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Can engine run lean?

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Old Jan 24, 2012 | 09:31 AM
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Default Can engine run lean?

If you install headers, 102mm intake with throttle body is it possible for the motor to run too lean prior to getting it re tuned? The LS2 has already been tuned, I am just curious as to whether the on board fuel management system will absorb the difference of air coming in and going out and adjust for it. Are larger injectors recommended, say 50lb. for this setup, or not. An help or tips is much appreciated. Thank you.
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Old Jan 24, 2012 | 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by chpdbp
If you install headers, 102mm intake with throttle body is it possible for the motor to run too lean prior to getting it re tuned? The LS2 has already been tuned, I am just curious as to whether the on board fuel management system will absorb the difference of air coming in and going out and adjust for it. Are larger injectors recommended, say 50lb. for this setup, or not.
Yes, making those changes without a tune/re-tune can definitely cause the engine to run too lean. Or even too rich depending on how the computer compensates or even overcompensates for the condition. It might not be to the point of 'danger' or damage if you're just driving it around easy (ie: not wide open throttle racing it every chance you get) but I wouldn't let it go too long like that. The MAF/PCM can correct/compensate for some of it to a point but it can't do it all...but proper tuning can.
And no, you shouldn't need new injectors for just bolt on mods like that.
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Old Jan 24, 2012 | 06:08 PM
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^^Agreed^^

My tune was lean with just the addition of the 102 Fast, I already had long tubes and a tune when I installed it. Possibly worth noting, when I installed the 102 Fast intake i removed a ported LS2 intake.
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Old Jan 24, 2012 | 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Neumonic2002
^^Agreed^^

My tune was lean with just the addition of the 102 Fast, I already had long tubes and a tune when I installed it. Possibly worth noting, when I installed the 102 Fast intake i removed a ported LS2 intake.
pm sent
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Old Jan 24, 2012 | 11:12 PM
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I would doubt you would see a lean condition adding those mods.
Some tuners think if it is not pig rich you need more fuel. That is not true.
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Old Jan 25, 2012 | 10:46 AM
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Since the computers control fuel and air it would be almost impossible to run lean enough to notice.

With more air the computer adds more fuel but the computer also controls the amount of air flow. Doesn't matter whether 90mm or 102mm TB, the computer controls how far the throttle opens and how much fuel flows.
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Old Jan 26, 2012 | 07:50 AM
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Originally Posted by haljensen
Since the computers control fuel and air it would be almost impossible to run lean enough to notice.

With more air the computer adds more fuel but the computer also controls the amount of air flow. Doesn't matter whether 90mm or 102mm TB, the computer controls how far the throttle opens and how much fuel flows.
Respectfully, not exactly. Sure the car is drive by wire but your right foot basically controls how much air enters the engine. You also have to consider open loop vs closed loop. Under part throttle in closed loop the O2 sensors will monitor the air fuel ratio and keep the mixture correct as long as the air coming in is within the parameters of the stock tuning. If you get to a point where more air is coming in than the tables are capable of handling, the car will run lean. At full throttle the car goes open loop where the O2 sensors are not used to monitor the air fuel ratio. It simply runs however it was calibrated by the engineers. If you add more airflow, and leave the stock tune alone, the mixture will be leaner at full throttle. If it goes too lean depends on how rich it was to begin with and how much air you have added.
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Old Jan 26, 2012 | 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by marc8090
Respectfully, not exactly. Sure the car is drive by wire but your right foot basically controls how much air enters the engine. You also have to consider open loop vs closed loop. Under part throttle in closed loop the O2 sensors will monitor the air fuel ratio and keep the mixture correct as long as the air coming in is within the parameters of the stock tuning. If you get to a point where more air is coming in than the tables are capable of handling, the car will run lean. At full throttle the car goes open loop where the O2 sensors are not used to monitor the air fuel ratio. It simply runs however it was calibrated by the engineers. If you add more airflow, and leave the stock tune alone, the mixture will be leaner at full throttle. If it goes too lean depends on how rich it was to begin with and how much air you have added.
Great explanation! In closed loop, once the engine runs too lean or too rich + or - 25% the ECM will throw codes. In open loop, there are no A/F ratio warnings!
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