Dynamometer Results & Comparisons Dyno Records | Dyno Discussion | Dyno Wars

why is it running lean?

Old Apr 17, 2006 | 11:59 AM
  #1  
Radcat's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Stillwater
Default why is it running lean?

Had the car dynoed and it put down 328hp and 333tq. I thought that was kind of low with the mods that I have and stock tune. I was kind of worried also because the a/f was 13.6. I was told it makes more power when it runs lean but is there a point where running too lean hurts the power? I checked the fuel pressure and it was right at 60psi so I don't think the pump is going bad. What else would cause it to run lean? Bad o2 sensors?
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 02:17 PM
  #2  
H/C LS6Z's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 970
Likes: 0
From: Dallas/CS/Nacogdoches
Default

Could be a number of things. When i put on my LT's my car ran like 14:1 lean. You need to get a tune and get that corrected. You won't pick up allot more HP but will see a few more ponies
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 03:10 PM
  #3  
Radcat's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Stillwater
Default

The guys at the dyno said most of the LS1s they dyno put down 12.8 with LT. I don't want to tune it if there is still another problem. I just filled up and got my worse mpg ever at 13.4mpg. Think this has something to do with it also?
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 03:42 PM
  #4  
Patrick G's Avatar
LS1 Tech Administrator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 34
From: Victoria, TX
Default

If you still have cats and they were sticking the A/F probe up the tail-pipe, then you're actually closer to 12.8 to 1 than 13.8 to 1. Cats and tailpipe probes commonly show leaner numbers than that are actually taking place. Not all tuners know this.
__________________

2013 Corvette Grand Sport A6 LME forged 416, Greg Good ported TFS 255 LS3 heads, 222/242 .629"/.604" 121LSA Pat G blower cam, ARH 1 7/8" headers, ESC Novi 1500 Supercharger w/8 rib direct drive conversion, 747rwhp/709rwtq on 93 octane, 801rwhp/735rwtq on race fuel, 10.1 @ 147.25mph 1/4 mile, 174.7mph Half Mile.
2016 Corvette Z51 M7 Magnuson Heartbeat 2300 supercharger, TSP LT headers, Pat G tuned, 667rwhp, 662rwtq, 191mph TX Mile.
2009.5 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0L, A6, AFR 230v2 heads. 506rwhp/442rwtq. 11.413 @ 121.29mph 1/4 mile, 168.7mph TX Mile
2000 Pewter Ram Air Trans Am M6 heads/cam 508 rwhp/445 rwtq SAE, 183.092 TX Mile
2022 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L A10 S&B CAI, Corsa catback.
2023 Corvette 3LT Z51 soon to be modified.
Custom LSX tuning in person or via email press here.

Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 04:08 PM
  #5  
brad8266's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 0
From: Watertown, NY
Default

my car ran lean after doing full exhaust no cats, no biggie though, just get a tune to make it richer.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 04:37 PM
  #6  
Radcat's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Stillwater
Default

Originally Posted by Patrick G
If you still have cats and they were sticking the A/F probe up the tail-pipe, then you're actually closer to 12.8 to 1 than 13.8 to 1. Cats and tailpipe probes commonly show leaner numbers than that are actually taking place. Not all tuners know this.
I don't have any cats.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 04:45 PM
  #7  
98NBMZ's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Default

Did Jason tune it or have you even had it tuned yet?
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 04:48 PM
  #8  
Optimus_Prime's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
From: London, England
Default

Would getting just a GMMG catback cause the car to run lean?
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 04:50 PM
  #9  
brad8266's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 0
From: Watertown, NY
Default

Originally Posted by Optimus_Prime
Would getting just a GMMG catback cause the car to run lean?
Mine ran a bit lean after only a few simple mods. Just get a tune if it being somewhat lean bothers you. If it doesnt knock at all then you have nothing to worry about.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 07:27 PM
  #10  
fguy1998's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: mt. holly springs, pa
Default

for a mostly stock engine that is not lean. perfect is 14.7:1 for most engines. so running 13:1 is not going to hurt your engine it is actually running rich. it's when you get alot of mods that they richen up the a/f to get the most performance out of your mods.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 07:32 PM
  #11  
Mazzenger's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 747
Likes: 4
From: Oklahoma
Default

The addition of LTs fattend mine to 12.5 to 1 with not cats.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 06:25 PM
  #12  
Radcat's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Stillwater
Default

Originally Posted by Mazzenger
The addition of LTs fattend mine to 12.5 to 1 with not cats.

