I just installed a Denso brand direct fit. Here is a picture of what I just took out vs. what I just put in. Obviously there is a huge design difference. But I also discovered that the old one was not installed correctly. It went like this:

Pipe flange
Old crusty gasket
heat shield
newer gasket
sensor flange
nuts


The heat shield is molded in such a way that it could never have gotten a good seal in this configuration. And there is carbon deposits to prove it. When I changed this before I was in a hurry in an AutoZone parking lot. The one in there also was in wrong. So if you guys say that these after markets are already too short, i imagine the 2 extra layers of stuff only reduced it by another 1/4" that is a lot. We shall see how it goes from here.. I will keep yall posted.


The new one i installed this way:

Pipe flange
New Gasket
Sensor
heat shield
nuts

Thank you all!