Mustang O2 sensor compatible??

[ROLLingKING]

So a buddy of mine said theres a range of mustangs that have compatible O2 sensors for my 87 325is

I guess its cheaper (price) than buying a new bosch sensor. anyone else heard of this? I wanna make sure i get the right one if this does fit and work fine.

thanks

[Sagaris]

My understanding is that a narrowband O2 sensor is a narrowband O2 sensor and they all measure between 0 and 1V. As long as it has the appropriate wiring configuration ( 4 wire if your car is a 4 wire, 3 wire if your car is a 3 wire etc) and the threads on the sensor match your manifold, then it should be able to be used. Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but this is what I have learned over the years and I have used a handful of "universal" oxygen sensors that had direct fitment for different cars without problem.

One thing I am definitely a big fan of is having a sensor that doesnt require cutting and splicing in order to put the right harness on. I am afraid that a bad splicing job will introduce some additional resistance which would reduce the accuracy of the sensor readings that the ECU sees.

[ROLLingKING]

very true
thanks sagaris...if i could pick your brain some more tho

are you saying that buying the cheaper O2 sensor and splicing the wires to connect is not a good idea. i understand what your saying to the faulty resistance but it should work if i splice it good right?

or is running the risk of a faulty reading to the ECU really not worth it here? cause at this point i just want to grab a cheap mustang one and make it work

[Sagaris]

I have never had an issue with splicing it, as long as you can get a secure connection and protect it from moisture you should be just fine. A bad splicing job that could lead to moisture+corrosion is just something to consider.
What kind of price are you looking at? I think I got mine with a factory E30 connector for $75

[blocke]

I went the "retro-fit" route. My o2 sensor was actually from a Ford Van. I can look at the PN when I get home.

[M-technik-3]

Bosch universal is more than an replacement one.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Bosch-Oxygen-Sensor/1990-BMW-325I/_/N-iggr9Z9ixrp?counter=0&itemIdentifier=232021_115960_1784_

[urbancynic]

I've used this one from a 90 Ford Mustang 5.0 on my 86 eta:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Bosch-Oxygen-Sensor/1990-Ford-Mustang/_/N-igouyZ9ixrp?counter=1&itemIdentifier=4979_173119_1784_

Worked great. Cut off connector, splice wires in to old connector, enjoy.

[klavender1]

On my 87 ETA, I just unplugged it. From my understanding the ECU just figures a median value if you unplug it. Car hasn't seemed to run any different.

[Sagaris]

On my 87 ETA, I just unplugged it. From my understanding the ECU just figures a median value if you unplug it. Car hasn't seemed to run any different.

The ECU runs the pre-programmed fuel maps with the oxygen sensor unplugged, think of a factory-adjusted carburetor and how the settings might not work well on the car after time/mods/weather changes, requiring a re-adjustment. The oxygen sensor gives the ECU feedback which scales the base map values up or down to give a more accurate mixture which would be like a self-adjusting a carburetor on the fly . It is definitely beneficial to run with it plugged in.