SUCCESS!! Re-Located and Extended rear o2 sensors!

Rated M · 03-20-2011, 12:13 AM

Hey Guys,

Spent the weekend getting my exhaust all figured out!

I now have the following setup

Euro Headers
Factory Section 1 with relocated EGT and rear o2 sensors
Factory X-Pipe (Will be changing soon)
Rogue El Diablo Mufflers

I put on about 125 miles this afternoon/evening with the car (through all RPM and load ranges) and have yet to throw anything close to a code.

I ended up cutting off the welds along the sides of the heat shield covering the cats. Underneath it was very easy to figure out where and what to do. You can clearly see the spots where the factory o2 sensors were placed.

The manufacturer of the bungs had the perfect "J" Bungs on backorder for a couple months, so I was able to weld two 45degree bungs together to create my 90degree bend. (I did have to offset one bung a little bit to get the o2 to fit all the way in without contacting)

Once I got the o2's welded in place, I notched, cut and bent the heat shield around the o2 sensors and welded the entire cover back on. It looked almost factory!

So, Half way through the process my iPhone died and I didn't have another camera with me

So I didn't get pictures of the rest of the process. Sorry Guys!!!

Like I said.. no codes as of yet!!! and I am in love with the sound!!!

johanness · 03-20-2011, 12:52 AM

Nice! Good to see everything worked out for ya

fr8tdog · 03-20-2011, 11:06 AM

Congrats....very nice work

onebluemcm · 03-20-2011, 07:37 PM

Rated M

Nice work - too bad we don't have pics though....

Can you explain how you handled the wiring? Sources for part if you used different connectors? thanks

Rated M · 03-20-2011, 08:46 PM

Hey guys. My local napa carries a wire heat shield identical to the sleeve that covers the oem o2s.

I just cut and soldered in 16ga wire for the o2s and 20ga (just standard primary) for the egt sensor. I staggered the cuts so all the heatshrinked connections wouldn't bunch up in one area under the sleeve.

I extended the rear o2's by 60 inches and the egt by 48". This left me with an almost perfect amount of extension.

I am going to be picking up an aftermarket x-pipe in the near future. I'll take the section one down at this time and get pics.

425 miles with no codes. Car has now adapted and I am insanely impressed with the performance!!

fr8tdog · 03-20-2011, 10:41 PM

Z4-VILLA · 03-21-2011, 06:08 PM

wow...Im impressed....I was thinking to just buy the whole euro cat section though...
also, are the gains from no tunning?

onebluemcm · 03-21-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rated M

Hey guys. My local napa carries a wire heat shield identical to the sleeve that covers the oem o2s.

I just cut and soldered in 16ga wire for the o2s and 20ga (just standard primary) for the egt sensor. I staggered the cuts so all the heatshrinked connections wouldn't bunch up in one area under the sleeve.

I extended the rear o2's by 60 inches and the egt by 48". This left me with an almost perfect amount of extension.

I am going to be picking up an aftermarket x-pipe in the near future. I'll take the section one down at this time and get pics.

425 miles with no codes. Car has now adapted and I am insanely impressed with the performance!!

So if you were to need to replace an O2 sensor, you'd have to redo the wiring? Not that these things need replacing often at all, but I was thinking about trying to get around this by making an extender with compatible plugs on either end, like a mini extension cord...

Rated M · 03-22-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z4-Villalona

wow...Im impressed....I was thinking to just buy the whole euro cat section though...
also, are the gains from no tunning?

Yes... VERY noticeable gains without software. I still may pick up a tune for the extra edge, but I am not going to worry about turning off any of the o2's.

I never got a baseline dyno so it will be hard to know the true gains I got from this, But I am going to get a dyno session done here once the weather gets nicer.

Rated M · 03-22-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebluemcm

So if you were to need to replace an O2 sensor, you'd have to redo the wiring? Not that these things need replacing often at all, but I was thinking about trying to get around this by making an extender with compatible plugs on either end, like a mini extension cord...

I had the same idea so I googled the part numbers off the factory plugs with no success, they are specialized plugs. I did consider using the duetsche plugs like PAL had used, but I feel that nothing beats the connection of a good ol' fashion solder.

I picked up another set of rear-o2 sensors for really cheap. This way I can revert back to stock and sell the extended o2's to another lucky member here.

Z4Murder · 03-22-2011, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rated M

I had the same idea so I googled the part numbers off the factory plugs with no success, they are specialized plugs. I did consider using the duetsche plugs like PAL had used, but I feel that nothing beats the connection of a good ol' fashion solder.

