O2 question
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 319
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
O2 question I have had serious problems keeping O2's working on my car since my LT header install. I have the rears simed out. I have been using the Bosch vette O2's on the front. I have been through about 4 sets of these. It seems like every set I use, the life span gets shorter and shorter. The last set was a matter of 15 miles. No exhaust leaks at all and am running full cats.
I have had the code shut off, but what is this doing to my A/F mixture? When the O2's went bad I ran on the rich side. Is there any way to adjust the mixutre without working O2 sensors? I guess I am looking for that little but of lost HP when running rich.
I have had the code shut off, but what is this doing to my A/F mixture? When the O2's went bad I ran on the rich side. Is there any way to adjust the mixutre without working O2 sensors? I guess I am looking for that little but of lost HP when running rich.
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern Michigan
I threw in some NGK front o2's from Summit a few weeks ago, and some o2 sims for the rear and have had no problems. However, I have had problems with Bosch in my Durango and a Camaro I owned before, short lifespan but not 15 miles short.
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Unfortunatly you have fallen victim to the infamous Headers scenario. For some reason, the smart guys that designed the damn headers designed the plugs for the o2's too far away for their proper reading. So they fasly read the exhaust therefor making them lazy and then makes you go through fuel like crazy. I too am having this problem. Alot of people are saying that they had to drill holes in their headers and plant them closer to the motor to get them hoter. I have not even gotten close to doing this, because this is wayyyyyyy outta my league. Frankly, im getting sick of it myself... It has cost me a fair share of money so far.
Some people have had good luck by wrapping the collector with header wrap in hopes to help hold heat inside the piping to get a more consistant reading to the heated o2 sensors. This has happened to many people throughout the years and there is no "one solution". I'd try that and maybe it will help.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 319
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
Well, the fuel consumption isn't what I care about since its not a DD. The only thing I am concerned about is what running that rich all the time is going to do to my engine, not to mention the HP. Is it true that LS1edit or HPtuners can adjust the mixture to lean it out a bit somehow even without the O2's?
My problem isn't so much that the O2s aren't reading its that they go bad on me in a shorter time than I would expect. Is there a certain life expectency that most peopel with LTs are getting on O2 sensors? I guess I can count myself luck that they last longer than 15 miles 
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I had been running SLP headers for the past few years, and at the time, also used the Bosch 13111 sensors in the front, rears tuned out and plugged.
1st year, i burned though the set of 02 sensors, didnt know why.
2nd year same thing.
3rd year, I burned though 2 sets of sensors. Now I'm getting frustrated.
4th year, 2 sets and pissed.
5th year (this year), i've switched to the Densos, hoping for longer life span.
I dont know if they will be any better, but I cant imaged them being worse (in my case). Oh, I've also swapped out the SLP's headers, kooks in there now.
15 miles though, I think you have something else very wrong going on.
1st year, i burned though the set of 02 sensors, didnt know why.
2nd year same thing.
3rd year, I burned though 2 sets of sensors. Now I'm getting frustrated.
4th year, 2 sets and pissed.
5th year (this year), i've switched to the Densos, hoping for longer life span.
I dont know if they will be any better, but I cant imaged them being worse (in my case). Oh, I've also swapped out the SLP's headers, kooks in there now.
15 miles though, I think you have something else very wrong going on.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 623
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From: In your sisters panties
is this just an issue with "cheaper" headers (not saying Hooker is "cheap"). I was thinking about buying Kooks; i don't want these issue tho. Is this issue brand specific, or is it a crap shoot?