O2 sensors - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

E.T. · 05-06-2012, 02:20 PM

I'm thinking of doing hi flow cats, but I've read tons of stories on here about people ruining their O2 sensors when removing them. Maybe I will get lucky and all 4 will come out, but I could also wind up stripping all of them.

This probably sounds a little crazy, but one easy solution I can think of is to just buy 4 new sensors ahead of time (2 front and 2 rear) and use these with the new cats. I figure I'll just leave the old sensors in the old cats, and it'll be real easy if I ever have to swap back.

Any downsides to doing it this way, besides the cash?

RichGreene · 05-06-2012, 03:19 PM

Most dealers charge 20% to exchange. I had to buy 3 of those F&%$ers and theyre Not cheap. A friend works at an exhaust shop and swears no one crossthreads like these. My dealer had the rears in stock and I'm waiting on a front one.
Yeah, I think I'd gamble buying them in advance for peace of mind.
Do you know anyone that works at a shop to get you a discount ?
i save 25% on mine.

HopeRidesAlone · 05-06-2012, 03:35 PM

I would try it i didnt have any issues with mine i was at about 30k miles when i put my headers on and no issues i would uninstall the sensors and install them while the parts aren't on the car.

idealneil · 05-06-2012, 03:44 PM

Had to replace one when I went to the hi flows think it was like 135

E.T. · 05-06-2012, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichGreene

Most dealers charge 20% to exchange. I had to buy 3 of those F&%$ers and theyre Not cheap. A friend works at an exhaust shop and swears no one crossthreads like these. My dealer had the rears in stock and I'm waiting on a front one.
Yeah, I think I'd gamble buying them in advance for peace of mind.
Do you know anyone that works at a shop to get you a discount ?
i save 25% on mine.

Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who can get me a discount. Figured maybe I could find a good price online.

I just don't want to start doing the job, and be stuck when I break sensors. I suppose if I buy them and don't need them, I could just keep them "in stock" here at my house and sell them when I read about someone ruining their threads. Seems like a very common problem.

WolvesnHawks · 05-06-2012, 05:12 PM

Do not know what you found for pricing but thought you might be interested to find the price here:

http://store.gmpartshouse.com/parts/...xygen%20sensor

Still a bit of cash but still ultimately your choice as to what route you choose to take.

FFPM73 · 05-06-2012, 05:15 PM

Here is what I did. I removed the factory exhaust manifolds and factory exhaust. I soaked the threads of the 02 sensors with PB Blaster while I started to install the new 3 inch cat-back. After the sensors soaked for about an hour, I used the 02 sensor socket and all of them came out with ease. I applied thread anti-seize too all the threads and put them into my new 1 7/8 headers. Intalled the headers from underneath secured the 02 sensor wire extenders and tightened up all the bolts with proper torque. Full system has been on now for about 2 years without ever throwing a CEL.

E.T. · 05-06-2012, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WolvesnHawks

Do not know what you found for pricing but thought you might be interested to find the price here:

http://store.gmpartshouse.com/parts/...xygen%20sensor

Still a bit of cash but still ultimately your choice as to what route you choose to take.

Thanks for the tip. Do you know if they changed something for the 2012s? I noticed your link was for a 2011, and it lists a left and right sensor. I found this for the 2012, but it doesn't differentiate between left and right

http://store.gmpartshouse.com/parts/...icleid=1501817

RichGreene · 05-06-2012, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E.T.

Thanks for the tip. Do you know if they changed something for the 2012s? I noticed your link was for a 2011, and it lists a left and right sensor. I found this for the 2012, but it doesn't differentiate between left and right

http://store.gmpartshouse.com/parts/...icleid=1501817

Both fronts same part # Rears both have the same #
The fronts are the most expensive dealer list $105, I got 1 for $72, the rears look to be in the ballpark.price wise. Dont forget if you buy them at your dealer theres no shipping charge.
My exhaust guy soaked mine heated them cherry red used an O2 wrench and they were still junk. Crossthreaded from the factory.
Bst of luck to you.

ceyl · 05-06-2012, 07:38 PM

Try Rock Auto. I've always had good luck getting parts there cheaper.

dragon22 · 05-06-2012, 10:53 PM

My buddy sprayed the sensors with WD40 and let them sit while we worked on the car. There was only one that was tough to get out. I've had them in for almost 5,000 km and no CEL. You just have to be very gentle with them. Not one of them was cross threaded. Used some anti seize on them when we installed them too.

Badbubba · 05-07-2012, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E.T.

I'm thinking of doing hi flow cats, but I've read tons of stories on here about people ruining their O2 sensors when removing them. Maybe I will get lucky and all 4 will come out, but I could also wind up stripping all of them.

This probably sounds a little crazy, but one easy solution I can think of is to just buy 4 new sensors ahead of time (2 front and 2 rear) and use these with the new cats. I figure I'll just leave the old sensors in the old cats, and it'll be real easy if I ever have to swap back.

Any downsides to doing it this way, besides the cash?

Slightly confused. I'm guessing you still have everything stock from the cats forward since you are asking about removing all 4 sensors. Are you doing headers as well? There is no bung for the O2 in your stock exhaust manifold. So you would need to weld a bung in before the hf cat. Mine came out with no problems, cold. I buy stuff ahead of time in anticipation of something going wrong, just be sure you can return it if everything goes well.