I picked up another set of rear-o2 sensors for really cheap. This way I can revert back to stock and sell the extended o2's to another lucky member here.

nice work! i'll take the extended o2's when you decide to sell them

Z4-VILLA · 03-22-2011, 09:48 AM

awesome thread

onebluemcm · 03-22-2011, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rated M

I had the same idea so I googled the part numbers off the factory plugs with no success, they are specialized plugs. I did consider using the duetsche plugs like PAL had used, but I feel that nothing beats the connection of a good ol' fashion solder.

I picked up another set of rear-o2 sensors for really cheap. This way I can revert back to stock and sell the extended o2's to another lucky member here.

Nice idea with a 2nd set of O2 sensors - that seems like a plan to me.

Starscream · 03-23-2011, 07:06 AM

I was under the impression from the M3 guys who have fitted euro cats that you do not need to extend the o2 wires,

according to them there is anough slack winded up under the valve coverto reach the reloacted o2's and EGT,

I'll be installing mine end of the month when my headers get here and I wasn't planning on extending anything,

inTgr8r · 03-23-2011, 07:13 AM

^ I heard the same thing.

inTgr8r · 03-23-2011, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebluemcm

Rated M

Nice work - too bad we don't have pics though....

...........

^+1
Nice work on this!!!
I would have loved to see more pics too.

I really like your idea of splitting the heat shield & reworking it instead of chopping it up.
Great idea!!!

-----
I'd also like to hear your impressions on how the sound has changed with the headers & elimination of the cats.

Rated M · 03-23-2011, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starscream

I was under the impression from the M3 guys who have fitted euro cats that you do not need to extend the o2 wires,

according to them there is anough slack winded up under the valve coverto reach the reloacted o2's and EGT,

I'll be installing mine end of the month when my headers get here and I wasn't planning on extending anything,

My first thought as well. And there is no way you would be able to do this. I extended by 5 feet and only had about 6-8 inches to spare if you stretched it tight, but I followed the stock routing path under the valve cover cover (lol).

You could potentially pull the wires and the connectors out and shave a couple feet off the extension, but then you would have unprotected plugs down by the transmission. (not to mention the plugs are not weathertight)

Rated M · 03-23-2011, 08:44 AM

[QUOTE=inTgr8r;9192997]

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebluemcm

Rated M

Nice work - too bad we don't have pics though....

...........

^ 1
Nice work on this!!!
I would have loved to see more pics too.

I really like your idea of splitting the heat shield

Starscream · 03-23-2011, 09:06 AM

Thats so weird,

Look at page 3 of this

http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=151391

I can't see ours being any different?

Rated M · 03-23-2011, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starscream

Thats so weird,

Look at page 3 of this

http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=151391

I can't see ours being any different?

That's my first time seeing that thread and I can see that being feasible. My only issue with it again is not having weather tight connectors out in the open, rather than tucked up under the valve cover cover.

I ran my o2 extensions in the exact same path as oem and shouldn't have to worry about any issues going forward.

Total cost of the extension was about 50 bucks.

dorifto88 · 03-23-2011, 09:29 AM

dun dun dun... starscream can you please confirm the length of the wires inside that plastic housing when you install your euro pipes?

Jumbosock · 05-04-2011, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rated M

That's my first time seeing that thread and I can see that being feasible. My only issue with it again is not having weather tight connectors out in the open, rather than tucked up under the valve cover cover.

I ran my o2 extensions in the exact same path as oem and shouldn't have to worry about any issues going forward.

Total cost of the extension was about 50 bucks.

I was concerned with exposed connections in my former E46M3 when I extended the wires for my euro setup. The answer was simply sealing the connections. I used large heat shrink with liquid electrical tape. Pretty easy.

As seen in Mikymu's M3forum thread you have to free up the wires BEFORE they enter the valve cover cover to get the needed extra length. From there you just take your time routing everything high and tight. I will definitely be doing this mod with my new2me Z4MC soon. I'll take pics if nobody has done so by then.

