replacement O2 sensors arent much more then replacement narrow band sensors... and for the 20-30 price diff, i would rather loose my wide band then loose my narrow band while driving and have the car go into limp mod.... if your modd'd and did all your tuning for closed loop then if it goes to read off the VE in limp mod and your not tuned there... you have a lot more damage on your hands then a bad wide band.
If your worried about the sensor, have a piece of steel welded under the car to protect it. like a skid plate! but i think there should be space between the fire wall and the engine cradle.
