x1rider

I was getting a lot of "catalytic insufficiency" DTC's all winter so I decided to try VW Vortex's Wayne Schmidt's angled O2 sensor spacer.
Here is a pic of the main things required for the installation.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/o3.jpg">
I did the installation from underneath the car so the first step was to remove the heat shield on top of the right axle (3 X 6mm screws).
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/o2.jpg">
That was the hardest part, I had to be creative with the wobble extensions to get the screws off (the top and front screws are most easily removed by getting enough extensions to place the ratchet in the right wheel well).
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/o5.jpg">
After a lot of swearing and knuckle busting, I finally managed to get the little f*cker off.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/o7.jpg">
Pic of the rear O2 sensor from the hood.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/o6.jpg">
Pic of the sensor from underneath the car.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/o8.jpg">
I then unplugged the sensor to give me some slack (the plug is right by the coolant expansion tank).
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/o4.jpg">
I used a long handle ratchet and a Lambda wrench that I got from ECS to get the sensor off the HFC.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/o9.jpg">
Pic of the sensor removed.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/o10.jpg">
I put antiseize on the spacer block's threads.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/o11.jpg">
I inserted the block with the hole facing backwards so I could put the O2 sensor in easily.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/o12.jpg">
I put antiseize on the sensor, I did it from the hood, it was easier than from underneath the car.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/o13.jpg">
I then inserted the sensor in the block, tightened it with the Lambda wrench and tightened the jam nut on the block (27mm).
Pic of the finished product.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/o14.jpg">
I then put the goddamn heat shield back on and replugged the sensor.
I scanned the car with Vag-Com and discovered I had a "latent" DTC, just waiting to light up my dash.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/o1.jpg">
I cleared it and we'll see how well the spacer works.

dagmz6s

If its the stock cat and you're under 80,000 miles, go get the thing replaced instead of driving around with a code.

If it is an HFC, you really made that difficult for yourself. All I did was yank the airbox and I had plenty of room to install the block.

x1rider

No that's the TechTonics Tuning HFC

Matt Devo

2nd removing airbox, HFC install was a breeze that way

x1rider

I could see it but couldn't figure out a way to get to the rear sensor. I just followed Bentley's instructions on how to remove the rear O2 sensor without removing the cat and the car was already jacked. Once you have your extensions combination down, taking out the heat shield is actually less work than taking out the airbox.

dagmz6s

no cat heat shield in the way for me made it really easy to reach it.

x1rider

You're right, my HFC has a huge outer liner that takes quite a bit of space

All Wheel Driver

and it was the rear 02 sensor that caused it.
I used the spark plug arrestor extension on mine and it cured it.
Basically the same principle, move the 02 sensor out of the air stream.

I believe the rear 02 sensor is the one that tells the ECU if the cat is working, and the front one is used to adjust the mixture.

x1rider

So basically the spacer is just to get the sensor away from the air flow

All Wheel Driver

yes, it still gets hot, but isn't directly in the exhaust flow.