ok i'm assuming the metal tube in the back of the engine bay is/was the O2 sensor (its a metal tube that was in my stock exhaust manifold that went into the back of the block, i'm assuming that that is the passenger side O2 sensor on the passenger side). If it is, how did anyone else with a 97 w/ longtube headers make an extention and if that isn't the O2 sensor could someone please tell me where the front passenger O2 sensor harness could be found. I searched for this topic but no one had a 97.

 

I am pretty sure you got the right thing, If you get long tube headers then u need to buy o2 wire exstentions, i got mine from jethot.com just called them up. I head you can get them at a few other f-body performance shops too.

just a lil advice, if you plan on getting new 02 sensors wait for about a month of driving with the long tubes on. Some ppl think the new headers will cause the 02s to go bad for one reason or another

 

Appears you are describing the corrugated metal tube, about 5/8" diameter, that ran from the #8 exhaust runner, to the back of the intake manifold? Is that it? If so, it is not the O2 sensor, and has NOTHING to do with the O2 sensors. That is the EGR riser tube, that supplies exhaust gas from the passenger side exhaust manifold to the back of the intake manifold.

You 1997 dual-cat car had 4 O2 sensors. You will need to install and connect at least the two front (pre-cat) sensors, to satisfy the PCM's A/F ratio control system. The driver's side O2 sensor was screwed into the drivers side exhaust manifold, at the base, right above the cat in the Y-pipe. The passenger side O2 sensor was located on the Y-pipe, just below the passenger side exhaust manifold connection. Both those sensors need to be relocated to the collectors on your long tubes.

You had to unplug those sensors to pull the old Y-pipe and exhaust manifolds out. The wires on the passenger side hang down near the starter, and have a flat 4-wire connector on them. On the drivers side, the harness connector is going to be close to the oil filter area.

As far as the EGR riser tube, many long tube headers do not have that connection on the #8 primary. In that case, you need to remove the metal tube, and get a block-off plate for the hole in the back of the intake manifold.