post header install problems (HELP!)
post header install problems (HELP!) i installed my pacesetters and the install went very smoothly. now that i'm driving it i'm not that happy though. first of all the car does not run well. i know i have one bad O2 sensor and i'm running O2 simms but i still get a flashing SES after 30 mph. the car also bogs down a ton. in 6th at 60 the shifter rattles and the car literally chugs. i didn't think that headers were supposed to cause a dramatic low end loss. it also sounds like crap. i'm pretty sure i'm missing and my exhaust sounds higher and quieter, but not in a good way. i thought headers were supposed to make it louder and deeper? i liked the sound of my flowmaster much better before. any ideas about what is wrong?
might be getting a missfire code because of a plug wire not being connected all the way...that usually causes a flashing ses and running on 7 cylinders would definitly not give yout he most power 
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 693
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington, DE
If your running simms swap out one of the rear o-2's to the front or both if you think it's an O-2 sensor double check your plugs and wires.Believe it or not my number plug 1 wire was off on the coil pack how'de I misss that !!!
TECH Resident
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
From: Marysville, OH
Flashing SES while driving was a missfire for me and the problem was a wire. Just my $.02
Edit: as far as the exhaust note. I was inducted into the realm of rasp with my LT's so I do not think Headers make for a deeper note in all cases. BTW I have LT's and a LM cat back minus the cats of course.
Edit: as far as the exhaust note. I was inducted into the realm of rasp with my LT's so I do not think Headers make for a deeper note in all cases. BTW I have LT's and a LM cat back minus the cats of course.
i've had the same prob except constant not fllashing SES light.. it was the front '02s they need to be extended and plugged in.. .. otherwise the car will run like crap.
screw those puppies in tight.
the rear '02s wont affect performance but will throw an SES light if you don't have them LS1 edited out.
also after header install its likely you might of cracked a spark plug during the install.. i went ahead and replaced mine car finally runs 'ok'
screw those puppies in tight.
the rear '02s wont affect performance but will throw an SES light if you don't have them LS1 edited out.
also after header install its likely you might of cracked a spark plug during the install.. i went ahead and replaced mine car finally runs 'ok'
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Might want to check clearance on Pacesetters too.. mine
dynod super low with a cam at 355rwhp and felt barely
faster than stock. My headers were hitting the k-member
hard and I had a small vacuum leak.. fixed those two and
it gained an ASSLOAD.. I'm just assuming that I was getting
knock retard from the headers banging the k-member.
Peace,
dynod super low with a cam at 355rwhp and felt barely
faster than stock. My headers were hitting the k-member
hard and I had a small vacuum leak.. fixed those two and
it gained an ASSLOAD.. I'm just assuming that I was getting
knock retard from the headers banging the k-member.
Peace,
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Verdad Gallardo hey, i changed all the plugs after the install so none of them are damaged. i'll check for loose wires tomorrow. hopefully that will fix my less than satisfactory exhaust note as well. i'm also asuming that the rear O2 simms are the same as the front ones? thanks for the input.
oh i forgot.. i did pacesetters too and the driver side down at the K-member was pushed right up against the header.. rubbed bad killed hp..
take it too a muffler shop.. they blow torched the k-member down made me kinda neverous but it worked.. at a certain temp it will melt the composite metal and not metal the steel of the headers
take it too a muffler shop.. they blow torched the k-member down made me kinda neverous but it worked.. at a certain temp it will melt the composite metal and not metal the steel of the headers
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
I've had a similar problem. The car just doesn't sound as clean as before with the headers. And the RPM would rev up faster. Air flow seems to be not all going through the exhaust. Can't explain it. And check-enginelight would come on at certain times when hitting the gas all the way.
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
Originally Posted by Slowhawk
A bad front 02 will make the car run like crap.Also the headers hitting the frame would.
Kinda OT, but is it safe to drive the car without the rear O2's attached, no O2 simms either, just the wires hanging out. I need to drive the car to the exhaust shop to have the Cats and O2 bungs welded in. Safe?
You definately have a miss that is causing it to run like crap. It will also sound like crap with a bad miss and not want to rev. It's a lose wire or a bad plug.
Ferocity02- It's fine to leave the rears unplugged, but it will set a code. You need to clear the codes after you get the exhaust welded up.
Ferocity02- It's fine to leave the rears unplugged, but it will set a code. You need to clear the codes after you get the exhaust welded up.
hey guys, just for an update it was a sparkplug wire. the little sucker managed to slip off and was just hanging there. it must have been loose and the vibrations got to it. now my car runs and sounds waaaaay better. thanks for the info.
