Will headers automatically trip a "Check engine" light?

[AMCBimmer]

I have emissions where I live and the monitors all have to be ready. After spending as much as I did I thought these would work :(

Kooks said sorry you need to tune.

[litle88]

ZL1's need a tune anyways!

So you modded your ZL1 and where you live you need your all 4 sensors to show ready correct? So you needed to go back to "Semi" stock and see if you can get away with it, correct?

Then you were like oh there's kooks and green cats, but they don't work for you and its KOOKS fault? I don't get it, you knew the risk modding!

[Nightmare2012]

virginia is not that strict with emmisions so just go ahead and tune it i know down here in south bumf<>k no where texas they dont care bout emmisions lol

[45thCAMARO 2SS/RS]

I have a question, how long can you drive with the CEL light on? Does it do any damage to the car

[Deezee]

OP, if your looking for more sound but don't want to tune I'd buy a set of noweeds diverters or QTP cut outs. They sound pretty good on otherwise stock cars I think. But buying ANY LT set up HF cats or not is too much of a gamble with the light.

I don't know of any LT + tune (only) cars here that blew a motor yet, but like others said, if you can't afford to break it, you might be better off not doing it for now. If you do "dumps" you can always add headers later too!

[thahemp]

Originally Posted by Nutro

I am about to order a full 3" cat-back exhaust to go with my high-flow cats and I am REALLY on the fence with just buying headers and high-flow cats from Texas Speed or Stainless Works and running my axle-back setup. I really really want headers but I am one of the ******s on here that does not want to tune and lose my warranty.

I lost my FT job over a year ago and only working PT right now. I'm not in a position to pay for a motor or trans should I blow it up and be without said warranty. I just cannot afford it.

If I run the O2 extensions, extenders, high-flow cats etc etc with headers am I for sure going to get a CEL? I don't think I can pass inspection with a CEL glowing.

Nutro, I have a suggestion for you.

Buy yourself a wireless OBDII scanner (ELM327) and the Torque Pro app so you can check/clear your own codes. You're ECM can adjust just fine for a CAI and headers with trims. In reality... it's the CAI that screws with your fueling... not the headers so much. You just don't want an always on CEL masking any other potential problems. Then you can do your headers, and as long as you can stand the light being on, you'll be fine.

I couldn't stand the light being on, but I could have ignored it for the headers if I forced myself to. That 3" exhaust will sound MEAN with a set of headers! Food for thought buddy.

[Deezee]

Originally Posted by 45thCAMARO 2SS/RS

I have a question, how long can you drive with the CEL light on? Does it do any damage to the car

A CEL for headers isn't a big deal, it's if you get another problem and trigger the light, it's already on and you might not know! I keep a cheap OBDII scan tool in my glove box and it's saved me a few times. You can probably "feel" most new issues and check it though. When I installed my LTs I completely removed my rear O2's, so I knew I'd get the CEL, but I pulled the codes just to be sure I didn't pop any other stuff. Plugs all out, wires off, working around lots of connections, not to mention the new added heat that could burn through something you missed! Ill pull the codes once a week or so, or INSTANTLY is anything feels funny till I make it to get tuned in the next few weeks. All food for thought.

[AMCBimmer]

Originally Posted by litle88

ZL1's need a tune anyways!

So you modded your ZL1 and where you live you need your all 4 sensors to show ready correct? So you needed to go back to "Semi" stock and see if you can get away with it, correct?

Then you were like oh there's kooks and green cats, but they don't work for you and its KOOKS fault? I don't get it, you knew the risk modding!

Kooks advertises their Green Cats with headers will not throw a CEL. I couldn't find anyone who had them online. I thought they did their research as they are a reputable company. I read a lot of good things about their products.

[thahemp]

You got screwed bimmer. I would call that bullshit too if they are really advertised that way.

[Nightmare2012]

+1 with hemp but +1 with zeke as well the longtubes will throw a code regardless what cats you add.

[trclee]

I installed kooks LT headers hi flow cats and magnaflow 3" cat back and drove for three months with no cel. I was anticipating the light to come on at any moment but never did. I'm not sure why I got lucky but I can't help wondering if it was due to the fact I was running stock air filter?

[thahemp]

You would normally get rear o2 sensor codes still.

[62nalide]

Originally Posted by Nightmare2012

virginia is not that strict with emmisions so just go ahead and tune it i know down here in south bumf<>k no where texas they dont care bout emmisions lol

Depending which part, I was out there 2yrs Richmond, fredricksburg, Fair fax, Lenchberg, Williamsberg etc.... Cops gave me Hell with my Cammed out Denali

But I had "TEXAS" plates so they couldn't touch me on the no cats deal

[62nalide]

Originally Posted by AMCBimmer

Kooks advertises their Green Cats with headers will not throw a CEL. I couldn't find anyone who had them online. I thought they did their research as they are a reputable company. I read a lot of good things about their products.

Take it to Virginia Speed man they can help you tune it and take that check engine light off. Ask them about getting it to pass emissions they build a lot of bad MOFOs out there that pass