Why does Pettit sell a heated O2 sensor? After we add a downpipe and catback due to the increased flow does it still keep the stock O2 sensor hot enough?

Thanks

 

With less restriction, the non-heated O2-sensor will take LONGER to get to the proper operating temperature.

As such, a heated O2-sensor will get there faster.

:-) neil

 

So it's a good upgrade for our cars.

 

Not really...

These heated o2 sensor are aimed to help meet ULEV standard for newer cars...

 

I think anything that gets you into closed loop quicker & keeps you there is a good upgrade. Heated O2 sensor is a good idea. Good for emissions, good for economy and probably good for drivability.

I still think there is a relationship between the O2 sensor not staying hot enough to work in some circumstances and the famous "3,000 rpm hesitation". I have bought the heated O2 but have not installed it yet.

 

Us old school guys know the answer...

It's actually just an oxygen sensor from an '87 Ford Escort. There's 3 wires - power, ground, and signal. Power and ground is just for the heater.

Heated O2 sensors get up to temp much faster. But, the biggie is you can run leaded race gas on a heated sensor. Since it heats up faster, it doesn't foul out like a non-heated sensor will. They aren't perfect with leaded gas - they will still fail eventually, but they will have a MUCH longer life than the non-heated with leaded gas.

You can get one from pretty much any parts store for like $30-40. Hard to say if it's worthwhile on a car that's not planning to see race gas, though.

Dale