What kind of tuning do I need??
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From: Mt. Prospect
What kind of tuning do I need?? I installed Pacesetter Headers and a Y-pipe and NGK plugs a few weeks ago, and ever since then my car has been running pretty crappy.
When I am sitting in drive at a stoplight, for instance, it just feels like it's going to die and the oil pressure dips lower than normal and is very jumpy. Then, once I hit the gas, the engine boggs down and simply put, is not a smooth acceleration. It's not missing at all, but it just feels choppy until I reach cruising speed.
I know I need a tune of some sort, but I am not sure whether something like a handheld tuner will do the job, or do I need a dyno tune?
Has anyone had a similar problem after installing headers? How did you fix it?
When I am sitting in drive at a stoplight, for instance, it just feels like it's going to die and the oil pressure dips lower than normal and is very jumpy. Then, once I hit the gas, the engine boggs down and simply put, is not a smooth acceleration. It's not missing at all, but it just feels choppy until I reach cruising speed.
I know I need a tune of some sort, but I am not sure whether something like a handheld tuner will do the job, or do I need a dyno tune?
Has anyone had a similar problem after installing headers? How did you fix it?
I've never heard of a problem like this being caused from headers. Do you have any exhaust leaks? Are you throwing any codes? Is your oil filter on tight & all the plugs secured in the heads, and all the wires on tight? Is the engine coolant sensor plugged in securly in the front of the driver side head?
You will likely be slower with headers from running very rich. That might give you some bogging or doggy feeling. But as for the rest sounds like you don't have plug wires on all the way. Usually only tuning needed for headers is to lean the car down.I did it in mine just fine with a maf translator.
Mine car acted up a little after I put headers on but I thought it was just me and I've been putting up with it. Now I doing a heads/cam so tuning is soon to follow. But I would agree that it wasn't quite running right after headers change.
your o2s can be fouled out which will cause a bad idle...a bad idle in return will cause the oil pressure issue......your cars driving better at cruise because our cars dont use as much of the tune or the sensor when its up that high of an rpm...
Thread Starter
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From: Mt. Prospect
Originally Posted by jimmypop13
I've never heard of a problem like this being caused from headers. Do you have any exhaust leaks? Are you throwing any codes? Is your oil filter on tight & all the plugs secured in the heads, and all the wires on tight? Is the engine coolant sensor plugged in securly in the front of the driver side head?
Thread Starter
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From: Mt. Prospect
Originally Posted by staringback05
your o2s can be fouled out which will cause a bad idle...a bad idle in return will cause the oil pressure issue......your cars driving better at cruise because our cars dont use as much of the tune or the sensor when its up that high of an rpm...
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When I fired up the car after headers/catback/intake, it did run rough for a few start ups but it then felt better after a few days and seems to running okay. I havent seen the idle problems you are talking about so something might be lose.
Thread Starter
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From: Mt. Prospect
Originally Posted by Fb0dy0nly
When I fired up the car after headers/catback/intake, it did run rough for a few start ups but it then felt better after a few days and seems to running okay. I havent seen the idle problems you are talking about so something might be lose.
Yea - I think I am going to just replace the wires this weekend and see where that gets me.
Originally Posted by MY99TAWS6
You will likely be slower with headers from running very rich.
They make your car leanER, because you are adding additional air to a fixed amount of fuel. People have gone over this over and over.
I have tuned dozens of header only LS vehicles, and not one single time did one end up richer than it was from GM, with the headers installed and untuned. Just the opposite. They ALL are around a full point leanER with headers, and untuned.
As for the OPs original problem, it may be as simple as the 02s being crossed. As in, the right connected to the left bank and vise versa. I have seen that cause some pretty funky issues.
PS. Good chance its a miss also. Cracked plug, wire not on all the way, etc. But going by what he said, no miss, it may be crossed 02s. Seen it in vettes, dont know if you can cross em in a Fbody.
Thread Starter
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From: Mt. Prospect
Originally Posted by edcmat-l1
PS. Good chance its a miss also. Cracked plug, wire not on all the way, etc. But going by what he said, no miss, it may be crossed 02s. Seen it in vettes, dont know if you can cross em in a Fbody.
Originally Posted by bjoneill98
Yea - I am definitely going to check the plugs and wires. I tagged the sensors as soon as I pulled them off, so I know they didn't get crossed.
Originally Posted by Fb0dy0nly
Never really realized there was a difference and didnt take that into account when I put um on the new headers but the car seems to be running fine. Any signs of what would be different if they were switched so I dont have to test it or any way of telling which is which?
I dont mean if you switched em when you put them in the headers, I mean if the right bank is plugged into the left bank and vice versa.
