Throwing an engine code

[Deltaskier]

Is it normal for my car to give an engine code after installing CAI & headers? I know the comp needs time to recalibrate, but wasn't expecting the code. I unhooked the batt & it went away for a while but came back on.

[Mike TexaSS]

Sometimes you get o2 sensor codes after installing headers. You need tuning.

[khislop007]

But will tuning affect the warranty? Will the car run any better with the tuning or it will jest get rid of the diagnostic codes?

[nards444]

well new headers are going to affect your warranty as well, unless its GMPP. But yeah headers will throw codes because if you get long tubes or short tubes the distance between the two sensors change and the readings are thrown off. So you will have to get a tune to change that. if you dont want to get a tune which without one you wont get the most out of your upgrades, to you could buy the cheap 50 dollar code reader and just delete the code.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by khislop007

But will tuning affect the warranty? Will the car run any better with the tuning or it will jest get rid of the diagnostic codes?

Both... but warranty is pretty much toast... Does that REALLY say Transformers on the side of your car??

Originally Posted by nards444

well new headers are going to affect your warranty as well, unless its GMPP. But yeah headers will throw codes because if you get long tubes or short tubes the distance between the two sensors change and the readings are thrown off. So you will have to get a tune to change that. if you dont want to get a tune which without one you wont get the most out of your upgrades, to you could buy the cheap 50 dollar code reader and just delete the code.

Short Tubes don't change sensor location... and I haven't heard of long tubes throwing codes, many people have installed w/o problem. And it's up to the dealer whether long tubes will affect your warranty,,, most likely not...

[khislop007]

Originally Posted by mlee

Both... but warranty is pretty much toast... Does that REALLY say Transformers on the side of your car??

Yeah it does but not my car........demo at the dealer.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by khislop007

Yeah it does but not my car........demo at the dealer.

Whew... LOL... you're back on the cool guy list again...

[nards444]

headers wont necessarily void the motor warranty if you have a good dealer, but everything behind the header would be voided guarenteed CATS, exhaust assuming any of that is kept stock. But you start doing a lot of stuff, you can start to throw the warranty out the door. And with the LS1 long tube headers threw a code just about everytime. Guys either deleted the sensor or deleted the code.

[10aSSee D]

You should get a tune with your headers. You will gain at least 15-20 more horsepower and can get rid of the code then like everyone else has said most dealers won't say anything about that.

[nards444]

the thing is with a warranty they have to prove that part affected the problem, but at the same time you would have to prove it didnt if something were to arise

[LA_SilverRider]

Originally Posted by mlee

Both... but warranty is pretty much toast... Does that REALLY say Transformers on the side of your car??



Short Tubes don't change sensor location... and I haven't heard of long tubes throwing codes, many people have installed w/o problem. And it's up to the dealer whether long tubes will affect your warranty,,, most likely not...

Long tubes create a lot of problems with O2's. There are usually harness extensions envolved, which creates that many points of terminal contact that changes circuit resistance. Then there is the distance that the O2's are moved to in the exhaust stream. Tuning is the only answer, and the tuner needs to know their stuff.

Our wonderful sales staff sent out a used C5 Convertible to one of the local known speed shops here for headers, catback, CAI, tune, etc. I've had to clear O2 codes out of it twice now, the first time I installed two new O2's and made sure the extensions were making proper contact. Someone test drove it a few weeks ago, the same thing, it sets "insufficient activity" codes if I remember correctly. The tuner needed to turn these codes off and didn't. Once the car is fully warmed up they read and respond fine. It's during those first few minutes of startup that the problems occur.

[Deltaskier]

I wasn't really prepared to void my engine warranty just yet with a tune, but what the heck. It's just a toy. I have the Doug Thorley shorties & the new era CAI. I was hoping the car would adjust itself even if I didn't take full advantage of the gains possible.

Who knows of a tune shop in Houston?

[mlee]

Thanks LA_SilverRider for the first hand info.

Deltaskier... I'm suprised you threw codes with the Thorley shorties. Maybe your dealer will tune it out for you (for a fee of course). Hate to see you totally blow a warranty.

Also, give your PCM a few miles to learn the new airflow. There are lots of shops around here that will tune for you. LMR is having open house Aug 8th, Hennessey out I10 west, Fastlane on 1960. You are in the meca for Camaro tune shops here.

How bout some pics of those headers installed... or better yet Video/sound...

[Deltaskier]

I installed them Saturday morning & have about 400 miles since. Sound is better, from inside at least. BUT, I don't really feel much of a difference "in the seat of my pants" as others have described after installing headers. Of course I didn't dyno it before or after so no real numbers. Hopefully I can get it tuned & dyno'd soon since baseline should be somewhat similar in all 2SS M6's.

No video camera & only an Iphone for a camera so don't hold your breath. Sorry.