Hey all I have a question about my engine...about whether or not its running right and how I could find out, what I can do and best ways to do it. First off I bought the car last summer, it had a K&N Filter right on the throttle body (no cold air) and it had, or so the guy tells me, an aftermarket chip. I don't know what kind of chip or if it even benefited me at all. Now for my mods. Not may yet, seeing as I haven't had it that long..but they include, header back system, 1 5/8 primary, 3in collector, 2 1/2in y-pipe, NO CAT, 3in system to a super turbo muffler( not my first choice in mufflers but it came with the system) and duel outlet. I've also got a 170 degree thermostat and Air Foil Diverter..I'm saving up for a 350 build but that's much later.

Anyway, With all that done, am I possibly running into any computer related problems...fuel mixture, anything like that at all? My car failed to start 3 times in a row a few days ago and Its never done that before. By failed to start I mean, it was trying and acted like it had started up and when I let off the ignition..it died. Then, while in park or nuetral my exhaust will make several very loud poping sounds when I rev high or mid range and let off. Its not a back fire or spark plug problems I don't think because It never does it when I drive, under any condition. Lastly, when I said earlier that I had no Cat that just means no CAT. I still have all the Emissions crap. My headers have AIR and I still have that little tube that ran down to my stock CAT. I think it connects with (forget what its called) heater valve assembly or resirculation valves of some kind...whatever is is. But that little tube is just tied off down there and I don't know if its just pulling in air from under the car now, or if it expelled air. Don't know what it does. Can anyone help me out?? I'd like to know if I need to correct anything and what I should do with that tube. Thanks all

 

To find out what type of aftermarket chip you have you will need to get to your computer. It's fairly easy on our cars. It's under the dash on the passenger side. There is a access panel on the computer to get to the chip. Look for the brand and part number, look it up on there website. As for your exhaust system, you may have an exhaust leak. The tube you mentioned supplies air the the cat. I take it you don't have emmisions testing in your area, if so you can cap it off. Otherwise you will need to get a cat because you won't pass without it.

 

Great Thanks for the info. I hope I don't have an exhaust leak....I shouldn't but there is a spot where I might. I might as well cap that tube off but...is there anyway to remove it without breaking it. I might want it later if I get a new cat. I don't have emissions here so I don't care, but if I move I might need it. I just don't want it down there rattling on my car. I'll check for that chip and see what it is. Do you think though that my car (aside from some of that) is still running ok with those mods? Or should I look into getting it tuned in some way, or another chip?? Anyway Thanks for the info.

 

I would just tie that tube off to keep it from rattling. You would probably damage it tring to take it out. As for the chip I am just looking into learning how to program my our chips, because I have a hypertech thermomaster chip that came in my car that I don't like. The most common response is that you need a custom chip rather than any retail chip on the market. Take a look at the DYI prom board and a post by traxion called how to get started if you are interested in doing this. It only costs $200 to get started, but there is a lot to learn.

 

Ya, I did tie that tube off already so it doesn't rattle. I guess I'll plug it too if I can, otherwise I'll leave it be till I get a Cat. I was also thinking I should have a custom chip...but I dont know how much time it takes to learn how to do it yourself...I don't have much time is why. Would be nice to know though. Thanks for the infor though. Thanks guys