Wideband O2 Sensor Direct Replacement?

[Victory Red RS]

Just got an Aeroforce gauge and want it to read AFR. I know the gauge supports this and I believe that our ECU also does. Has anyone swapped out the O2 sensor (upstream?) with a wideband one that will plug into the existing harness?

 

[rodslinger]

Not sure how well this will work but could be considered....

I have an AEM Wideband failsafe gauge in my Mazda like the one at the link below.
Wideband Failsafe Gauge

This unit comes with its own sensor and apparently has the ability to output a simulated narrowband signal based on the actual wideband input data. I'm not using the narrowband data since my car already has a factory windeband sensor so I can't comment on how well or if it would work at all. But without trying to modify the existing ECU, this may be the next best path to take.

There are other features this gauge has like changing or flashing the display if the A/F ratio gets outside a specific limit under certain boost conditions. It can also output a 12v+ or ground under certain A/F and/or boost conditions to trigger a failsafe. Such as getting too lean under boost.

It has worked very well for me and it can datalog also.

 

[ScarabEpic22]

No, I wouldnt trust a simulated NBO2 output. It's probably ok for an aftermarket/older ECUs, but the factory GM ECM looks for specific resistance to perform the diagnostic tests. Feel free to try, but I'd put money on it ending up being a huge headache. I tried this with my 02 TrailBlazer and it failed miserably which is why I suggest just adding the WBO2 on separately.

Buy a $5 oxygen sensor bung (if your WBO2 doesnt already come with 1, most do) and have it welded in. You're going to have to run the WBO2 wiring harness anyway, much easier to just leave all the factory things in place and use the WBO2 as an add-on. My .02.

 

[Victory Red RS]

After some reading you are correct Scarab. However that's a $300 to $400 investment I am not sure I am ready to make right now. Could buy an O2 pipe with the bung already welded in but am not sure how to tune for it. I have HPT so I could but... anyone know how to tune for it???

 

[Scot]

After some reading you are correct Scarab. However that's a $300 to $400 investment I am not sure I am ready to make right now. Could buy an O2 pipe with the bung already welded in but am not sure how to tune for it. I have HPT so I could but... anyone know how to tune for it???

Dude, wait. What?

What is a $300 - $400 investment? Getting a bung welded in? Where are you located? I'll put one in for free.

- and tune for what? a WBO2? WBO2 is only for tuning feedback.


Also - our ECU does NOT support a WBO2 input for the fuel control.

 

[Victory Red RS]

Dude, wait. What?

What is a $300 - $400 investment? Getting a bung welded in? Where are you located? I'll put one in for free.

- and tune for what? a WBO2? WBO2 is only for tuning feedback.


Also - our ECU does NOT support a WBO2 input for the fuel control.

I'd hoped you'd chime in Scot. $200+ for a gauge and or $200+ for an O2 pipe. I'm not sure what a local shop would charge to weld one in plus Aeroforce seemed to have a very specific location where that should be welded in. I can read commanded AFR but wanted to see actual for tuning.
Too bad about the ECU, would have made life much easier.

Thanks!

 

[Larrymer]

You can buy a brand new wideband with gauge for ~$150 and you don't really NEED a special pipe to add a wideband to the exhaust, just the bung. Any exhaust shop would probably do it for about $20. They drill a hole and weld in a bung, it's not rocket surgery.

If you don't know how to tune for it, then there's no point in getting one really (unless you're going to learn). Otherwise just take your car and HPTuners to whatever dyno of your choosing and let them hook up their wideband and do the tuning for you. Then at least you don't have to buy one.

 

[Victory Red RS]

You can buy a brand new wideband with gauge for ~$150 and you don't really NEED a special pipe to add a wideband to the exhaust, just the bung. Any exhaust shop would probably do it for about $20. They drill a hole and weld in a bung, it's not rocket surgery.

If you don't know how to tune for it, then there's no point in getting one really (unless you're going to learn). Otherwise just take your car and HPTuners to whatever dyno of your choosing and let them hook up their wideband and do the tuning for you. Then at least you don't have to buy one.

I have the software so of course I want to learn. $20 shop time? If I can find that awesome! Heck Scot will do it for free. I live in Northern VA cost of living here is pretty steep. Plus I want to get the Aeroforce wideband then I don't need another gauge it's around $189. Either way I still want one.

 

[Larrymer]

I'd look into logging a wideband with HPTuners then and making sure you can save that data in your datalogs. It's much easier to do than watching the gauge and trying to remember where your AFR was.

 

[laborsmith]

The AEM Failsafe does have an internal data logger that allows the logs to be downloaded using their USB cable/connection.

Laborsmith

 

[rodslinger]

The AEM Failsafe does have an internal data logger that allows the logs to be downloaded using their USB cable/connection.

Laborsmith

Yes it does. Little USB cable comes out of the back to connect to your laptop. Can set trigger points to start and stop datalogging or log live right to a laptop. Also has analog AFR and boost outputs to connect to external logger or control as well as tach input.

I almost balked at the cost of it but it has been a very helpful tool for me.

 

[ScarabEpic22]

Yea, $300-400 only if you want a gauge/additional features. A good Innovate LC-1 WBO2 is under $200, I think I paid less than $250 for mine with a gauge AND a bung.

And Scot's correct, no native WBO2 input for our ECMs. Id have to think about it, but right now IIRC only the Cobalt SS/TCs had that and maybe select other cars with the Bosch ECMs (not GM in house) used WBO2s. Funny when Audi/VW and a few other brands have been using WBO2s for years now, I even think my dad's 03 Audi A6 had one!