Dharma_Bum Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 I am starting a 2.2l engine conversion into a Vanagon. I have a NOS 90-91 2.2l engine. The wiring harness and electronics came out of a '91 non-turbo Legacy donor w/ 278k miles on the odometer. I did not get the Subaru Catalytic Converter (CAT) or the Subaru Oxygen Sensor from the donor car. I have purchased an aftermarket Catalytic Converter from Small Car Performance designed to work with the Subaru engine. The CAT has the port drilled and threaded to mount an Oxygen Sensor in the CAT. I have been looking at Subaru Oxygen Sensors on the internet and there seems to be a wide variety of brands and prices. Prices range from about $30 to $95 dollars and the most common brands seem to be a Bosch ($82) and a Denso ($95). Questions: -- Are all Oxygen Sensors created equal? Is the Denso (OEM?) worth the extra cost? -- Many of the Oxygen Sensors are advertised as "Connector BEFORE Catalyst". Will these sensors work for my application - directly into the CAT? -- Anyone have a favorite on-line vendor in the USA for the Subaru specific parts like this? This will be my first Subaru part purchase. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine73 Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 Sounds like a cool project! I'd go OE for a couple reasons. First is I've seen many recommendations to use OE for the front oxygen sensor on this board. Second is then you know the connector will fit without any extra work on your part wheras aftermarket are sometimes a 'generic' where you cut the connector off the old sensor and wire it onto the new sensor. The sensors labelled as 'before cat' ('front sensor') is the one used for A/F ratio adjustment; the 'after cat' / rear is typically used to determine catalyst efficiency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 subarus have two sensors, one before the cat that talks to the computer, and the one after to make sure the cat is working. the first one should be a OE o2 sensor, the 2nd it doesnt matter. The cat is too hot for o2 sensors... give snall car a call and see what they suggest. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dharma_Bum Posted August 19, 2006 Author Share Posted August 19, 2006 I think the '90-'94 OBDI Legacy's only had one O2 Sensor. Later models had two. I am only planning on putting in one sensor directly in the CAT... but I need to make sure I get the correct one. Is the Denso the Subaru original O2 sensor? Thanks for the reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 nipendenso most likely is nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manarius Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 NipponDenso is OEM spec. And, 90-94 only had one O2 sensor - stuck right in the Y merge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 I have been told by parts counter persons that many/most/all Bosch direct-fits for Subarus are repackaged NDs... the sensor has ND logo on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.