I have been trying like mad to figure out why my car runs rich and throws a code 44 ever since I bought it. I've already tried replacing the O2 sensor and that seemed to calm the problem down a tad but did not rectify it.

The current theory I have is the jet performance chip that a PO installed which I will test as soon as I get the new tranny in as I finally manged to get my hands on a stock PROM.

But tonight I stumbled upon a 3 wire O2 sensor on TPI Parts website and the description said something along the lines of, "In order to function properly, an O2 sensor needs to reach at least 600F. Mid or long tube headers can move the O2 sensor further down the exhaust stream thus exposing it to cooler temperatures and causing it to give inaccurate readings."

My car does have Edelbrock tubular headers installed so I was wondering is there actually some truth to this claim or is it all BS and a 3 wire O2 sensor will run no different than a single wire?

 

Heated 02 sensors are superior, I suppose it would cause the ecu to go into closed loop sooner (or open loop I forget which is which). If your headers move the 02 sensor further down I guess heating it would be beneficial.