DelSolid wrote:
Bosch derates the life of an O2 sensor by as much as 80% when using leaded fuels, depending on the concentration.
More info:
It's widely known that the service life of an O2 sensor will be shortened based on the lead content of the fuel but the Bosch datasheet for the LSU 4.2 gives values of the de-rating and they are interesting.
Bosch considers the Engineering Design Life of the LSU 4.2 to be 100,000 Miles (160,000 KM) and they consider the service life to be 50,000 Miles (80,000 KM) and they de-rate the sensors based on the lead content of the fuel as follows;
0.0 Grams of lead/gallon = 50,000 Miles
0.6 Grams of lead/gallon = 37,000 Miles (26% less)
1.5 Grams of lead/gallon = 19,000 Miles (62% Less)
2.3 Grams of lead/gallon = 12,000 Miles (76% less)
But that is assuming everything else is optimum, no oil burning, always running close to lambda 1.0, within temp spec, no silicone in the exhaust, etc...
Now, here are some leaded racing fuels and their lead content* (grams/gallon)
3.0 grams for CITGO 110
4.0 grams for PHILLIPS B32
4.0 grams for PHILLIPS B33
4.0 grams for SHELL SRS 110
4.0 grams for SHELL SRS 114
4.0 grams for TRICK 112
4.0 grams for TRICK TURBO 119
4.1 grams for UNOCAL-76 110 STOCK
4.2 grams for VP RACING C-14
4.2 grams for VP RACING C-15
4.2 grams for VP RACING RED
4.2 grams for VP RACING C-11
4.2 grams for VP RACING C-12
4.2 grams for VP RACING C-18
5.0 grams for SUNOCO N.O.S.
6.0 grams for PHILLIPS B37
6.0 grams for SHELL SRS 118
6.0 grams for SUNOCO MAXIMAL #5
6.0 grams for VP RACING C14+
6.0 grams for VP RACING C-16
6.0 grams for VP RACING C-19
6.0 grams for VP RACING C-21
6.0 grams for VP RACING C-23
8.0 grams for VP RACING C-25
* I got the lead figures from:
http://www.smithtex.com/racing/fuelcomp.htmlLiterally every leaded racing fuel listed is
off-the-charts on Bosch's service life de-rating curve.

_________________1969 Plymouth Satellite Wagon with a 440 & TF727
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I work for AEM but am not here schilling for them. Nothing I say is official.