Wide band O2 sensors

[UNITY]

My question of the night Wide band O2 sensors? I do not know much about them. whats to know? will it help me with the SC application? I know a lot of forced induction guys run them. Is there some for the 04-08 F150?

[907DAVE]

Sorry, the only thing I really know about the wideband O2's is that they are damn expensive.

From what I have heard they are used because they are more accurate than EGT gauges. They will not replace your factory sensors, you weld them in their own bungs (1 per bank, or 1 after the "Y"), and use a seperate gauge.

I don't know if it would be worth using if you were not doing your own tuning, but sure would be nice so you can keep a close eye on things.

Sorry I don't know more about them.

[UNITY]

Whelp, that is already more info then I knew before. I thought they replaced your stock ones. Thanks for the input! I actually have a really nice EGT gauge I picked up at HKS japan when I was filming out there a few years ago. The color of the gauge is actually a pearl white like my truck and the numbers are back lit green... Humm, maybe I will incorporate it into the truck some how.

[88Racing]

Forced induction for gassers is a very rare subject around here.
Sorry there isn't more info available for you!
You may want to try posing this question over on F150online in their SC section.

[cleatus12r]

You cannot simply replace your existing narrow band sensors with wide band sensors....the PCM will not be able to run them, nor will the data output from the sensors be anywhere near valid for the PCM to read it.

Narrow band O2 sensors are a galvanic battery that put out between 0 and 1000 millivolts (1 volt) depending on the temperature of the sensor and the delta of oxygen concentration between measured air (in your exhaust) and ambient air. 450 mV is regarded to be a 14.7:1 air/fuel ratio with higher voltages being richer (<14.7:1) and lower voltages being leaner (>14.7:1) .

Wide band O2 sensors use a system that measures an air/fuel ratio by not creating it's own voltage...it requires a reference voltage to work. This reference voltage is typically 5 volts so the output can be 0-5 volts....obviously different than the 0-1 volt of the standard O2 sensor. Leaner mixtures result in a lower voltage whereas richer mixtures create a return of higher voltage. The wide band O2 sensors include a controller, a pump to get oxygen in and out, and usually a gauge.

The standard O2 sensor cannot measure an air/fuel ratio....it can be somewhat calculated, but basically, it is only able to measure a rich or lean condition that very slightly deviates from stoichiometric. A wide band setup actually measures the O2 content and can give an actual reading...very important in aftermarket tuning.

[UNITY]

Thanks Cody, very helpful info!