Hit Man X

Hey everyone, need some opinions/input. My '96 needs front O2s.

I see all sorts of options here:

Universals
-Bosch
-Denso
-?

Direct Fit
- Denso
- Bosch
- Walker



I have the cash for the pair of Denso direct fits, but will any of the others work well? I can get two direct fit Walkers for about $10 more than ONE Denso direct fit.

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

Quality quality quality...

The Denso stuff is better quality. Does that mean that the Walker brand will be crap in a month, probably not, but, I will guarantee the Denso's will be more accurate, longer... Same goes for Bosch - Bosch is quality, OE stuff... I haven't even heard of Walker o2 sensors and I work at a repair shop...

The only difference between direct fit and universal is that direct fit already have the right pigtail on them, whereas universal, you have to wire yourself...

Lexmex

In the RX300 forum, we have some O2 sensor issues and I always recommend to stick with the Denso. I remember a few people reporting issues with the RX300 with the Bosch, but that may be something endemic to our engine/ECM group.

My uncle has a garage and he has used the Bosch without issue on European vehicles, but the Japanese, he sticks with Denso.

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

That's pretty much how we do it around here too... anything japanese in origin gets ngk/denso parts...

Hit Man X

Basically what I figured. I can repair anything on my fleet, so I'm not scared to do wiring... but my concern about the "universal" units durability over time.

I plan to solder them into place, not crimp. But can these hold up to 70-100k miles of use with extreme heat and still accurately read my A/F?

Not interested in doing something half assed.

Lexmex

Well, I kind of do things half assed like toss in high octane racing gas (the variety just before it gets into leaded) along with experimenting with octane boosters and a lot additives, and my original OEM O2 sensors keep a ticking.

Hit Man X

104 unleaded won't do a damned thing to O2 sensors.

Just wondering who's had long term universals installed...

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

if theres more than $50 difference (universals being cheaper), I'd do the universal ones, it's just the plug that makes the difference - the sensor itself is the same (so long as you get the proper universal sensor, heated vs not heated, etc)...

and of course so long as the wiring is done properly, there will be no difference in reliability...

Hit Man X

There is a SEVENTY dollar difference EACH between the direct fit Denso and the universal four wire Denso.

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

when my Talon was running, the ONLY gas it got once it was on the big turbo was MS109, 105 octane, unleaded fuel... never had any issues at all with it...

leaded stuff kills o2 sensors fast, especially when that's all you use... however, if you use leaded gas just every once in a while, and normal gas the rest of the time, the standard gas tends to clean the o2 sensor to some degree...

I've seen 100% dead (from leaded gas) o2 sensors start working after some hard runs with standard unleaded... granted they die quickly when the leaded goes back in, but, it's definitely interesting...

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

wire the **** yourself... save the money... the sensor is the same, just the plug is the only difference...

f- that $70 difference...

what kind of prices have you found for the o2 sensors??? I show fronts and rears, rears being quite a bit more expensive... which ones do you need?

Lexmex

Oh I was higher than 104, gas burns like s..t at this altitude, but point well taken.

mobilyte

iTrader: (3)

i replaced the front o2 sensors on my LS with denso universals, no issues at all.