planar vs. thimble O2 sensors
01-04-2010, 09:11 AM
#1
Teching In
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CT
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
planar vs. thimble O2 sensors can you interchange them on Gen III PCM's? Does the PCM really care whether its looking at a planar vs the older thimble style O2 sensors?
My setup:
1999 4.8 engine
2006 5.3 harness
2004 PCM, 4.8/manual tune.
The 1999 4.8 came with case-grounded O2 sensors, which wont work at all because AFAIK all 2003+ Gen III truck/SUV engines used isolated ground sensors. Im running a 2004 PCM so therefore ive narrowed my O2 sensor requirements to ISOLATED GROUND.
In looking up parts on the advance auto website for various 2003-2006 4.8, 5.3 and 6.0 truck/SUV engines, and it shows both being used.
the two available O2 sensors are bosch universal 15730 (non-planar) and 15733 (planar) that go on the 4.8, 5.3, 6.0's. I used those numbers as a reference rather than comparing OEM numbers.
2007 4.8's used a non-planar 15730 upstream sensor and a planar 15733 downstream sensor. 2004 4.8's used 15733 planar sensors in both up and downstream.
4.8 Express vans used 15730 non-planar sensors on the right side up and downstream, but used 15733 planar sensors on the left side up and downstream.
WTF!!!
Then of course all the plugs are different too...BUT. I found one application that has the right OEM plug and is a lot cheaper for some reason. Its from a 2004 Express van, the up and downstream sensors on the RIGHT side, its a non-planar sensor, and its 40 bucks vs the LEFT side up/downstream planar sensors which are 90 bucks????
Supposedly planar sensors heat up faster??? So im guessing (seeing as express, silverado, tahoe, 4.8, 5.3, 6.0 have an endless hodgepodge of sensor configs depending on vehicle) it JUST has something to do with the configuration of the exhaust on the vehicle and NOT the actual calibration in the PCM.....in which case I would be fine using the 2004 4.8 Express van sensors on both sides upstream. Obviously im not using downstream O2's.
so confusing
thanks
Ben
My setup:
1999 4.8 engine
2006 5.3 harness
2004 PCM, 4.8/manual tune.
The 1999 4.8 came with case-grounded O2 sensors, which wont work at all because AFAIK all 2003+ Gen III truck/SUV engines used isolated ground sensors. Im running a 2004 PCM so therefore ive narrowed my O2 sensor requirements to ISOLATED GROUND.
In looking up parts on the advance auto website for various 2003-2006 4.8, 5.3 and 6.0 truck/SUV engines, and it shows both being used.
the two available O2 sensors are bosch universal 15730 (non-planar) and 15733 (planar) that go on the 4.8, 5.3, 6.0's. I used those numbers as a reference rather than comparing OEM numbers.
2007 4.8's used a non-planar 15730 upstream sensor and a planar 15733 downstream sensor. 2004 4.8's used 15733 planar sensors in both up and downstream.
4.8 Express vans used 15730 non-planar sensors on the right side up and downstream, but used 15733 planar sensors on the left side up and downstream.
WTF!!!
Then of course all the plugs are different too...BUT. I found one application that has the right OEM plug and is a lot cheaper for some reason. Its from a 2004 Express van, the up and downstream sensors on the RIGHT side, its a non-planar sensor, and its 40 bucks vs the LEFT side up/downstream planar sensors which are 90 bucks????
Supposedly planar sensors heat up faster??? So im guessing (seeing as express, silverado, tahoe, 4.8, 5.3, 6.0 have an endless hodgepodge of sensor configs depending on vehicle) it JUST has something to do with the configuration of the exhaust on the vehicle and NOT the actual calibration in the PCM.....in which case I would be fine using the 2004 4.8 Express van sensors on both sides upstream. Obviously im not using downstream O2's.
so confusing
thanks
Ben
Last edited by dmaxben; 01-04-2010 at 10:01 AM.
01-06-2010, 04:44 PM
#2
On The Tree
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
At this point I would just run open loop.
The advantages to o2 sensors are nice, but fuel trims are not needed in 95% of the driving that modded cars do. If this is in your dune buggy, then o2 sensors are most likely the last thing you would want to have to worry about.
(my daily driver and race car are both o2 sensor free, other than a wideband in the race car)
The advantages to o2 sensors are nice, but fuel trims are not needed in 95% of the driving that modded cars do. If this is in your dune buggy, then o2 sensors are most likely the last thing you would want to have to worry about.
(my daily driver and race car are both o2 sensor free, other than a wideband in the race car)