E.T. · 05-07-2012, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badbubba

Slightly confused. I'm guessing you still have everything stock from the cats forward since you are asking about removing all 4 sensors. Are you doing headers as well? There is no bung for the O2 in your stock exhaust manifold. So you would need to weld a bung in before the hf cat. Mine came out with no problems, cold. I buy stuff ahead of time in anticipation of something going wrong, just be sure you can return it if everything goes well.

Yep, all stock in front of cats. No, I was planning on keeping stock exhaust manifold and just adding the solo hi flows.

I'm just going by their install instructions, but I'm assuming their cats have holes for all 4 sensors?

"There are four (4) oxygen sensors, two per side, in your Camaro converters. Find and unplug each of the four(4) sensors"

justa25thTA · 05-07-2012, 08:35 AM

yep, on my JBA high flows, all 4 had to come out. One was a b*tch, but the other 3 were easy.

05-06-2012, 02:20 PM	#1
E.T. Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 3,273	O2 sensors I'm thinking of doing hi flow cats, but I've read tons of stories on here about people ruining their O2 sensors when removing them. Maybe I will get lucky and all 4 will come out, but I could also wind up stripping all of them. This probably sounds a little crazy, but one easy solution I can think of is to just buy 4 new sensors ahead of time (2 front and 2 rear) and use these with the new cats. I figure I'll just leave the old sensors in the old cats, and it'll be real easy if I ever have to swap back. Any downsides to doing it this way, besides the cash? __________________

05-06-2012, 03:35 PM	#3
HopeRidesAlone Drives: 2010 Camaro Black 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 840 View My Garage	I would try it i didnt have any issues with mine i was at about 30k miles when i put my headers on and no issues i would uninstall the sensors and install them while the parts aren't on the car. __________________ 2010 Black 2LT/RS - Injen CAI, ARK DTS Catback Polished Tips, OBX LT Headers, Lowered on Eibach, 3/8 blackiceolator, Trifecta Tuned.- *Totaled 3/10/13* 2010 Black 2SS/RS - Stainless powers 1 7/8 LT headers, cold air inductions cai, Tuned by dynosteve, Feesler side skirt, Feesler Spoiler, Feesler carbon fiber bowties, H&R Lowering Springs.

05-06-2012, 05:12 PM	#6
WolvesnHawks Drives: 2011 IBM 2SS/RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: Central, TX Posts: 72 View My Garage	Do not know what you found for pricing but thought you might be interested to find the price here: http://store.gmpartshouse.com/parts/...xygen%20sensor Still a bit of cash but still ultimately your choice as to what route you choose to take. __________________ 2023 ZL1 M6 RBM (2nd time around-used but new to me) 2023 ZL1 M6 RBM Ordered May 2022, Built Feb 2023, Delivered March 3, 2023-Puchased Mar 4, 2023--Stolen Sep 2, 2023!! 2011 2SS/RS M6 IBM - Hurst Short Throw Shifter, White Stripe, Interior Gray/Black,CAI, Borla ATAK Catback, Technostalgia rapid fire tail lights, Sunbusters Tint, Austin, TX (30% Front / 15% Rear and Back window Pinnacle Ceramic Tint) 17 Dec 2011: First time on Dyno - 359 hp / 350 trq __________________________

05-06-2012, 05:15 PM	#7
FFPM73 Firefighter/Paramedic Drives: RJT 2SS/RS M6 LS-3 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Burlington, KY 41005 Posts: 423	Here is what I did. I removed the factory exhaust manifolds and factory exhaust. I soaked the threads of the 02 sensors with PB Blaster while I started to install the new 3 inch cat-back. After the sensors soaked for about an hour, I used the 02 sensor socket and all of them came out with ease. I applied thread anti-seize too all the threads and put them into my new 1 7/8 headers. Intalled the headers from underneath secured the 02 sensor wire extenders and tightened up all the bolts with proper torque. Full system has been on now for about 2 years without ever throwing a CEL. __________________ *FFPM73*

05-07-2012, 08:35 AM	#14
justa25thTA Drives: 2011 Camaro SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,630	yep, on my JBA high flows, all 4 had to come out. One was a b*tch, but the other 3 were easy. __________________ Yeah, I'll get around to it...

05-06-2012, 03:19 PM	#2
RichGreene Account Suspended Drives: 2011 1SS M6 Green 1993 Custom Eldo Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 973	Most dealers charge 20% to exchange. I had to buy 3 of those F&%$ers and theyre Not cheap. A friend works at an exhaust shop and swears no one crossthreads like these. My dealer had the rears in stock and I'm waiting on a front one. Yeah, I think I'd gamble buying them in advance for peace of mind. Do you know anyone that works at a shop to get you a discount ? i save 25% on mine.

05-06-2012, 03:44 PM	#4
idealneil Drives: 2011 SS/RS And 2011 LT Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Central Texas Posts: 61	Had to replace one when I went to the hi flows think it was like 135

05-06-2012, 07:38 PM	#10
ceyl Drives: 2012 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 36	Try Rock Auto. I've always had good luck getting parts there cheaper.

05-06-2012, 10:53 PM	#11
dragon22 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS SIM Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 1,697 View My Garage	My buddy sprayed the sensors with WD40 and let them sit while we worked on the car. There was only one that was tough to get out. I've had them in for almost 5,000 km and no CEL. You just have to be very gentle with them. Not one of them was cross threaded. Used some anti seize on them when we installed them too.