02 sensor addition

[markcjr]

Hi guys, I have a 98 RS and have been running a brullen header, no cat, and 5zigen fireball midpipe/exhaust for a few years now. Instead of switching back to my stock exhaust to get it smogged (live in Truckee, CA) I decided i'd have a 2.25" magnaflow high flow cat installed along with the appropriate 02 bungs so I could just run this exhaust all the time, and hopefully the cat would quiet it down a bit.

I brought it to Mr. Z's and they had quoted me $310 for the above work. They called me today and said it was done. I asked if they got it all in, cat, o2's etc and if it was all good. The employee there, Mark, said "oh, we just put the cat and 02 bungs in, not the sensors, we thought you were going to do that". I'm not mad at that, as I guess it was just a misunderstanding. The above work came to $325.

But I asked what it would cost to put in the 02 sensors and he called back and said it would be $300 for the 2 sensors. I guess the Brullen header has the exhaust bung that is supposed to be behind the cat, in front of the cat, so they have to lenghten the rear one to reach up front....somthing like that. Mark said it would be 2 hours labor and whatever the cost for building the 2 o2 sensors so I guess that's $300.

Do I just have to bend over and take it or is there a cheaper option/garage/buy my own parts etc.
I appreciate the help.

Mark

[sperry]

If you've already got the sensors, it's not hard to lengthen the wire on them... it's just a matter of splicing into them. I had to do it on my WRX when I was running my Vishnu exhaust since the rear O2 sensor moved about 10" back.

[markcjr]

That's what the shop said. The brullen header moved the rear 02 sensor about 14" back, so he couldn't get a universal one to fit, so was going to order one from some shop that custom builds them for him. Is the $300 a "reasonable" price for this work/parts, considering I have no idea what I'm doing with this stuff? He said it would take about 2 hours to install because they have to loop into the wiring loom and through the tranny etc.

Mark

[sperry]

$300 is about right, if it includes two new sensors (they're around $100 each). But if they're just splicing your existing sensor to make it longer, then they're charging you like $200 too much IMO.

[markcjr]

There were no sensors. Could I order them online, and ask them to splice them for me? It seems like the easiest option is just to pay at this point as I need to get it smogged so I can get it registered....

[Kevin M]

Did you remove your stock ones completely? If you still have them, just cut the harness, splice in the needed length of wire, and install. If you don't have them, get a set that has the appropriate harness ends, lengthen wires, and install. It is a legitimate $300 job at the shop, but you can reasonably expect to do a competent job of it yourself if you want.

[markcjr]

thanks guys....when i put the catless system on, i kept my stock setup, but the shop must've thrown away the sensors because they're just empty bung holes now....... gonna just get it done and get it smogged. I appreciate the help.

mARK

oh, one last thing. the guy at mr. z's said the magnaflow hi flow cat he put on was obd 2 complient, so when he installs the new sensors, i should have no problem with cali smog and my check engine light will go out....any thoughts? I guess I'll find out in two days when i get it back.

mark

[Kevin M]

It functions properly, but you are still technically going to fail a visual inspection if the guy is a stickler, unless Magnaflow got some sort of blanket EO number.

[markcjr]

cool, I know the owner of the shop, so hopefully he'll take care of me.

Mark