I have been comparing 02 sensors for the 3rd gen. I dont know whats best but I do like the idea of it fitting the stock harness. I have seen the Bosch and the NGK unit. FOr some reason the NGK is called the NTK when refering to 02 sensors but its the same company. The Bosch # is 12016. Thats the exact replacement with no soldering. The NTK I noticed was about 83 bucks for the direct replacement. Anyone ever use the NTK? (NGK). I think I want to try it out. I just got a downpipe so I wanted to change it at the same time and also have a Apex PFC on the way and wanted acurate 02 reading. What do you guys think? How much have you paid for the Bosch direct replacement or universal? By the way the universal # is 11027. This model is probably cheaper and the only difference is the wiring harness isnt going to directly plug into the 3rd gens harness. I got the part #;s right from Boschusa web site. Also I checked the NGK website and the part # for thier 02 sensor is 24019. These are 3rd gen part #'s

 

i got my bosch universal o2 sensor the other day from kragen. It costed 20-something dollars. I looked on the computer screen when the guy brought it up, and noticed that the direct replacement was $180!!! that is alot of money for a little connector.

my understanding is that o2 sensors are pretty much the same (except for wide-band), they are tuned to be very sensitive for stoichiometric a/f ratios. It will tell you if you're 14.7 or 14.8, but it wont tell the difference between 12.5 and 12.0. your engine needs to know the stoichometric ratios during open loop operation (when you are cruising) so that it can make a more efficient gas mixture. But during heavy acceleration, you will want your car to run rich, and the ecu switches to closed loop operation where it takes fuel mixtures from it's preprogrammed map.

bottom line: i think that you should save your money and buy the cheap universal replacement, then take the money you saved and have your car professionally dyno tuned with a wide band o2 sensor

 

Thanks for the tip. If there was a place nearby that could dyno tune my car. NH is desolate.

 

The roads may suck **** but they are twisty and they run up and down mountains. That is the fun part. Get wild with them but be respectfull of the police and they will be cool.
Kevin