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EGR: Put it back or tune it out?

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Old May 18, 2009 | 11:25 PM
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Default EGR: Put it back or tune it out?

I’m a little old school and always hated EGR valves. My "new" car, the ‘99 TA, has some surging. Removing the EGR seemed to cure some of it but when I was at the dyno, they said I’m losing power due to the missing EGR. Of course, the SES light is on.

I know the 2002 cars had no EGR valve. Is there a way to tune it out via say LS1Tune and have the car run like a 2002? Or should I get a new EGR valve and put everything back in.

The surging is annoying. It’s like I’m letting up on the gas then hitting it again-all while holding it steady. Sometimes it’s not too bad. Could this be the TPS? It’s a high miler with 155K+. It runs good, no oil consumption or noise. I’m sure the O2 sensors are original, they’re next to be changed.

Thanks.......
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Old May 18, 2009 | 11:34 PM
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How did you seal the hole at the top of the intake manifold? Maybe it has a leak which is causing the surging. Oh, and definetely leave the EGR off and tune it out. Weight reduction and makes the engine bay less cluttered.
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Old May 18, 2009 | 11:44 PM
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I used the GM seal for the intake manifold. Aftermarket plate for the exhaust manifold port. No leaks here.

After tuning it out, will it pass the emission test?


Last edited by Paul Bell; May 19, 2009 at 12:12 AM.
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Old May 18, 2009 | 11:47 PM
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My vote is to leave it off. One of the most popular mods for 98-00 cars is to upgrade to the LS6 intake, ditching the EGR in the process. I really don't think deleting the EGR will reduce power and upgrading the intake is a proven gain. Tuning to eliminate the CEL isn't a big deal and I'm sure there's a shop close to you that can handle it.
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Old May 19, 2009 | 09:29 PM
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Hey 5.3, what's a CEL? It ain't in the LS1Tech Commonly Used Acronyms list.

OK guys, what do I have to do to tune out the EGR?

Is it worth it to purchase LS1edit?
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Old May 19, 2009 | 09:50 PM
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AHHH, just hit me after looking at it since last night. CEL = SES light
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Old May 20, 2009 | 09:42 AM
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If you have to pass emissions you better leave it on...EGR valves bring down the NOX values (I think) showed on an emissions test.

Even if its just a visual, anyone with half a brain should realize that the EGR valve is missing.
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Old May 20, 2009 | 10:17 AM
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Originally Posted by TooLateVTEC
If you have to pass emissions you better leave it on...EGR valves bring down the NOX values (I think) showed on an emissions test.

Even if its just a visual, anyone with half a brain should realize that the EGR valve is missing.
It may not pass visual check.
As far as i know that when the engine is heated up the EGR valve is closed, so providing you car is warm for the emissions test they will know no different. I've passed emission tests with !EGR, !AIR but emission tests seem to be different depending on your area. I have tuned it out using HPTuners. Is there someone in your area with an LS1 with !EGR and passed?
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Old May 20, 2009 | 03:04 PM
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I've ordered a new EGR valve and will be putting the whole mess back on next week. It's not a matter of the visual inspection, most places here in NYC employ low paid newbies to do the inspections and they wouldn’t know the difference between an engine and a squirrel on a treadmill.

When the inspection machine is connected to the car, it’ll see the codes from the missing EGR and the "not ready" code and it won’t complete the test.
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Old May 20, 2009 | 04:31 PM
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tune it out. just order a mail order tune from frost for 99 and he tunes that stuff out.
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Old May 20, 2009 | 07:09 PM
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Doesn't NYC have the sniffer test?
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Old May 21, 2009 | 11:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Paul Bell
I used the GM seal for the intake manifold. Aftermarket plate for the exhaust manifold port. No leaks here.

After tuning it out, will it pass the emission test?

Hey man do you have the part number for this plug?
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Old May 21, 2009 | 07:56 PM
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