I have been reading a lot about how when headers are installed, sometimes the o2 sensors get crossed and causes the computer to run like crap. I recently installed a set of texas speed headers and X pipe onto my 00. I did have to cut the tunnel plate to make sure the sensors were not touching. The only problem with installation was that the right side pipes would vibrate against the body/frame. I didnt really have any time to mess with it so I took it to a corvette shop here. They called me the next day and said that the pipes were done and perfect but the car was running like crap. I went to go talk to them and then took it for a test drive. No power, car idled around 500, had a really bad sound, kept dying, and smelled like gas badly. I limped it back down the street to the shop and said, the sensors are crossed. They said no it is the PCM you need it tuned. My reply, I drove it 40 miles from my house to your shop down the interstate with no problems other than a tapping pipe. I got codes P0151 and P0174. I asked them to check the 02 sensors based on the codes and what I have read here. Does that sound about right?

 

Sounds like a pain, and obviously you don't NEED a re-tune due to headers.

If swapping the connectors (assuming they are crossed) doesn't work, check for any damage on the pigtails or wiring to determine if they have been damaged by the shop. Once the PCM attempts to go to closed loop, it will be looking for feedback from them for fuel trims and will stay in open loop until it receives signal. It they are crossed, they will be trimming for the opposite bank.... bad....

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the reassurance. I had ECS flash the PCM before I took it to the shop to get the exhaust looked at just to tune out the rear 02s and the AIR system. The shop thinks that ECS screwed up. I just dont think so especially since it is giving 02 sensor related codes. But for it to be crossed sensors, the shop would have had to admit that it had made a mistake. I should find out this morning. Of course they will charge me to uncross the sensors that they crossed in the first place.

 

So, I was initially told that they were going to take a look at the O2 sensors this morning. Here we are at 3pm and so far nothing.
Not happy. I hate car mechanics. This is also the same shop that told me that long tube headers provided absolutly no power increases and were only for looks.

 

I just put headers on my 2000 last week and got a mail order tune from ECS as well. all is good on my car I'm sure you know the tune is fine but I just want to pass along some reassurance on that part.
good luck with the fix.

 

Sorry to hear about your troubles! If we can help let us know. Your last sentence is a big red flag on the shop your using. It is common for shops/individuals who are not experienced with installing headers to cross the front 02's like the rears were upon an install. Just make sure that on the front 02's, the left side goes to the left side and right to the right side.



Good to hear! Thanks.

 

Doug, as far as I can tell the tune you guys did was perfect.
I drove the car 40-50 miles from the time I got the PCM back until I took it to the shop. Any issues would have shown itself in that time. I finally got tired of waiting and called and was told that they are hooked up correctly. They still say that the PCM is toast.

 

Well good news, OK not bad news anyway. I made a run over to the shop for a conversation and they are not going to charge me to figure out what the problem is. If it is an 02 sensor they are going to fix it on their dime. I can live with that.

 

got a call today.
he said it was a faulty oxygen sensor and the car is running good now. 3 days later. he wants to keep it until monday to make sure.

geez

 

I am wondering why you went back when they told you LT headers provide no gains? Also there is no reason they need the car over the weekend. Sounds like you need to find a new shop. Tell them you will check it out over the weekend. Simple.

 

no one is there over the weekend. mon-fri only. i was going to take it the other day but when i got there it was running so badly that it wouldnt make it out of the parking lot. nearest place that specializes on corvettes is over a hundred miles away. i sort of didnt have a choice. If they would have been charging me to figure out why it wasnt running i would have taken it. they admitted that they think it might have been something they did so they were not going to charge. i dont have anywhere at home to get it up in the air so i decided to leave it.

 

eh, there are a lot better vettes in there than mine for a weekend joy ride. id take one of the c1 or c2s if i wanted to show off. i have to try and take it with a grain of salt i guess. 2 man operation and over 30 vettes getting worked on. still doesnt make it easy to wait.