Is my o2 bung for my wideband in a good spot?

[talontsiboy24]

They say the bung should be welded in at a 10 degree angle to get accurate readings does it really have to be? i welded in my bung on the side of my downpipe right in the middle 36" away measuring from the beginning of the dp flange to the o2 bung so should it be fine and still be accurate?

 

[gofer]

The angle they want you to put in the o2 sensor at is just for sensor life not for accuracy, if its at a 10* going into the downpipe then water (condensation) can't collect in the tip of it killing the sensor.

The 36" is exactly where you want it to keep it away from the heat of the turbo and still get an accurate reading. I know some DSM'rs run their WB o2 sensors in the front o2 sensor location and haven't noticed a decrease in sensor life.

 

[burkgonzo]

Im putting that thing in the stock location, its toooo proven not to. Plus to waste time putting an extra bung in.

 

[talontsiboy24]

For accurate readings, the sensor must be mounted before catalytic
converters and/or auxiliary air pumps. To prevent collection of liquids between the
sensor housing and sensor element during the cold start phase, the installation angle
should be inclined at least 10° from horizontal with the electrical connection upwards,
see below.

But i dont have a catalytic converter i have a catless exhaust system but i did install the bung 36" away from the turbo....also i forgot to bring the bung my gauge came with to the shop so they used one they had there is that ok or it has to be the same one in the box?

 

[gofer]

Burkgonzo, you can only run it in the front o2 sensor location if you have dsmlink V3.

Like I said talontsiboy24, the angle of the sensor going into the dp has nothing to do with how accurate your reading is on the WB gauge its to prevent water (condensation) building up in the tip of it and ruining your sensor. o2 sensor threads are universal so your WB will thread in just fine, just use anti-seize compound on it or else you won't be able to get it out of your dp without stripping the threads.

 

[romeen]

Burkgonzo, you can only run it in the front o2 sensor location if you have dsmlink V3.

I'm not sure about other sensors but my PLX has two separate analog outputs, one for the wideband signal and the other to simulate the narrow band signal. So you can replace the front O2 sensor but still have a narrow band signal to the ECU to keep it happy and have a wideband signal for logging purposes.

Keep in mind that the stock narrow band sensor has more "resolution" right around stoich so theoretically it should be more accurate than the wideband during closed loop and for dialing in fuel trims (for those still on the stock ECU).

But as gofer said, PLX and I believe the others don't recommend placing it that close to the turbo. I placed mine right before the flex section (no cat). It's still closer than recommended but I have read several posts of leaking flex sections causing inaccurate readings.

 

[talontsiboy24]

I'm not sure about other sensors but my PLX has two separate analog outputs, one for the wideband signal and the other to simulate the narrow band signal. So you can replace the front O2 sensor but still have a narrow band signal to the ECU to keep it happy and have a wideband signal for logging purposes.

Keep in mind that the stock narrow band sensor has more "resolution" right around stoich so theoretically it should be more accurate than the wideband during closed loop and for dialing in fuel trims (for those still on the stock ECU).

But as gofer said, PLX and I believe the others don't recommend placing it that close to the turbo. I placed mine right before the flex section (no cat). It's still closer than recommended but I have read several posts of leaking flex sections causing inaccurate readings.

well i was gonna put mine right before the flex section but the shops out here said that its to close and to have it at least 36" away because it would read too much i dunno how a flex section would leak?

 

[gofer]

You can't listen to shop mechanics (unless its STM, RRE, BR, Shep, Lucas English, etc. etc.) and their opinions about stuff, because in reality how many Meineke employees have actually been there done that its all hear say. Theres a lot of 1g owners running dsmlink and have their o2 WB sensor IN the o2 housing about 2" down stream from the turbo. The heat hasn't effected the o2 sensor one bit AND they see the AFR change on their gauge the INSTANT that it happens.

The flex section of your exhaust is to allow for motor vibration and car roll without cracking welds in the exhaust itself. They do leak after a few years of use, all of them... BR makes a downpipe for DSM's that uses NO flex section to prevent from exhaust leaks. You can seafoam your car and see if your getting an exhaust leak at the flex, it wouldn't be that big of a deal but it will throw off your WB readings if its after the flex.

