Running horribly after TSP headers installed
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 813
Likes: 2
From: Norco La.
Running horribly after TSP headers installed
I just finished installing my TSP headers on my 97 C5 and now it's running real rough. It's idleing at 400 rpms and will not accelerate smoothly. The car is running super rich. It sounds like it has a cam in it. There's a noticible miss while it's trying to accelerate (which you have to give it half throttle before it comes to life).
I removed the cats and the rear O2's. I've read where the rear O2's don't hurt performance. Is this true? I left them off the car. Is this the problem? Do I have to get simulators or get them tuned out?
The only other change I made was the small lines that bolt to the headers. TSP headers don't have a flange to bolt them to so I made plates to "cap" them off.
None of the symptoms I described happened until after the car ran for about five minutes. Ahter the headers were installed I started it up a few times and rev'd it. Then after I got the car off the jack stands I went around the block and that's when it started.
I removed the cats and the rear O2's. I've read where the rear O2's don't hurt performance. Is this true? I left them off the car. Is this the problem? Do I have to get simulators or get them tuned out?
The only other change I made was the small lines that bolt to the headers. TSP headers don't have a flange to bolt them to so I made plates to "cap" them off.
None of the symptoms I described happened until after the car ran for about five minutes. Ahter the headers were installed I started it up a few times and rev'd it. Then after I got the car off the jack stands I went around the block and that's when it started.
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Make sure you didn't cross the front O2 sensor wiring. Sensor on drivers side header goes to drivers side 02 harness, and sensor on pass. side header plugs into passenger side harness. This is a common mistake on longtube headers and the first place I would look at. PM me if you need any further help. 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 813
Likes: 2
From: Norco La.
Yeah, that's what I did. I didn't there was a difference between them. I swapped the wire last night to check and sure enough it cleared up. Now I go swap the sensors. Can someone explain why you can't swap these over?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Originally Posted by Turbosixx
Yeah, that's what I did. I didn't there was a difference between them. I swapped the wire last night to check and sure enough it cleared up. Now I go swap the sensors. Can someone explain why you can't swap these over?
If you have the sensor wiring crossed, the fuel/timing adjustements the PCM makes are affecting the wrong bank of cylinders, and although it probably starts out as a minor imbalance, the adjustments to correct aren't being read, and it snowballs until (as you've noticed) the car runs like crap.
You don't have to swap the actual sensors, you just need to make sure the left sensor is connected to the left side harness, and same with the right. A simple wiring connection error is all it is.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 813
Likes: 2
From: Norco La.
Fixed, I swapped the wiring and it's running like normal. I've noticed an immediate gain with the headers. I've gotten on it once and the car kinda acted up a little after I let off. It cleared up right away. I suppose it's gonna take the computer a little while to learn thje headers. Now for the sound, it's awesome. Sounds like an Indy car.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Originally Posted by jbusmc1986
Just to make sure that I am not crazy.... the front sensors are not crossed but the rears should be right? 
The only problem with crossing the rears is if one goes bad; the PCM error code will point to the opposite side. If the heater element opens up on the right rear sensor... the error code will report that the left rear sensor has the problem.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
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From: Atlanta metro Ga.
Originally Posted by Mike Mercury
the rear sensor wiring is indeed crossed. But swapping them will have no effect on tuning - as the rears only report a go/no-go on the catalytic converters.
The only problem with crossing the rears is if one goes bad; the PCM error code will point to the opposite side. If the heater element opens up on the right rear sensor... the error code will report that the left rear sensor has the problem.
The only problem with crossing the rears is if one goes bad; the PCM error code will point to the opposite side. If the heater element opens up on the right rear sensor... the error code will report that the left rear sensor has the problem.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 813
Likes: 2
From: Norco La.
The rears are left out. I would have to weld bungs in to use them . I just drove the car 10 miles or so with no problems other than the CEL on because of the rear O2's. When I get the converter installed I'm gonna have them tune them out.
