind of rubber/plastic is used on the wire, it won't like that. The readings from the sensor may be skewed by excessively hot wires as well.

[Scotth]

I bought the ZT-2 and it melted and fried the main unit as well.

I would never buy again. I also have the unit which is "rebuilt" and I never used it again.
Does your rebuilt unit work? Want to sell it?

[artwar2004]

Check them out - www.wbo2.com, I have one and I think it is good bang for the buck. Useing for more then year and no any problems.

[trthrrt489]

Does your rebuilt unit work? Want to sell it?

Sure! It works great, just don't run it near the exhaust, or try calling for any support:D

I have the EGT sensor as well as a wideband that was used about 1500 miles(no leaded gas)

$250 and it's yours.