Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

[Z06] O2 codes after Installing Headers

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 23, 2008 | 06:29 PM
  #1  
rgforrest's Avatar
rgforrest
Thread Starter
1st Gear
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default O2 codes after Installing Headers

I’m the original owner of a 2002 C5 Z06. I’ve installed a Vararam VR-2B ram air intake, Dynatech LT exhaust system (headers, high flow cats, x-pipe) and Borla Stinger cat-backs. I have NOT changed the factory program.

After driving several hundred miles I started to see front O2 sensor codes (P1033 & P1053). I’d clear them and they would continue to come back. There is also residue building up at the tips indicating that the car is now running rich (dark black, cakey build-up, UG! ). Because of the codes I’m not able to pass the Texas pollution inspection.

I’ve taken the car to the GM dealer who after two weeks which included replacing the front O2 sensors has been unable to resolve the reason for the O2 codes. The GM mechanic felt that I had a sever carbon build-up problem. After a lot of injector cleaner and 2, 4-hour highway runs I’m still throwing the same front O2 codes.

Any comments/help would be GREAT!!!
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2008 | 06:40 PM
  #2  
Millenium Z06's Avatar
Millenium Z06
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 22,632
Likes: 940
Default

Most people get the rears (0430 and 0420) to throw a code after header installs, I did. You may have to go and get a tune done. The obvious thought would be that they are connected wrong but since you say the dealer I assume they double checked that; could be wrong though.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2008 | 09:09 PM
  #3  
sublime1996525's Avatar
sublime1996525
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 31,233
Likes: 201
From: Utah
Default

I got the 0420 code after my header install. Something is probably installed wrong.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2008 | 09:23 PM
  #4  
got2hav1's Avatar
got2hav1
Safety Car
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 60 Days
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,936
Likes: 1,921
From: NC
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
Default

Originally Posted by rgforrest
I’m the original owner of a 2002 C5 Z06. I’ve installed a Vararam VR-2B ram air intake, Dynatech LT exhaust system (headers, high flow cats, x-pipe) and Borla Stinger cat-backs. I have NOT changed the factory program.

After driving several hundred miles I started to see front O2 sensor codes (P1033 & P1053). I’d clear them and they would continue to come back. There is also residue building up at the tips indicating that the car is now running rich (dark black, cakey build-up, UG! ). Because of the codes I’m not able to pass the Texas pollution inspection.

I’ve taken the car to the GM dealer who after two weeks which included replacing the front O2 sensors has been unable to resolve the reason for the O2 codes. The GM mechanic felt that I had a sever carbon build-up problem. After a lot of injector cleaner and 2, 4-hour highway runs I’m still throwing the same front O2 codes.

Any comments/help would be GREAT!!!
I got the codes too after LG pro install. First make sure you have no leaks. I had to fix leaks on both sides. Codes still appeared. Finally bought two new sensors and replaced, codes went away and haven't come back yet. But I see you have already replaced yours . Did you use GM sensors. Unfortunately this is pretty common with long tube installs. You can search the forum there is a ton of stuff on the subject.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2008 | 11:35 PM
  #5  
striper's Avatar
striper
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Default

If you call Doug at East Coast Supercharging he will explain to you what is going on. He probably can fix your computer by mail. 609-752-0321.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2008 | 11:55 PM
  #6  
Blue Blood's Avatar
Blue Blood
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 116
From: North Dallas Forty Orange County, Ca.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13, '15,'21
Default

Had the same problem. After about a month now I've been clear.

I purchased the adapter plugs from LG and switched the rear O2's to the front. Don't know if it's because the rear sensors supposedly burn hotter and react faster (I've read this several places) or if they were new, but it's working.

You will need the tune, and I would suggest using some seafoam (search) to clean intake passages and the motor top end (change oil afterwards).

good luck.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2008 | 12:15 AM
  #7  
jclarksnakes's Avatar
jclarksnakes
Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 693
Likes: 92
From: Savannah GA
Default

You may have the connectors for the sensors crossed. It has happened before.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To O2 codes after Installing Headers





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:53 PM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE