As a read alot of the Pro's and Con's in regard to adding Headers to the Corvette C6, one of the few Con's is problems with the 02 Sensors.

For those who have incorporated Headers, could you share some of the problems with this 02 Sensor.

I am a novice at modifications, but am in the process of considering various modifications.

Any insight you experts can share on the problems with the 02 Sensors would be appreciated!

Thanks

 

Modern vehicles have 2 O2 sensors: A pre-cat and a post cat sensor. Because our cars have 2 sets of exhaust they actually have 4 sensors.
The pre-cat sensor tells your ECU what the approximate air/fuel ratio the engine is running at is, and is used o control closed loop afr at idle and part throttle. It is not affected in any way shape or form by what exaust you have.
The post cat sensor is used to evaluate your catalytic converter's behavior; the ECU actually varies the AFR slightly at cruise and then compares the voltages of the pre-cat and post cat sensor to determine if the cat is working. Two things happen:

If you remove the cat, the voltages will be the same. You will certainly have a check engine light.
If you install headers with high flow cats on the X pipe, they are going to be located much furter away from the engine than the factory parts were (thus the need for extensions on the rear O2s. Incidentally, this is why long tube headers are illegal everywhere in the country; they relocate the cat converter as well. The cat won't get up to temperature fast enough and the rear O2 will see this. SOME TIMES this will cause a "PE042" (I think that's what it was) code, which translates into "catalytic converter low efficiency". I've had it on two cars that had dual cat converters and I converted them to single high flow, but I've never had it on my Corvette.
My C6 runs Kooks 1 3/4 headers JetHot coated with a Kooks 3" catted X-Pipe. Zero issues, tons of power (made 395rwhp tuned with the headers and an intake) and a great sound

 

Just delete the rear 02 codes

 

You won't have any issues if you install them right.

You may need O2 extensions. Other than that make you sure you mount the wires right and get the car tuned. You won't have any issues with O2's.

 

Or delete your rear 02s and save your money on extensions

The rear 02s do not affect performance in any way.

 

Forum member CBRF4i1 makes and sells the extensions. Over 10,000 miles without one code.

 

There really is no problem with the o2 sensors. You don't NEED a tune after you install them but it is recommended just to get more power and while you are tuning it just have them turn off the rear o2 sensors. Or you can do what I did: Install LT headers, all sensors, extensions and use a diablo tuner and load the 93 oct tune or diablo tune or whatever it is called and that will turn off the rear o2 sensors. Works great and no CEL.

 

Powerlabs did a great job of explaining the potential rear O2 problem. This is a very minor problem and should not influence your decision to install headers. The big factors are possibly voiding your warranty and increased exhaust noise.
I installed American Racing Headers with X pipe and hi-flow cats and then used a Diablo Predator handheld tuner and do not have any problems.

If you are mechanically inclined even a little, C6 header install is fairly easy and can be done in one afternoon on jackstands.

 

I have kooks long tubes with high flow cats

and from time to time i get the p4020 and p4030
Low efficency catlyst bank#1 and #2
YOu can either reset them and live with it
or have them masked out !

 

Thanks to all who contributed... And again, thanks to Powerlab! He has answered a number of my questions over the past few weeks.

This is a wonderful Forum, with wonderful members. Sharing knowledge empowers us all!

 

No prob, that's what the forum is all about. I live in NJ too, so if you ever need a hand with your car just PM me