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[Z06] Vararam problem?

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Old Aug 12, 2005 | 02:06 PM
  #1  
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Default Vararam problem?

Since I installed a Vararam on the Z, I keep getting the fuel lean codes. I drove the car a couple of hundred miles before the problem started.

Here are the 2 codes;
P0171 Fuel Trim System Lean bank 1-B
P0174 Fuel Trim System Lean bank 2-B

Any suggestions?

I may go back to stock if it keeps this up.

Thanks,
Dave
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Old Aug 12, 2005 | 03:35 PM
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Possibly getting an air leak after the MAF? With your couple of hundred miles of driving, maybe something loosened or shifted? Good luck.
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Old Aug 12, 2005 | 03:38 PM
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Dave,

I had the same problem on my Z06 after I installed the VaraRam, with L.G. Motorsports long-tube headers, and Crane 1.8:1 aluminum rocker arms.

The Corvette PCM only has the ability to richen the fuel mixture by 25% from the stock setting. By letting you engine breathe more easily, you may have exceeded the PCM's ability to achieve the correct air-fuel ratios.

That's the situation I found myself in after I installed my mods. I took my car to a reliable tuner who found I was running 14.0 to 14.5:1 WOT air-fuel ratios. He changed my fuel curve, putting me in 12.5 to 13.0:1 WOT air-fuel ratios. PROBLEM SOLVED. No more codes.



.
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Old Aug 12, 2005 | 03:40 PM
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A lot of guys have had the same issue. I got the same codes after installing the Blackwing. The computer thinks the engine is getting too much air and trys to compensate. Try LS1 edit...or one of the other programers out there.
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Old Aug 12, 2005 | 04:03 PM
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I'm surprised to hear this, I've had no issues on mine at all before the tune. But mine ran rich as fark stock.
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Old Aug 12, 2005 | 07:22 PM
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did you disconnect the battery when u installed it? I never showed a code when I installed.
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Old Aug 12, 2005 | 07:43 PM
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my stock 01 did this, well does this.

it did it a lot after I installed it.
I left my battery disconnected for the full 4 hours it took me to install it and my piaa fog lights.

after driving it a bit and reseting those codes. they hardly come back anymore.
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Old Aug 12, 2005 | 07:45 PM
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There's probably some unmetered air getting in past the MAF. I had a check engine light about a month after I installed my Vararam. I got the PO171 Fuel Trim System Lean Bank 1 code. I removed the air intake from the TB to the filter and one of the clamps was loose, not super loose but obviously loose enough to cause the code. I really hammred down on the clamp and reinstalled everything, then I cleared the code and it hasn't come back in 3 weeks. It doesn't take alot of unmetered air to set the code.

Let us know how it goes.


I also disconnected the battery before the install.

Last edited by Richie Carbone; Aug 13, 2005 at 08:57 PM.
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Old Aug 13, 2005 | 07:51 AM
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Thanks for the feedback. I'll unhook the battery today and test drive it tomorrow and I'll double check all the clamps.

Thanks,
Dave
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Old Aug 13, 2005 | 11:52 AM
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Make sure the collar which goes around the throttle body is covering the entire throttle body. I would alos try this unhook the latches make sure the seal around the filter housing is tight I have seen where its not seated right and you WILL SUCK AIR AND GET THOSE CODES!!!!




QUIMBO SEEYAAAH
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Old Aug 13, 2005 | 08:13 PM
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I would almost guarantee you are getting unmetered air after the MAF sensor - check clamps, failing that spray carb/TB cleaner around the connections, if the engine RPM changes you have found your leak.

Les


Originally Posted by R-D Racing
Thanks for the feedback. I'll unhook the battery today and test drive it tomorrow and I'll double check all the clamps.

Thanks,
Dave
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Old Aug 13, 2005 | 08:29 PM
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Originally Posted by ZO6Les
I would almost guarantee you are getting unmetered air after the MAF sensor - check clamps, failing that spray carb/TB cleaner around the connections, if the engine RPM changes you have found your leak.

Les
I just found it. The air coupler hose had a crack along the bottom edge. It looked like it had been put on wrong before and maybe was cut by the clamp. Replaced the coupler, problem solved.

Thanks everyone,
Dave
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Old Aug 13, 2005 | 11:16 PM
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Glad to hear it - BTW I strongly recommend the K&N filter for the Vararam.

Les



Originally Posted by R-D Racing
I just found it. The air coupler hose had a crack along the bottom edge. It looked like it had been put on wrong before and maybe was cut by the clamp. Replaced the coupler, problem solved.

Thanks everyone,
Dave
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Old Aug 14, 2005 | 11:57 AM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by ZO6Les
Glad to hear it - BTW I strongly recommend the K&N filter for the Vararam.

Les
what he said about the K&N
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