 

[talontsiboy24]

You can't listen to shop mechanics (unless its STM, RRE, BR, Shep, Lucas English, etc. etc.) and their opinions about stuff, because in reality how many Meineke employees have actually been there done that its all hear say. Theres a lot of 1g owners running dsmlink and have their o2 WB sensor IN the o2 housing about 2" down stream from the turbo. The heat hasn't effected the o2 sensor one bit AND they see the AFR change on their gauge the INSTANT that it happens.

The flex section of your exhaust is to allow for motor vibration and car roll without cracking welds in the exhaust itself. They do leak after a few years of use, all of them... BR makes a downpipe for DSM's that uses NO flex section to prevent from exhaust leaks. You can seafoam your car and see if your getting an exhaust leak at the flex, it wouldn't be that big of a deal but it will throw off your WB readings if its after the flex.

well br doesnt make a 1g dp without a flex on it i just checked i just installed a brand new megan racing dp 3 days ago so it shouldnt leak that fast. even says on the aem instructions at least 36" away or more plus im not using dsmlink just have a chip in it.

 

[1995gsx20g]

if your worried about running a wideband in the front o2 location they make a universal heatsink for it

Wideband O2 Sensor Heatsink [FST-O2HT] - $12.00 : Tuner-Deals.com, Engine Management Systems and Accessories

 

[gofer]

well br doesnt make a 1g dp without a flex on it i just checked i just installed a brand new megan racing dp 3 days ago so it shouldnt leak that fast. even says on the aem instructions at least 36" away or more plus im not using dsmlink just have a chip in it.

I'm not trying to stir anything up, you asked if your WB o2 sensor is in a good spot. AEM says 36" downstream and at a 10* angle and on your car you installed it 36" downstream and at an angle, your good to go.

We're simply letting you know that if your flex section happens to leak that your WB reading WILL be off. BR will sell you a downpipe with no flex section, you've got to call them to order it. For now and the next year your dp flex will more than likely be fine but I'd check it every so often to make sure.

 

[talontsiboy24]

I'm not trying to stir anything up, you asked if your WB o2 sensor is in a good spot. AEM says 36" downstream and at a 10* angle and on your car you installed it 36" downstream and at an angle, your good to go.

We're simply letting you know that if your flex section happens to leak that your WB reading WILL be off. BR will sell you a downpipe with no flex section, you've got to call them to order it. For now and the next year your dp flex will more than likely be fine but I'd check it every so often to make sure.

understood. what if my manifold or o2 housing is leaking will it throw my wideband off since i have it 36" away?

 

[gofer]

Any exhaust leak pre WB o2 sensor will show a false WB reading...

 

[talontsiboy24]

Any exhaust leak pre WB o2 sensor will show a false WB reading...

what other things can throw the wb off besides exhaust leaks?

 

[toofast82]

Im putting that thing in the stock location, its toooo proven not to. Plus to waste time putting an extra bung in.

I ruined a brand new sensor and the LC-1 controller itself in a week of doing this. Then I had to wait about 2-3wks to get a new one from innovate who had top notch customer service btw.

After I drilled a hole and welded a bung further back, i never had another issue

I myself figured i'd try it in the stock location after I read many people saying they've had no issues.


To the OP, Sounds like you have it in a decent position. As long as its the 36" from the turbine exit and angled decently there shouldn't be any issues. Also as said, any pre-sensor exhaust leaks will give innacurate readings.

 

[talontsiboy24]

I ruined a brand new sensor and the LC-1 controller itself in a week of doing this. Then I had to wait about 2-3wks to get a new one from innovate who had top notch customer service btw.

After I drilled a hole and welded a bung further back, i never had another issue

I myself figured i'd try it in the stock location after I read many people saying they've had no issues.


To the OP, Sounds like you have it in a decent position. As long as its the 36" from the turbine exit and angled decently there shouldn't be any issues. Also as said, any pre-sensor exhaust leaks will give innacurate readings.

yea im just goin by what aem says to do and shops at least 36" away...as for angle my bung is welded on the left side of my downpipe in the middle so i hope it will be ok there but now im worried condensation on the sensor on cold nights aem says the wires should be upwards so i dunno...