JBA Shorties & Cats on ZL1--Help with CEL

[IcePick06]

Originally Posted by ZO6 Bryan

No way just adding headers and cats would throw anything off that far. They might set a code but it won't affect drivabilty at all. Something is screwed up.

I have a rotofab CAI too tho...

[ZL1-V]

Originally Posted by IcePick06

I haven't read the code this 2nd time so I will have to go back to the shop or the dealership for that. But they assured me there are no leaks at all with the headers and they replaced the spark plug and the cable. I spoke to the shop owner today and he said that with the JBA HF cats and headers you really need to tune because you're running too rich at that point anyway and that's why the power is cutting out (aka the "sputter" I'm feeling only under WOT or full boost). I should also add that if I slowly get on the throttle until it's fully depressed the "sputter" is basically non-existent. So I'm thinking a tune maybe the way to go too; I just hope warranty issues don't arise--but I guess I could always revert back to the stock tune for any engine warranty problems . The other option is take off the JBA cats and swap them for maybe SOLO cats which are supposed to eliminate any CEL. But either way I think by running shorty headers the MAP is way off and with hi flow cats added, the whole system is just flowing way too much and I'm running rich and losing boost under WOT

It sounds as though you are in major need of a tune to get things correct. From what you describe when you stomp on the throttle you get the sputter. That would be too rich. I thought I read in another header post about d/c the rear 02 connectors? You still need a tune!

[AMCBimmer]

Check all spark plugs and wires. You may need a tune but it should not feel that bad. I have Rotofab, Kooks LT's, Kooks Green Cats and mine did the same thing from misfires on the spark plug. The only way it could be the cats being clogged. Check the airflow from the mufflers. Maybe someone left a rag in the cat.

[t&t moyer]

I have JBA shorties and JBA HF cats on my 1LE. As mentioned above buy a pair of extenders first thing, make sure when you put it back together everything is tight / no leaks as I know first hand if an o2 sensor is not tight it will throw a code right away. OK, back on track. I installed the cats & headers with a set of extenders I bought separate and it didn't throw a code for 500-600 miles (just had a tune so now not a worry).

With this set-up no tune is needed.

[SlingShot]

Originally Posted by t&t moyer

I have JBA shorties and JBA HF cats on my 1LE. As mentioned above buy a pair of extenders first thing, make sure when you put it back together everything is tight / no leaks as I know first hand if an o2 sensor is not tight it will throw a code right away. OK, back on track. I installed the cats & headers with a set of extenders I bought separate and it didn't throw a code for 500-600 miles (just had a tune so now not a worry).

With this set-up no tune is needed.

This one is hard to understand ... You state at the end, no tune needed, but yet you got a CEL after 500 miles and got a tune ?

[DangerZL1]

Originally Posted by SlingShot

This one is hard to understand ... You state at the end, no tune needed, but yet you got a CEL after 500 miles and got a tune ?

I read his post as saying he didn't get a CEL for 500+ miles, but had a tune done which eliminate the potential for one.

[t&t moyer]

Originally Posted by DangerZL1

I read his post as saying he didn't get a CEL for 500+ miles, but had a tune done which eliminate the potential for one.

Correct, no CEL and no issues. Yes my wife took the car to New Era for a tune but that had nothing to do with the shorty headers. There are other mods and I'm just taking advantage of them trying to bring everything together & fine tune to it's potential for now. I will be changing out the shorties and HF cats for LTs and no cats in the near future when I'm stateside on vacation and when time allows. Then in the spring going with a cam and Whipple.

My over-all grand scheme / plans changed pretty quick so running shorty headers & HF cats keeping things smog legal and warranty in tact went out the window.

[IcePick06]

Originally Posted by t&t moyer

I have JBA shorties and JBA HF cats on my 1LE. As mentioned above buy a pair of extenders first thing, make sure when you put it back together everything is tight / no leaks as I know first hand if an o2 sensor is not tight it will throw a code right away. OK, back on track. I installed the cats & headers with a set of extenders I bought separate and it didn't throw a code for 500-600 miles (just had a tune so now not a worry).

With this set-up no tune is needed.

*1 week update* I just Drove the entire week without a CEL, didn't go from complete stop to WOT but did get on the power at times, albeit progressively...still no CEL or sputter . Yes, I would agree that with a NA car like yours, the shorties & HF cats only don't warrant a tune. But remember my car is supercharged and also has a CAI--so I have completely different AF ratios from the factory than your 1LE...I think a tune is needed at this point so I'm going to forgo the extenders (since tune will solve that anyway) and just do my other upgrades now and tune it to be done.