Has anyone ever converted their single o2 factory senser setup too duel ; one o2 senser on each header. If so whats the process?

 

I wouldn't see a point, maybe I'm just not informed but your computer reads fine from one sensor, what would be the benefit of having two?

 

The ECMs in these cars aren't capable of taking two O2 sensor inputs, so it'd be senseless....unless of course one was a wideband and you were going to run a wideband controller and gauge/logger..

 

the computer only knows half the story with the engine. thats why I wanted to know if 2 were possible. The new cars have 2 or more, although more than 2 I think is usless. Anyone else have any input?

 

It doesn't matter if the computer only knows half the story, because it can't individually control the two halves of the engine anyway.

 

then why not just move the O2 sensor to after the "Y"?

 

An unheated sensor will be too cold there.

 

ya in fact your computer doesnt even use the 02 sensor or not primarily until after the motor gets a bit of temperature in it

 

2 can be used. BUT only 1 is used for the ECM's fueling. DIY-Prom board has some people using 2. 1 for datalogging and 1 for the ECM and datalogging.

 

if youre tracking the other 02 sensor could be helpful to know that if a cylinder goes bad (injector, dead plug w/e) help to pinpoint which side of the motor its coming from

 

The reason new cars have 2 is so that if the cat dies, the one 02 sensor behind the cat sees that and flips the SES code so you can get a new one for emissions. The other 02 sensor on new cars is in the same place as our cars though.

It sounds like a good idea that the computer wouldn't be biased on A/F ratio for each bank if you had an 02 sensor in each exhaust manifold. If one 02 sensor got real dirty it would drag the other's ratio down with it and the car would run crappy, but you wouldn't be able to diagnose it as well without a scanner...

If the numbers were significantly different between each bank, there would be a whole lot wrong with your car, and you'd be able to feel it without the extra 02 sensor.

1 is functional, 2 is overkill and will not make the car more efficient.

19doug90: That seems like a whole lot of extra work and money instead of just a compression/multimeter test

 

Since the subject is still in the air i have a related question. On a wideband setup can you run 2 02 sensors to one guage? On a carbed motor you can tune both sides and it would help to know if both banks are evenly distributed with fuel.

 

You can't tune both sides independently on a carbed engine. Even with a dual-plane intake, you've got 1, 4, 6 and 7 on one side of the carb and 8, 3, 5 and 2 on the other.

 

The v6 thirdgens have an unheated O2 after the Y pipe, at least my 87's did.

 

Some of the newest with dual exhaust have as many as 4 sensors, but there is a reason.
With port injection, and the right ECM, the computer CAN control each bank, some each cylinder, seperately, so monitoring each side can have value, but only if the ECM is capable of using them.
The sensors after the cat are strictly to detect cat failure. Nothing more. Still, the ECM has to have the program and inputs to use them.