I recently installed heddman headers in my IROC-Z, but I noticed after purchase that the damn things didn't have an O2 sensor plug. I've been running it for about 2 months now without the O2, and so far it hasn't been TOO terribly different, except for maybe slightly worse gas mileage.

I'm curious as to the effects of something like this. I understand the O2 sensor is important for emissions and is considered to be a crucial part of the TPI system. I also know that if I wanted to I could buy an O2 sensor bung and drill a hole in one of the headers, though I don't have a drill, and I would really like to avoid doing that if I could.

And suggestions at all here? Any advice from anyone who has done this before?

 

You're running very rich, and eventually are going to ruin your engine.

The bung has to be welded onto the header collector before the hole is drilled. Do you have a welder the can weld thin materials?

Which Hedman hedders did you install?

 

Yeah. Your gas mileage will go down the crapper.

I was under the impression though that non-heated O2's needed to within 18 inches of the head to heat up properly.....

 

I appreciate the input, and I would like to get this done as quickly as possible. Any one around here have any idea where I could find someone to do this sort of thing? I don't have a welder, and I don't know if I would trust myself with one. It'd be nice to have this done without having to essentially pay for the headers again, too, though my luck seems to point in that direction all the time.

 

Look for an exhaust shop that specializes in performance. Note I did not say "muffler shop". Avoid the chains like the plague.

 

Noted. I'll seek someone out in my area.

 

Another quick question, guys.

I'm about to take the header out to get the bung welded, but I'd like to know something first.

Does it matter which side I have the O2 on? My first instinct is that it shouldn't really matter at all, but since this is a header we're talking about, I really don't want to ruin anything. The reason I ask is because I have my AC deleted there seems to be a lot more room over on the passenger side than the driver side, and even though the wires for the O2 are on the driver's side, I wouldn't mind extending them.

Passenger side O2 would mean easier installation and less headaches for header removal. (I have to detatch the steering column and for the other side) If I don't get a response in a few hours, I'll just go ahead and do the driver's side, but if I can avoid going that route, I'd like to.

Thanks in advance, guys.

 

Put it on whatever side you want.

 

I appreciate the timely reply, I'll get to getting it done now. Thank you very much.

 

Why mess with the headers when you can just buy a collector with the bung in it?
Much easier to install.
Summit or Jegs has them for cheap.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Just as an example.

 

You know, I would suggest getting a heated O2. If you run the stock one most likely you're going to only be able to put it in one header tube. Of course this only applies to longtubes. You didn't specify which you had.