Early NA8 O2 sensor?

sprinterfiend · Postby **sprinterfiend** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:50 pm

Hello,
I'm replacing the o2 sensor in my NA8 and according to MX5PartsUK there are two different types (early and late build).

The build date on my Aus delivered NA8 is late 93 but as the UK is a different market I'm not sure which one (if any) is suitable.

Does anyone know which (genuine parts) sensor suits my car?

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:47 am

Late 93 would be considered early build NA8 as there is a slightly different model from 95-97.
Never knew the lambda sensor would be different in any NA8 just as long as you get a four-wire one.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 3:18 pm

As SP says, it should be the early one given yours has a late '93 build date. Sep '93 was the beginning of the build dates for the Aust delivered NA8, with the compliance date being a month or two later. UK didn't get the NA8 any earlier than us.

MX5 Parts UK say: 'Please Note: Mazda supply two different Mk1 4 wire sensors, one up to 1994 and one from 1994. The only difference between them is the heater element'. Again like SP says, the NA8 upgrade occured in Japan in Aug '95 with the Aust market getting these cars end '95/ beginning '96.

For what it's worth, many of us NA8 owners replaced our Nippon Denso 4 wire O2 sensors with locally purchased Bosch units:
viewtopic.php?f=76&t=37547
viewtopic.php?f=77&t=47164

I've run the Bosch LS07 in mine since 2004 not long after I bought the car, which cost under $100, but as 'tbro' says in the above link the Bosch LS05 is closer to NA8 OEM spec.

sprinterfiend · Postby **sprinterfiend** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 5:10 pm

Thanks for the replies. They've helped a lot.

Given the price difference isn't massive (≈135 vs ≈100), Is the LS05 Bosch unit a better sensor than the OEM?

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 5:14 pm

Mt GF has a Bosch one in her NA6, not a problem at all.

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 8:08 pm

hks_kansei wrote:Mt GF has a Bosch one .....

I don't think Pam would appreciate you calling here that :mrgreen:

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 12:05 am

sprinterfiend wrote:Given the price difference isn't massive (≈135 vs ≈100), Is the LS05 Bosch unit a better sensor than the OEM?

Is the Bosch LS05 still around $100 - the one I bought a decade ago was, but don't know how much they are now. Also don't know if direct comparisons have been done between Bosch & Nippon Denso O2 sensors in an NA8. Given the fairly minimal price difference, which may even be more minimal now, if you're at all concerned go for the MX5 Parts UK genuine one, as it's much cheaper (was the last time I enquired) than buying one from a local Mazda dealer.

sprinterfiend · Postby **sprinterfiend** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 1:35 am

Given the extra info from this thread I'll go ahead and buy the OEM sensor.
Thanks again for the replies.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 11:24 am

I hesitate a bit to mention this because I haven't tried it myself yet. The Bosch LS05 and all the OEM units are earlier style thimble units. The current generation of planar Bosch sensors are faster, more accurate, more durable and cheaper.

According to my research the Bosch unit for a 2006+ Falcon is planar and matches the heater impedances and output characteristics needed for an NA8. All you need to do is cut the new wires and solder them onto the old wires to the connector. Genuine Bosch units are on ebay for $44. I've already bought and installed one on my ute. It's genuine.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-BOSCH-OX ... 175&_uhb=1

sprinterfiend · Postby **sprinterfiend** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 11:27 am

Good to know.
My sensors in the post but Ill try the Bosch unit if this one fails early. I very much prefer plug & play but at $44, there isn't a lot to lose.