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Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner?

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Old Nov 17, 2002 | 10:21 PM
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Default Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner?

I'm adding a set of Belanger Long Tube Headers and would like to know if the addition of headers on a lightly modded A4 vette will make it run richer or leaner .. it runs too lean now ..

:cool: :cheers: :smash: :seeya
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Old Nov 17, 2002 | 10:27 PM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (Don&Kelly)

I am extremely interested to hear answers on this one too. Fortunately, mine is a 98, so an adjustible fuel regulator can help.
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Old Nov 17, 2002 | 10:33 PM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (Don&Kelly)

Richer...
It has to do with the scavenging effect pulling unburnt fuel from the cylinders...
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Old Nov 17, 2002 | 11:26 PM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (chuckster)

Richer...
It has to do with the scavenging effect pulling unburnt fuel from the cylinders...


I have seen this to be true on several occasions.. :seeya
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Old Nov 18, 2002 | 12:01 AM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (bparker)

running richer robs HP right?
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Old Nov 18, 2002 | 12:09 AM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (QWKAZEL)

running richer robs HP right?
Yes - unless you are using N20 :D Nitrous luvs rich mixes.. and cold air.. :yesnod:
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Old Nov 18, 2002 | 08:23 AM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (bparker)

In my opinion long tube headers will usually make your car run more LEAN at part throttle, and more RICH at Wide Open Throttle. This has to do with the PCM adding extra fuel added in (LTRIMs) at part throttle having an opposite effect on your WOT air/fuel ratio.

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Old Nov 18, 2002 | 08:44 AM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (MattG)

In my opinion long tube headers will usually make your car run more LEAN at part throttle, and more RICH at Wide Open Throttle. This has to do with the PCM adding extra fuel added in (LTRIMs) at part throttle having an opposite effect on your WOT air/fuel ratio.
So what is the best fix for this :confused:

I just ordered my catbacks and now I am looking for a long tubes, cats, and x-pipe setup.... :D
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Old Nov 18, 2002 | 10:19 AM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (SideStep)

Tuning! You could use a MAFT or LS1-edit.... You usually just need to get those part throttle fuel trims to read a little on the negative side.
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Old Nov 18, 2002 | 10:26 AM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (SideStep)

So what is the best fix for this :confused:

I just ordered my catbacks and now I am looking for a long tubes, cats, and x-pipe setup.... :D
Using a program like LS1edit to program in some more fuel for part throttle driving through the MAF table is the best way to correct this problem.. You can use a MAF Translator, but I am still not convinced hte MAFT works for part throttle changes, as the 02s and PCM should be able to learn out any BASE changes you make with the MAFT. I do believe the MAFT works for WOT changes though.

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Old Nov 18, 2002 | 11:47 AM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (MattG)

Matt,
i just put on the FLP long tubes with high flow cats and x-pipe on the Z,
the car seems to be running great.
how can you tell if it's rich or lean and is there any potential for damage
occuring?

mike
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Old Nov 18, 2002 | 11:55 AM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (35069)

Matt,
i just put on the FLP long tubes with high flow cats and x-pipe on the Z,
the car seems to be running great.
how can you tell if it's rich or lean and is there any potential for damage
occuring?

mike
Really the only way to tell your lean at Part Throttle is with autotap, and at WOT, is with a wideband 02 sensor.. I wouldn't worry, you wont damage anything.. And who knows, if your car was running a bit rich/lean before, this may have made it even better.. It is always hard to tell as every car runs a bit different when it comes from the factory, and they all react a bit differently to mods as well.

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Old Nov 18, 2002 | 01:33 PM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (MattG)

In my opinion long tube headers will usually make your car run more LEAN at part throttle, and more RICH at Wide Open Throttle. This has to do with the PCM adding extra fuel added in (LTRIMs) at part throttle having an opposite effect on your WOT air/fuel ratio.
Hmmmm goood point! I never thought about that...
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Old Nov 18, 2002 | 06:23 PM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (MattG)

In my opinion long tube headers will usually make your car run more LEAN at part throttle, and more RICH at Wide Open Throttle. This has to do with the PCM adding extra fuel added in (LTRIMs) at part throttle having an opposite effect on your WOT air/fuel ratio.
I agree with you Matt. People argue with me all the time saying headers will make you run rich.
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Old Nov 18, 2002 | 07:49 PM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (415cid Goose)

When I added headers I was lean. Richened up the mix with a MAFT and picked up about 10hp/10tq. Probably could dial it in a little better with LS1 Edit. :cheers:
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Old Nov 19, 2002 | 06:48 AM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (415cid Goose)


99% of the time.........
Gee, funny that you lean it out wether its EFI/TBI/TPI/DPI/EIEIOI or a carbed SBC.........funny how exhaust system changes effect ANY engine :crazy: just like air intake. After all, its just a big air pump
Must be that Engineering shi# :lol:
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Old Nov 19, 2002 | 08:42 AM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (ALLTHROTTLE&NOBOTTLE)

If people look at their A/F on a Dyno after the install of headers, it is more rich than before the headers.. The problem is, getting them to understand how leaning out Part Throttle can richen Wide Open Throttle. People have to understand how LTRIMs work, and how the value of the WOT LTRIM being positive from running lean at Part Throttle causes the PCM to add in TOO much fuel at WOT because it gets added in with the Power Enrichment mode amount.

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Old Nov 19, 2002 | 10:07 AM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (MattG)

If people look at their A/F on a Dyno after the install of headers, it is more rich than before the headers.. The problem is, getting them to understand how leaning out Part Throttle can richen Wide Open Throttle. People have to understand how LTRIMs work, and how the value of the WOT LTRIM being positive from running lean at Part Throttle causes the PCM to add in TOO much fuel at WOT because it gets added in with the Power Enrichment mode amount.
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Old Nov 19, 2002 | 03:29 PM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (MattG)

Dang MattG - I bet it took you a while to finger all this out eh? I would have never thought that headers would make you run lean under part throttle.. :crazy:
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Old Nov 20, 2002 | 07:54 AM
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Default Re: Will adding headers make you A/F mixture richer or leaner? (MattG)

Matt,
Guess ya have tuned more than a couple of cars eh?;)
As with any system, it is give & take :yesnod:
I play with flow calcs & RTD info all the time here at work, fuel injection is no different.
Tweak in little steps, ONE STEP AT A TIME.
Each car is different, we are not in a perfect tuning world...........but close enough.
Once I put on my FLPs, I will see where I am at.
I have lots of pre-install data to go by.
Might be good to go out of the box! :cheers:
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