Problems after header install - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

NoChromeZ · 06-08-2014, 10:28 PM

I installed my kooks long tubes this afternoon. When I started it for the first time everything was fine, I let it warm up and took it for a drive. Driving it easy everything felt ok until I tried to go over 3000rpm then it started banging and poping. I brought it home and let it cool down, I took the plugs out and it looked like it was running really lean. I put the plugs back in and it barely started after that, I drove it around the block and the service stabilitrak light would come on for a few seconds then go off. It did this several times within a mile, I made it back to my house and the car was barely running. I checked all the plug wires already, it seemed to run a little smoother when the light was off then it would start surging when the stabilitrak light was on.

I know it needs a tune, mods are roto fab, vmax and long tubes.

Mil · 06-08-2014, 10:50 PM

sounds like an O2 sensor related issue? hook up a code reader and see what codes it's throughing… did you see any check engine lights come on while it was running other than the stability track mssg?

Mean Green Z28 · 06-08-2014, 10:53 PM

Same shit happens to mine. AC makes it worse. And I only have cai and catback.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

NoChromeZ · 06-08-2014, 11:03 PM

The check engine light did come on but I dont have anything to check the codes right now

SamHouseIII · 06-08-2014, 11:20 PM

Are you sure wires are good, sure sounds like a bad wire....

Stephen12ZL1 · 06-09-2014, 07:21 AM

Call Onstar and ask them for the code!

NoChromeZ · 06-09-2014, 12:35 PM

It's throwing a p0300 code

97ChameleonTA · 06-09-2014, 02:03 PM

P0300 = Random misfire

strych9 · 06-09-2014, 02:57 PM

Did you pull the plugs when you installed the headers? If not, I'll bet you cracked one or more.

Stephen12ZL1 · 06-09-2014, 06:46 PM

random misfire definitely means to recheck every connection for the 100th time. Usually it means you need to spray lubricant in the end of the wire or plug connection and confirm you have an audible "click". Broken plug porcelain from the header install is entirely possible if the plugs weren't removed...I have no idea why anyone would attempt a header install with plugs in place...lol!

NoChromeZ · 06-09-2014, 09:35 PM

I had the plugs out when I put the headers in, I put ngk tr6's in it... I guess the car didnt like them, I put new oem plugs in it this afternoon and it runs much better but still set a code for cylinder 8 misfire a few times. I ordered new plug wires from the stealership today.

Stephen12ZL1 · 06-10-2014, 02:00 AM

you should have used an MSD type wire as they can be easier to fit and contorted around the header tubes. The factory wires are difficult and #8 is always the biggest PITA. You probably arent getting a perfect connection there. Use a "coolsock" setup too to prevent burns. http://www.phastekperformance.com/20...ires-32819.htm
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174036

lsx463 · 06-10-2014, 08:05 PM

make sure no wires against header, check starter wires

jeffrop · 06-13-2014, 10:18 PM

Just finished installing my Kooks long tubes and hi-flow cats this evening. Took it out for a test drive and all the lights lit up on the dash (TC off, stabilitrak error on screen, etc.) then randomly they would go off. CEL came on and stayed on of course. The car seemed to idle fine but when I stepped on the gas it would run rough and sounded like the exhaust had a hole in it.

So to make a long story short, we got back to the house and looked under the hood and low and behold I forgot to re-attach one of the plug wires at the coil side. Plugged it in and went for another drive - no more crazy lights on the dash (other than the CEL) and the car absolutely rips when I get on it now!

I know I need a tune but I think the moral is you may have a bad plug wire like others have said above. Good luck!

06-08-2014, 10:28 PM	#1
NoChromeZ Drives: '14 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 19	Problems after header install I installed my kooks long tubes this afternoon. When I started it for the first time everything was fine, I let it warm up and took it for a drive. Driving it easy everything felt ok until I tried to go over 3000rpm then it started banging and poping. I brought it home and let it cool down, I took the plugs out and it looked like it was running really lean. I put the plugs back in and it barely started after that, I drove it around the block and the service stabilitrak light would come on for a few seconds then go off. It did this several times within a mile, I made it back to my house and the car was barely running. I checked all the plug wires already, it seemed to run a little smoother when the light was off then it would start surging when the stabilitrak light was on. I know it needs a tune, mods are roto fab, vmax and long tubes.

