Simple Wideband o2 sensor question...
 

So I was originally thinking i would drill into my DP and weld my WB o2 sensor bung about 18" from the turbo. However, I was wondering...Would I be able to just use the factory bung (~4.5" downstream of the turbo) and tap the signal wire directly into the wire going to the harness for the ECU? Or would that be too close to the turbo and end up destroying the sensor? :dunno: I've always been told that 18" downstream of the turbo is the optimal place for a WB o2.

Also, theoretically if I find the signal wire from the WB o2 sensor I should be able to wire that directly into where the factory o2 sensor goes, correct? Assuming that I could, does anyone know which wire off hand (which color) the signal wire is from the AEM WB o2 sensor? Any help/input is appreciated! :nod:

Thanks.

4.5" away may shorten the life of the WB 02 sensor. 18" is safer.

You can tap the wire at the existing 02 connector, but you need to make sure you get the right wire, because the 02 heater wire is in that connector and you will not like the effect of sending 12V into the signal wire of your wideband.

Cheers

^ That's what I was thinking. Thanks! :) I think that's too close. I'm just going to remove the DP, drill a hole 18" from the turbo, and weld in the bung. That's the right way, IMO. :icon_tup:

Since removing the DB sucks, I put mine on the cat-pipe before the cat (an inch or 2 from the start of the pipe)
Much easier to remove and reinstall

I have a custom exhaust...full 4" turbo back with v-band clamps. ;) Removing the DP is very easy, and my entire exhaust consists of 2 pieces. (DP + catback) :icon_tup:

I have worked on an FD with the wideband in the factory O2 sensor spot, it worked for a bit then overheated during some tuning runs. IMHO, it's nowhere near a good spot for a wideband.

My wideband is installed at the very end of the downpipe just before it meets the midpipe. There's a good amount of room there between the transmission and tranny tunnel. With the downpipe still on the car mark the spot to make sure you have good clearance then get the bung installed. I had mine done by a local muffler shop, $20 done while I waited and they supplied the bung. I then shipped the downpipe off to get Jet-Hot 2000 coated, good to go there.

Really, with a PFC, you don't need the factory O2 sensor. I turn off O2 feedback, there's zero reason to run it with a PFC. You get IDENTICAL fuel economy as well - I daily drove my FD for quite some time and tested both ways to be certain. My stock O2 sensor hole has a plug screwed into it.

Dale

^ Thanks for the input Dave. :icon_tup: It seems to me that the sensor would overheat if it was that close to the turbo. I'm going to run it toward the end of the DP. :)

Tom, it's recommended to have a wideband 18"-48" away. I prefer to have mine just at the horizontal point by the bellhousing.

Thanks Lance. :) I've already drilled/welded my bung in, near the end of the DP/bell housing. :icon_tup: It's approximately 24" from the turbo...

I thought O2 feedback was required for the lean-cruise function? I can imagine suburban fuel economy not being affected, but have you checked under highway cruising situations? I was logging the stock sensor output the other day and at highway speeds, PFC definitely goes lean (sensor voltage drops to ~0.02) after a few seconds of constant throttle. I might check with O2 feedback disabled during my next logging session..