To tap or not to tap?

[ViPER1313]

but do you really think that running without a proper o2 is going to allow the engine to compensate fuel trims in closed loop mode properly? You probably wont notice that much of a difference, but the difference is there, the ECU is no longer monitoring so lo and mid fuel trims are going to be a guesstimate on your o2 simulator.

I agree to a certain extent, but I also think that you are over exaggerating the role that an o2 sensor plays, at least in an engine /ECU like mine that was originally designed for pre ODB days. Exact optimal fuel mix? Probably not (but o2 sensors arent that accurate anyway) optimal power and fuel economy? probably not. Enough to any damage or any adverse affects, no way.
In the more complicated world of forced induction ECUs the o2 sensor plays a larger role, I have no doubt.

Trying to use an eliminator on the front O2 is risky at best and a horrible idea in any case. When no O2 sensor is hooked up, the ECU will run default trims across the board that have been programmed by the factory, keeping the engine at least partially safe. With an eliminator hooked up to a front O2, the on/off will be a constant rate that the ECU will accept as valid but is not in any way related to how rich or lean the engine is running. I would not be surprised if it made the motor run catastrophically lean at mid RPM / mid throttle operation.