03-20-2011, 12:13 AM	#1
Rated M Second Lieutenant 54 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 2007 IB Z4MC Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (2)	SUCCESS!! Re-Located and Extended rear o2 sensors! Hey Guys, Spent the weekend getting my exhaust all figured out! I now have the following setup Euro Headers Factory Section 1 with relocated EGT and rear o2 sensors Factory X-Pipe (Will be changing soon) Rogue El Diablo Mufflers I put on about 125 miles this afternoon/evening with the car (through all RPM and load ranges) and have yet to throw anything close to a code. I ended up cutting off the welds along the sides of the heat shield covering the cats. Underneath it was very easy to figure out where and what to do. You can clearly see the spots where the factory o2 sensors were placed. The manufacturer of the bungs had the perfect "J" Bungs on backorder for a couple months, so I was able to weld two 45degree bungs together to create my 90degree bend. (I did have to offset one bung a little bit to get the o2 to fit all the way in without contacting) Once I got the o2's welded in place, I notched, cut and bent the heat shield around the o2 sensors and welded the entire cover back on. It looked almost factory! So, Half way through the process my iPhone died and I didn't have another camera with me So I didn't get pictures of the rest of the process. Sorry Guys!!! Like I said.. no codes as of yet!!! and I am in love with the sound!!! __________________ Last edited by Rated M; 03-20-2011 at 12:18 AM..
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03-20-2011, 12:52 AM	#2
johanness Banned 56 Rep 1,739 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Seattle, Vancouver iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW Z4M COUPE [7.00] 2012 BMW X1 xDrive 28i [9.00]	Nice! Good to see everything worked out for ya Last edited by johanness; 03-20-2011 at 01:44 PM..
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03-20-2011, 11:06 AM	#3
fr8tdog International Bar Hopper 25 Rep 350 Posts Drives: 2006 Imola Red Z4 M Roadster Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Incline Village, Lake Tahoe iTrader: (0)	Congrats....very nice work __________________ 2006 Imola Red Z4 M, ESS VT2-500 Supercharged, SS V2 step headers, AEM water/meth, Nitto NT555R Drag Radials, ESS VT3 coming
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03-20-2011, 07:37 PM	#4
onebluemcm Captain 42 Rep 632 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Richmond, VA iTrader: (0)	*Rated M* Nice work - too bad we don't have pics though.... Can you explain how you handled the wiring? Sources for part if you used different connectors? thanks __________________ \|=.-._.-._.-._.-._.-._.-._.-._.-._.-._.-._.-.=\| Silbergrau A08 / Sepang Brown LSD6 / Carbon Leather 4MY (1 of 3, this combo) RAC RG63 \| Conti EC-DW \| GC/Koni-Dinan \| Rogue RSM \| Arqray \| Autosolutions \| BMW brace \| Pinnacle tint
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03-20-2011, 08:46 PM	#5
Rated M Second Lieutenant 54 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 2007 IB Z4MC Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (2)	Hey guys. My local napa carries a wire heat shield identical to the sleeve that covers the oem o2s. I just cut and soldered in 16ga wire for the o2s and 20ga (just standard primary) for the egt sensor. I staggered the cuts so all the heatshrinked connections wouldn't bunch up in one area under the sleeve. I extended the rear o2's by 60 inches and the egt by 48". This left me with an almost perfect amount of extension. I am going to be picking up an aftermarket x-pipe in the near future. I'll take the section one down at this time and get pics. 425 miles with no codes. Car has now adapted and I am insanely impressed with the performance!! __________________
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03-20-2011, 10:41 PM	#6
fr8tdog International Bar Hopper 25 Rep 350 Posts Drives: 2006 Imola Red Z4 M Roadster Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Incline Village, Lake Tahoe iTrader: (0)	__________________ 2006 Imola Red Z4 M, ESS VT2-500 Supercharged, SS V2 step headers, AEM water/meth, Nitto NT555R Drag Radials, ESS VT3 coming
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03-21-2011, 06:08 PM	#7
Z4-VILLA Banned 111 Rep 2,460 Posts Drives: Z4M Hardtop Roadster Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Classified iTrader: (0)	wow...Im impressed....I was thinking to just buy the whole euro cat section though... also, are the gains from no tunning?
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03-22-2011, 09:48 AM	#12
Z4-VILLA Banned 111 Rep 2,460 Posts Drives: Z4M Hardtop Roadster Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Classified iTrader: (0)	awesome thread
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03-23-2011, 07:06 AM	#14
Starscream Colonel 135 Rep 2,120 Posts Drives: ///M Roadster + E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Park Ridge NJ + Windermere FL iTrader: (23)	I was under the impression from the M3 guys who have fitted euro cats that you do not need to extend the o2 wires, according to them there is anough slack winded up under the valve coverto reach the reloacted o2's and EGT, I'll be installing mine end of the month when my headers get here and I wasn't planning on extending anything, __________________ Imola Red Roadster
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03-23-2011, 07:13 AM	#15
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2426 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	^ I heard the same thing. __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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03-23-2011, 09:06 AM	#19
Starscream Colonel 135 Rep 2,120 Posts Drives: ///M Roadster + E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Park Ridge NJ + Windermere FL iTrader: (23)	Thats so weird, Look at page 3 of this http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=151391 I can't see ours being any different? __________________ Imola Red Roadster
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03-23-2011, 09:29 AM	#21
dorifto88 Major 49 Rep 1,135 Posts Drives: 88 Nissan Pathfinder Join Date: May 2010 Location: cowtown iTrader: (4)	dun dun dun... starscream can you please confirm the length of the wires inside that plastic housing when you install your euro pipes?
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