06-08-2014, 10:53 PM	#3
Mean Green Z28 Drives: 2010 2SS Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 941 View My Garage	Same shit happens to mine. AC makes it worse. And I only have cai and catback. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk __________________ 2010 2SS - CAI Intake, ADM Scoop, RotoFab Washer relo. LT Headers and off-road pipes, X-pipe, Muffler Deletes, ZL1 Spoiler, Technostalgia Tail-lights '98 T/A (Sold) - Forged 6.0ltr, MS3, P&P'd Heads/Valves, 90MM FAST/TB, Headers, 3" Y-pipe, 4" Mufflex Catback. Koni Adjustables w/GC coilovers (550/175), Strano Sway Bars '94 Z28 (Sold) ... LS1 swap (basically same setup as the T/A), TH350/3500 stall ... swapped it all into the T/A -- >> Some of my Projects My Fquick Page

06-08-2014, 11:20 PM	#5
SamHouseIII I Carry! Drives: 2013 CRT ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Fletcher, Ok Posts: 2,722	Are you sure wires are good, sure sounds like a bad wire.... __________________ I am a Modaholic!! Please Help!! Do Not feed my addicition....See build... http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=261540 From Oklahoma, Join us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/okcamaros/

06-09-2014, 07:21 AM	#6
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	Call Onstar and ask them for the code! __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

06-09-2014, 02:57 PM	#9
strych9 I'll be back... Drives: Subaru, HD Road Glide Special Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 3,036 View My Garage	Did you pull the plugs when you installed the headers? If not, I'll bet you cracked one or more. __________________ Bye bye, Bumblebee! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Build Journal My Garage GoPro Mic Hack

06-08-2014, 10:50 PM	#2
Mil Drives: 2013 Victory Red w/ automatic #671 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: The Bat Cave Posts: 247 View My Garage	sounds like an O2 sensor related issue? hook up a code reader and see what codes it's throughing… did you see any check engine lights come on while it was running other than the stability track mssg?

06-08-2014, 11:03 PM	#4
NoChromeZ Drives: '14 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 19	The check engine light did come on but I dont have anything to check the codes right now

06-09-2014, 12:35 PM	#7
NoChromeZ Drives: '14 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 19	It's throwing a p0300 code

06-09-2014, 02:03 PM	#8
97ChameleonTA Drives: 2013 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Valrico, FL Posts: 515	P0300 = Random misfire __________________ 2013 ZL1 Auto Convertible - BRM Best: 10.829@127.15 FI Interchiller, Roto-Fab CAI, Big Gulp & Res, 9.1/2.5 Pulleys, PB&S, DeatschWerks 1500cc, Fore triple pump, Pfadt LT's, RD HX, MT DR's New times to come with E85 2016 2SS Auto - Hyper Blue Metallic Roto-Fab CAI

06-09-2014, 06:46 PM	#10
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	random misfire definitely means to recheck every connection for the 100th time. Usually it means you need to spray lubricant in the end of the wire or plug connection and confirm you have an audible "click". Broken plug porcelain from the header install is entirely possible if the plugs weren't removed...I have no idea why anyone would attempt a header install with plugs in place...lol! __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

06-09-2014, 09:35 PM	#11
NoChromeZ Drives: '14 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 19	I had the plugs out when I put the headers in, I put ngk tr6's in it... I guess the car didnt like them, I put new oem plugs in it this afternoon and it runs much better but still set a code for cylinder 8 misfire a few times. I ordered new plug wires from the stealership today.

06-10-2014, 02:00 AM	#12
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	you should have used an MSD type wire as they can be easier to fit and contorted around the header tubes. The factory wires are difficult and #8 is always the biggest PITA. You probably arent getting a perfect connection there. Use a "coolsock" setup too to prevent burns. http://www.phastekperformance.com/20...ires-32819.htm http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174036 __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

06-10-2014, 08:05 PM	#13
lsx463 Drives: z06 SS, notch Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: pa Posts: 16	make sure no wires against header, check starter wires

06-13-2014, 10:18 PM	#14
jeffrop Drives: 2020 ZL-1 M6 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 42	Just finished installing my Kooks long tubes and hi-flow cats this evening. Took it out for a test drive and all the lights lit up on the dash (TC off, stabilitrak error on screen, etc.) then randomly they would go off. CEL came on and stayed on of course. The car seemed to idle fine but when I stepped on the gas it would run rough and sounded like the exhaust had a hole in it. So to make a long story short, we got back to the house and looked under the hood and low and behold I forgot to re-attach one of the plug wires at the coil side. Plugged it in and went for another drive - no more crazy lights on the dash (other than the CEL) and the car absolutely rips when I get on it now! I know I need a tune but I think the moral is you may have a bad plug wire like others have said above. Good luck!