Extending o2 sensors for lt's

[Sugarfree135]

So my question is this, I've installed universal O2 sensors before that required the cut and splicing of the wires on the new sensor to the old plug. They worked just fine. Can I not just extend the wires on my current front o2 sensors to be longer for my lt headers that I'm going to install? I just don't see the need to buy $40 worth of parts when I have extra wires and solder in the shop lol anyone else do this?

[Dupree878]

I didn't even use the extenders on my TSP LTs. The stock wits reached the front bungs

[Sugarfree135]

Ok I wondered if that would be the case with mine as well, I've heard you can disconnect them from the back of the engine but it appears ill only gain maybe 2 inches by doing that 😐

[axis]

It's perfectly fine to extend your wires. Many don't want to cut them and $40 for something that can be easily reversed isn't bad.

[LSX Camaro]

I have been doing GM drivability for 20+ years. Every "universal" O2 sensor I have seen causes all kinds of problems. Soldering and crimp connectors have different amounts of resistance. This can result in incorrect readings. Do it right and use GM O2 sensors with extensions.

[jsboyce]

cut mine with no problems.

[Deezee]

I'm pretty sure if your LTs require extenders they will come with them.

[Sugarfree135]

I bought them used so they unfortunately don't 😞 I got a set of silver ceramic Jba's though for $150 so I'm not complaining lol

[thahemp]

Don't cut them. The wires have pathways in them that are part of how the sensor works. Also, they will not take solder. I swapped the front/rear wires in my ECM connectors and used the rear O2 sensors in my headers.

[Sugarfree135]

That's clever

[thahemp]

I got the idea from LS1tech. Make sure you label the wires and where they go as you pull them or you might end up in a panic moment. Aside from that, the connectors are easy to take apart. Peel back the looms far enough that crossing connectors doesn't pull the wire tight. I've got some pictures around somewhere from when i did mine.

[Rocky1974]

I'm not pretending to be the expert on this subject, but I thought that I read somewhere that one of the "wires" was actually a tube that delivers fresh air to the sensor for sampling and that was the reason that you have use the extenders. This may be propaganda put out by the makers of the extenders, but I did read it somewhere.

[TrekGTO]

Cut and splice, solder use shrink tubing is to much work for what extensions cost. I did it one time for RX when he didn't order the parts and never again.

[thahemp]

Be careful cutting the tape (loom). If you use a knife, it's really easy to nick the insulation on the wires. I used blunt tip scissors. Take the connectors apart from the front (face). The side opposite the wires. I used a safety pin to stick down in the holes from the front of the connectors. Just gently press the pin lock in so the wire will slide out the back of the connector. Swap all the front/rear O2 signals. Tape everything back up so you have a little slack in the wire bundles.

And remember.... tell the poor next guy about it before you sell off your car! Could you imagine the head scratching they would be doing trying to figure out WTF is going on?