LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

bad miss after header install

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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 03:52 PM
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Default bad miss after header install

I got the headers installed last week, and had the car running just fine for a couple of days, but now the car has a bad miss in it. New plugs and wires were installed in it last year, so I reused those becuase they were just fine. 1 new o2 sensor, and one that is a few years old. When the tech 1 is plugged into it the o2 activity looks normal. Can brand new stainless foul out the o2's? The headers are LPPs.
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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 03:57 PM
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absolutely your o2 could be fouled out from the headers.
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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 03:59 PM
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That would cause it to run like it has a miss then?
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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 04:04 PM
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It's doubtful that your uncoated headers are affecting the O2s. O2s have a coating around the element to prevent damage to the zircona. Ceramic coating has been known to cause degradation of this coating, but uncoated stainless has no major contaminants that can foul them out.

95% of mis-fires after header installs are caused by wiring/plug issues. Take a look under the hood at night and look for any spark leakage.

JMO.
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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 04:17 PM
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Stainless headers can still have impurities from the production/shipping/install process that can cause the o2s to foul.
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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 04:17 PM
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I suppose it could be the plug wires, but... The car ran like it was on the top of the world for two full days before today. So, I don't know I guess.
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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 04:22 PM
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I forgot also that the service engine soon light came on sunday, but the car still ran absolutely fine. Does that help diagnose anything?
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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 04:24 PM
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Its off now.
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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 04:26 PM
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Get what codes its throwing, then post back.
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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 04:43 PM
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It didn't have a code. The light is out now and the only code it has is an intermittent egr code. It always has a miss. No matter how fast the engine is turning though, so my mechanic and I are pretty positive that the egr thing has nothing to do with it. If that had anything to do with it the car would run fine going down the highway, but it doesn't. And no I don't have a bad mechanic, so don't even start on that.
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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 04:55 PM
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Sounds like a burnt plug wire to me. Check all your wires for cracks, burns etc..
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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 05:36 PM
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^You were right. Thanks for the help guys!
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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 06:00 PM
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Damn it! Now I need new plug wires. I guess its time for an upgrade. What do you guys use to keep the wires away from the primaries? I was using zip ties, and that is why it ended up touching the header. One of the zipties melted. I had plug wire separator type things (I don't know exacly what to call them) but they wouldn't fit/hold the wires away so I didn't use them.

Last edited by Slow94Formula; Aug 2, 2010 at 11:31 PM.
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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 06:17 PM
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yes check for a burnt up plug wires, those headers can do it in a heart beat! good luck!
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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 07:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Slow94Formula
Damn it! Now I need new plug wires. I furess its time for an upgrade. What do you guys use to keep the wires away from the primaries? I was using zip ties, and that is why it ended up touching the header. One of the zipties melted. I had plug wire separator type things (I don't know exacly what to call them) but they wouldn't fit/hold the wires away so I didn't use them.
Go with the MSD 8.5mm wires routed in the stock locations. A combination of heat sleeves, wire separators, and zip-ties should be all you need to keep from burning your wires.
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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Slow94Formula
Damn it! Now I need new plug wires. I furess its time for an upgrade.
I meant "guess" stupid phone.
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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 11:46 PM
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dont use heat sleeves it not a good idea to hide the wires just use zip ties and wire sep like a **** and dont rest them on the block or the headers!!
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Old Aug 3, 2010 | 12:13 AM
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Are metal zip ties a good idea to keep them from melting?
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Old Aug 3, 2010 | 12:28 AM
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no use high temp plastic you dont want them arching out
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Old Aug 3, 2010 | 12:33 AM
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Oh yea. Guess that didn't cross my mind...
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