O2 Sensor Wiring

[32valvZ]

After much wrestling with the o2 sensor jumper I got from Phil... I finally got it in... man this sucked.... wound up getting it clipped together with the harness through the front of the engine cradle... came loose from the keeper.. Then had to get a wire hangar fish it through and pull it back to the rear of the engine... Sure was hard squeezing my arm down between the upped rad hose and AC pressure line... Good grief... well, using a tapped boss on the side of the engine and a stud that used to keep the heat shield for the cat, its all up and in place...Thats enough for one night for this ole man...

Thanks again Phil.

[32valvZ]

Got the headers done and everything wrapped up for now. Put it together without the cats.... Ill need to bring them to an exhaust shop along with a new X pipe to get welded up proper. Sounds really good and I can feel an increase in torque and better throttle response. I have a total of around $850. in it before getting a new X pipe and taking it to the shop to weld it up.

I appreciate everyone's help and suggestions.

[Hib Halverson]

Originally Posted by Paul Workman

Well, w/ all due respect to you, Hib, I beg to differ with that particular GM source to the extent of warning against splicing the pigtails disrupting the function of the sensor.

In their defense, when considering the range of potential DIY'er talent, it is safer for the 'official GM documentation' to avoid the entire question of liability by simply recommending nothing be done to any part of the car except (maybe) changing/adding oil.

That said, when it comes to manipulating the sensor and inserting an extension, anyone with the equipment and ability to solder can do it w/o issues. I know first hand what will and what will not cause the O2 to fail: splicing in a section of wire to extend the length WILL NOT impede the sensor AS LONG AS THE SPLICE DOES NOT IMPEDE THE AIR FLOW WHERE THE WIRES ENTER THE SENSOR.

If you cut the wires leaving enough length so that soldering and shrink wrapping (i.e., weatherproofing) leaves the original wires entering the top of the sensor intact, there's NO PROBLEM. But, close off the wire entry with any kind of sealant or grime and then the sensor will fail. FACT!

NOTE: I extended my pigtails to ~ 18-20" long (passenger side) by splicing in a section between the sensor and the Weather Pack connector, allowing me to relocate the O2 to the side of the SW header collector (for ease of access).

The O2s have been there for 30k+ miles through torrential rains and and snow and survived bottoming out on a muddy hillside. They still work good as the day they were installed. That tiny space between the wires where they enter the O2 sensor is sacred to the O2's survival. If it gets blocked with anything, then the sensor cannot sample the atmosphere (air) which is essential to its operation.

I apologize for posting FSM information. The people at GM who wrote it must have no idea of what DIYs can do in the real world.

Splice away, people.

[32valvZ]

Originally Posted by Hib Halverson

I apologize for posting FSM information. The people at GM who wrote it must have no idea of what DIYs can do in the real world.

Splice away, people.

Hey man, take it easy... I believe Paul was just saying he did it and it worked out for him... and a few guys on the other forum have done the same thing with no issues either.

No one doubts the engineers at GM knew/know their stuff... Its just sometimes the factory doesnt want anything messed with by Joe Public... ESPECIALLY where federal emissions were/are involved.

That said, I also doubt GM would have figured 30 years later there would be a bunch of guys like us swapping parts off for performance necessitating the need for an O2 sensor wire extension anyway....

I respect EVERYONE'S opinion here... yours, Pauls and all the other members.... No one should take offense to anothers opinions or experiences...

For what its worth, I didnt splice it, I used an extension harness and it seems to be ok so far anyway....