I installed a set of race style headers on my 2002 Z06 today.

Here's the story...During the install I broke one of the spark plug wires so I bought a new set. I only used one of the wires from the new set because they are longer than OEM and were leaning on the LTs. So, right now my car has 7 OEM plug wires and one OEM replacement from Advanced Auto Parts.

The system...the headers and x-pipe were bolted together will sleeves/collars/whatever they're called. These things definitely leave gaps for exhaust leaks.

Dipstick...I was a little lost when reinstalling the dipstick tube. I have it bolted to the same place the OEM dipstick tube was installed. I wasn't quite sure where the dipstick should rest after going through the tube, though. My car's dipstick is laying in what looks like (hard to see) a hole about the diameter of a quarter in the oil pan. Is this the correct placement of the tube/stick? I ask because I spilled ZERO oil during the install yet my oil warning light is showing on the HUD. At idle my oil pressure reads 39 psi.

On to the drive...When I first started the car up I was feeling great. After driving it for about 3 seconds I was feeling like ****. Whenever I accelerated or shifted I would get backfires. The exhaust sounded horrible when it wasn't backfiring...something I'm guessing is attributed to exhaust leaks. There is also so shimmering/shaking while driving, almost like the car wants to stall out.

I checked the plugs/wires and all were good. I'm wondering if this could be caused by using mix-matched wires. I'm also wondering if the backfiring and disgusting noise could be caused by leaks. And what's up with the oil warning light?

FYI, the car hasn't been tuned yet, though I doubt a tune will change these things anyway.

Please chime in, experts.

 

Pulled possible codes from the DIC yet?

 

Crossed O2's? Could be about anything as the install did not appear to go to smoothly.

 

I bet P0300 Missfire code showing. Plug(s) (cracked) or bad, wires (broken inside but look good), wires not FULLY seated onto the coil packs or plugs (did you hear or feel them snap in?).

How did you handle you o2 sensors. Cross wired?, Rears to the front? All 4 being used?

Pull your codes

 

The DIC is only pulling up "H" codes. There isn't a single "Current" code in the DIC, even though the check engine stuff is on.

I'm going to go start the vehicle to generate the check engine light then turn it off and see if one pops up.

 

I do have a P0300 code but it's accompanied by a "H" instead of "C". I'm assuming that must be something from the previous owners? I don't know.

The only plug I didn't hear or feel snap in was the one replacement from Advanced.

I'm using just the front 02s. Right to right, left to left.

 

I just went and re snapped the plugs in. All the plugs on the driver's side were secured, and all the plugs on the passenger side snapped in when I pushed them.

I have the car running right now and just heard another back fire (I understand that's normal after installing LTs/removing cats). Could this had been the cause of my issues?

There's also a ticking noise I'm hearing now that I don't recall hearing before.

 

Ticking can be an exhaust leak but it can also just be valvetrain noise that is now just more audible due to the thin walls of the headers vs the hugely thick exhaust manifolds.

If you continue to have misfire problems, get an infrared thermometer/pyrometer to measure the primary temps on each header as the car is running. Your problem cylinder will be the cold one, then you can try swapping out the plug/wire on that cylinder and see if it helps.

Mismatched wires won't make a difference, they're all basically the same. They're all just simple wire with insulation over them, basically.

Dope

 

Thanks Dope.

I just went for a short drive and it seems that the jerking/shaking is only at RPMs below 1500.

Also, about the DIC. Shouldn't I be reading a CURRENT code since the check engine light is on? All of the codes in my DIC have "H" after them.

 

Clear ALL the codes to reset the error codes. Drive it and when you stop, leave it running and pull the codes.

POST ALL codes H or not.

 

The problem your having is either in the spark plugs or the 02 sensor. I'm leaning towards the sensors. Can't be banging/dropping, them & to the correct side.

If you left your plugs in place durring install, then I'd be leaning towards a cracked porcelain on the plug/plugs.

Surely the sensor wires are routed away from the heat of the headers.

 

Just out of curiosity what kind of headers are they?

 

Look for cracked spark plugs like this!!!!

 

Id put money on it, Did you remove the plugs when you installed the headers?

They are probably cracked(Friend cracked mine) and mine was barely noticeable.

Good luck!

Btw I went with Boshe platinum 4's and love them!

 

I actually didn't remove the spark plugs. I'm sure they got banged a bit during the install too. That'll probably be the last thing I check though as I, and my hands, don't feel like taking the car apart again.

 

More than likely cracked spark plug(s). I did the same thing when I installed my first set of headers. It backfired like crazy.

If you have your 02 sensors installed correctly I would check the plugs first.

 

Okay, I guess I'm back at it today. Thanks everyone.

 

Can you post more information about the dipstick, that doesn't sound right either based on your description.

 

The DIY guide I was following just said to "replace oil dipstick tube". So I didn't actually get to see where it should go. I put it back in the same location, and bolted it back to the same bolt hole.

The hole I got it in is about the size of a quarter dollar. I actually can barely even see it. I shined my light down there and it just looks like a black spot, and since my dipstick tube was already aiming straight for it that's where I figured it needed to go. I secured it right there.

Before the header change my oil level was good. After driving the car the oil level (on the dipstick) is low. I spilled no oil during the change. The oil warning light is now on. This is why I THINK I installed it wrong.

I'm about to go change out the plugs. I'll be back later.

 

You really need to address the d/stick problem.

Remove the bolt/nut that is holds the stick tube on the top side.

Raise the car & crawl under there armed with a flaslight and an adjustable mirror, (the kind that has a telescoping handle and adjustable, angled mirror on the other end.)

Once finding the hole in the pan, insert the stick/tube firmly in the hole. Go on top side & re-attach bolt/nut.

You will be able to tell while your under thre car if it had been spewing oil .

Don't forget to add anti seize on the threads of the s/plugs. Good luck.