wide band sensor question

[stevetford]

I am looking at some of the DIY wide band O2 kits that use the Honda wide band sensor. I have seen some post here where people are saying that the wide band O2 sensor is not designed to stay in the exhaust system because the heat will kill it. My guess is this is not true with the Honda sensor or Honda owners will be relacing the sensor all the time.
Well, my question is where should I install the sensor. I am thinking either before or after the flex section in the down pipe. But is there going to be enough heat to give a proper signal? Obviously I know very little about the wide band sensors so if anyone has any advice please let me hear it. Thanks guys.

Steve

 

[FastRthenU]

you dont want to put the sensor after the cat. The whole point of the cat is to burn un used fuel, hydro carbons etc. SO if you were to put it there i cant see acually getting a proper reading. So I would put it about in the middle of the down pipe. or a little closer to the cat. Remeber the cat also get really hot.

 

[Hal]

The sensor used by the DIY kit was originally intended for a lean burn honda.

It will last easily 60k miles unless you feed it leaded fuel.

The best location is in the down pipe, ahead of the cat.

Hal

 

[stevetford]

Thanks for the input guys. I know better than to install the sensor after the cat(btw:no cat on my car), what I was refering to was the flex section in the down pipe. I was not sure if just before the flex section would be too close or just after the flex would be too far.
Hal, i do plan to run leaded fuel at the track. Would it be best to remove the sensor and just tune the car by the egt readings?
Thanks again for the help you two.

Steve

 

[Hal]

Occasional leaded use will degrade the life of the sensor, but as long as you consider it a "consumable" it's no big deal. It should last just as long as a stock sensor under the same conditions.

Personally... if you're serious enough to invest in a wideband, then the cost of killing the sensor with leaded gas is "chump change".

Hal

 

[stevetford]

Hal,
Good point. I am not worried about replacing the sensor, just don't want to have to do it after every night at the track because that could get expensive. On the other hand, I may be able to get wide band sensors for a decent price, just not sure yet. There will be a few (around 2000) 2003 Hyundai Elantra's equiped with a lean burn engine just like the Honda. I work at a Hyundai dealership and can get them for dealer price when they become avaliable. We shall see. But for now I guess it is the Honda part.

Steve

 

[FastRthenU]

My bad. i mis read the thread. i thought you said cat. sorry