Since non foulers pull the O2 sensor away and out of the direct exhaust stream, wouldn't that cause the car to run somewhat poorly b/c it's not reading accurately?

 

The sensors behind the cats aren't the primary sensors.

TK

 

+1, no-problem. The primary sensors are a ways up off the headers i believe.

 

+1
No problems. If it did, the non fouler trick would not be around.

 

No. The heated oxygen sensor 1 signal is sent to the ECM. The ECM adjusts injection pulse duration to achieve the proper air-fuel ratio.

Heated oxygen sensor 2 monitors the oxygen level. Under normal conditions sensor 2 is not used for engine control operation.

EDIT: You cannot remove and discard the oxygen sensors. The ECM monitors the switching frequency of sensors 1 and 2 to detect a catalytic converter malfunction.

 

awesome, just the answer I was looking for. Thanks guys!