I just installed my BEGi downpipe, and I was stupid and it didn't click that the o2 bungs were on the lower half of the pipe until I got it installed and went to install the WB sensor.
I talked to Stephanie today, and they're willing to work with me to fix it, but she said that she's talked to WB vendors that say that as long as the sensor is above about the 7 or 8 o'clock position (which mine looks to be), it should be fine.
What's the general consensus here? I've been taught and told that you keep it as high as possible to avoid moisture damage, but if it'll be ok as is, I'd rather avoid the hassle of getting it changed. But if it's gonna kill sensors, I'm going to change it.

 

I wouldn't want mine be below 3 or 9 o-clock. I'd get that fixed.

Also, think about it's placement, the O2 sensor would probably be the lowest point on the car, I bet they don't like to be hit with objects on the highway, or cones for that matter.

 

I have never seen a recommendation below 10 degrees ABOVE horizontal for a permanent installation. This is done so that you don't get condensate forming in the unit. Temporary use bungs for dyno tuning can be below horizontal for access, but those units are removed while still warm in most cases.

 

Is that where they normally put it?

Straight from the LM-1 manual;
C

 

yup.....my begi S downpipe has two bungs pointing in the 6 o'clock position. i guess it's a good location if you like destroying O2 sensors.

 

Mine are close to horizontal. Guess I got lucky.

 

OK, thanks guys! I just wanted to see if I was missing something, but clearly I'm right on the money. I'll get things rolling my way tomorrow.

 

I see that downpipe as a possibility in my future, and will be sure to specify bung placement when I order.

C

 

I too have had problems with the BEGi downpipe I ordered with O2 sensor position. I'm at the point where I believe they are incapable of building a downpipe with correct bung positions. I would think that with a shop that specializes in Miatas, could figure out where to correctly mount a sensor bung so it doesn't interfere with anything, but unfortunately, this is not the case. I'm also a little baffled by the use of steel bungs on a stainless steel downpipe. I'm extremely disappointed with this fact as they have a good reputation, but because of my incident and what followed, I will never buy another product from them, let alone have them do any custom fabrication for me. Attached is a picture of where they thought my O2 sensor should be located......

 

A sensor bung facing down is super convenient for the dyno. If I were having a custom DP made, I'd have a bung at the NB location, a second facing down pre cat, and a third facing up pre cat.

 

Ordered mine a few months ago, Stef emailed me pics to mark for location.
Actually, come to think of it I have 2 bungs in the WB location...the original that they put in which is very close (prob same) as the OP's pic, and then one I marked for them with correct orientation...
And I have a 3rd pretty much right where its located on the stock dp for the stock 02...

 

What followed?

 

I've put WB bungs on 3 different headers. Best place I found was near the flange around the 3 oclock position. Plenty of room for the sensor and it was on a slight angle to prevent the condensation issue. Plus I think it may keep the sensor from overheating. I haven't read issues of WB sensors being too cold, but I've read things about them getting too hot. I have to take a look at my recently received downpipe. It has 2 bungs welded in before the flex joint, but I haven't looked at it hard enough to see where they would put the WB sensor.

 

Here's mine, it could stand to be moved closer to vertical by like 5 more degrees but it doesn't come close to hitting anything the way it is now.

 

You can put the wideband in your muffler tip for all it matters. Just as long as you don't have exhaust leaks and you don't get a reversion of air into it. It's got a built in heater.

Durka Durka here's mine. Tons of space to get a wrench in there too.

 

Without going into nitty gritty details, they wanted me to pay for shipping back to them for their mistake, but finally agreed to pay both ways. I marked the correct location for the replacement O2 bung, and emailed them pictures of the issue, and included a letter of what needed to be done to make it work. They sent it back to me, with the new O2 bung in the correct location, but even though the pictures speak for themselves, they just welded a plug into the bung, creating even more of an issue. After numerous phone calls back and forth, and after shipping my downpipe back and still not fixed, I was literally told that they won't mess with it anymore and I had to find someone else to fix it on my dime. Great customer service, nothing like paying $400 for a downpipe that doesn't fit and not even willing to fix correctly......

 

Yep!

 

the 7-8 o clock position doesn't bother me....what bothers me is it's facing the side of the car, therefore the routing of the wires will be interesting at best.

i opted for horizontal.

 

Interesting thread.. i'll take a pic of where i'm thinking about. I wanted the wideband and o2 sensor to be maybe 3 inches apart..