My experience with stripped sunshell was in 2000 blazer it made a low whine/grinding sound in the missing gear wouldn't have heard it with exhaust. It lost rev and I think 2nd & 4th I drove it 20 miles home in 3 as it would try for OD. I replaced it the same weekend with one out of 700r4 was...
Mine is 96 5.7 same as O.P
I've tried the spark plug fouler still got CEL, Never tried putting anything in it but I came across a cheaper alternative online than the simulators as long as the o2heater still works went to
Radio Shack picked up 2 ea (1for each side)
microfarad cap 272-1055
mega...
I have 96 also it worked for mine for a while, every couple months would get CEL then found another fix online
just wired
micro farad cap & resistor between signal wire & grn on o2 heater would need to be good no CEL for 2yrs