That's what I have heard most of them are at with LT. That's why when mine is at 13.6 I think something is up with the car.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 06:27 PM
  #13  
Radcat's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Stillwater
Default

Originally Posted by 98NBMZ
Did Jason tune it or have you even had it tuned yet?
No he hasn't tuned it yet. I want to find out what is wrong now. I don't want to tune out a mechanical problem just to have it get worse or fail on me later on.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 07:48 PM
  #14  
Chris81's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: Midland, Tx
Default

Originally Posted by Radcat
I don't have any cats.
Even if you don't have cats, running the wideband in the tailpipe (with a muffler) can skew the AFR.. The best way to get an accurate reading is with using a cutout or using a wideband that is tapped into the exhaust pipe with the use of a bung (best way).
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 07:54 PM
  #15  
black_z's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,322
Likes: 0
From: Midwest
Default

Do you have any exhaust leaks? If there is the vacuum from the exhaust can be pulling air in through the leak.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 07:55 PM
  #16  
brad8266's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 0
From: Watertown, NY
Default

Originally Posted by fguy1998
for a mostly stock engine that is not lean. perfect is 14.7:1 for most engines. so running 13:1 is not going to hurt your engine it is actually running rich. it's when you get alot of mods that they richen up the a/f to get the most performance out of your mods.
You are dead wrong. 14.7 is what is used during closed loop (non-WOT) normal driving. When you floor it the computer goes into PE mode which adds a specified amount of fuel while at WOT. My stock tune was commanding for a AFR of 11.8:1. Did I actually get that? NO. I was around 14.0. For even near stock motor a tune to around 13.0 is a good area to be in.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 09:40 PM
  #17  
383ss's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, KS
Default

Originally Posted by fguy1998
for a mostly stock engine that is not lean. perfect is 14.7:1 for most engines. so running 13:1 is not going to hurt your engine it is actually running rich. it's when you get alot of mods that they richen up the a/f to get the most performance out of your mods.

wow, talk about getting bad info on the internet



also, 02 sensors have absolultely no effect on WOT a/f.

the only thing you need is a tune. part throttle and WOT. your part throttle tuning is causing your poor MPG. the best way to tune is on the street with a wideband. I would suggest doing that if possible.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2006 | 12:15 AM
  #18  
Radcat's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Stillwater
Default

Originally Posted by 383ss

also, 02 sensors have absolultely no effect on WOT a/f.
Wow I feel stupid. I knew that

What makes me worry though is that I hear most ls1s with LT are around 12.8 or so and I'm quite a bit higher than that. Do you really think it's because of the stock tune or could it be something else? Do you think my stock pump could be going out(72k on it)?
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2006 | 05:49 PM
  #19  
Chris81's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: Midland, Tx
Default

My car with headers when it was untuned was at 12.0 across the board..

My stock pump has 104k on it with ZERO problems, if it was you would probably be able to tell because the car wouldn't run well at all.

Was you car going through the muffler on the dyno? (wideband in the tailpipe after the muffler)
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2006 | 07:00 PM
  #20  
Radcat's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Stillwater
Default

Originally Posted by Chris81
Was you car going through the muffler on the dyno? (wideband in the tailpipe after the muffler)
The car has bullet mufflers then dumps. I'm not sure if it was after or in the mufflers since they are so close to the dumps.
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:03 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE