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so a little update: i had the center resonator put back in, and it did exactly what I was hoping. It tamed the cold start a lot, and generally makes slow speed driving less obnoxious since the sound it a bit deeper at lower RPMs. still shouts as it did before in high revs though, I will try and get a video soon to compare.
However, some bad news: I took the car for massachusetts inspection after the resonator install and it failed emissions. I am still trying to understand all the terminology and how these systems work, but they told me it was not an issue of readiness but a weak signal from the o2 sensors. The only difference i see on the inspection sheet they gave me compared to my passing sheet from last year is the line for Catalyst Monitor says Not Available, whereas last year it said ready. There are two other lines, I believe they were catalyst heater and a/c monitor, which say not available on both sheets. I do not have an OBD2 scanner, I would be interested in getting one but have had trouble finding a good one that is compatible with my iPhone.
The guy who did the inspection suggested looking into o2 spacers to solve the problem. My understanding was the ARH headers come with everything required including spacers but I could be mistaken. I am planning to call my tuning shop next week to ask them for advice and whether o2 spacers were installed, and if not I will hopefully have them or another shop install them and go back and get the restricted sticker taken care of. If anyone has advice or can clarify the course of action I could take, it is always appreciated
Your ARH setup does not include any spacers. It includes 2 extensions that connect to your existing rear o2. Can you post the result of your emissions testing to show why you failed? MA appears to be similar to NY emissions testing where we are allowed 1 "Not ready". Your 2 rear o2's will count as 1 not ready.
Did you get EC to send you a header tune with the rear o2's shut off?
Did you get EC to send you a header tune with the rear o2's shut off?
This was my first thought as well.....Renntech, EuroCharged.....both turn off the rear O2 sensors. While this doesn't throw a CEL, an emissions check that connects to the OBDII port could detect the rear sensors aren't functioning.
I will try and snap a picture of my inspection sheet this week. I have a custom dyno tune, I spoke to the shop and it sounds like they usually leave the O2s on in their tunes, but they are going to check the file and get back to me. I'm pretty confident they will find a solution whether its as simple as shutting the monitors off or installing O2 spacers.
so I am sad to report that I still have not been able to get the car to pass inspection with the headers. No shop I have taken it has been able to give me a definitive answer to the issue and even the dealership was unable to re-flash to factory settings, and the catalyst monitors remain "not available". My grace period from the state is up so the car is parked and I am disappointed to say I am going to cut my losses and remove the headers from the car and sell them rather than go through the effort of having them put back in and try again next year. It pains me but it seems that a combination of unknown software issues on my car and increased stringency in the inspection process in my state have left me no clear solution in sight. Once the headers are sold I am going to put the money towards an eisenmann race catback and most likely have the secondary cats removed at the same time, which seems like the next best option I have enjoyed the car immensely these last two months with the headers but this has been a huge headache and pain to get a sticker on the car. Thank you again for the help and support.
I think you should try a different tuner. Many have passed emissions with lth and cats. What tune did you have on the car?? I would try calling OE or Eurocharged.
The problem with OE and EC is the car has never accepted a reflash through the OBDII port, only way the car has been able to be tuned is by physically removing the ECU. I had the headers installed and tuned by BrenTuning, one of the best custom dyno tuners around for our cars. They told me when they reloaded the software that was originally on the car, the catalyst monitors show up as "not available". Not "not ready", but "not available" as if the car never came with them in the first place. The car is not throwing a CEL. I have had other local shops and dealerships look at the car since then and they were unable to provide a solution as well. Clearly there was something wrong with the software car before the headers were installed, that was missed by the PPI. I bought the car last year with the sticker on it already so how it passed before is unknown to me. The only solution that has been offered to me is that the factory software cannot be put on the car without the factory hardware present.
Additionally, I have been told by several people including members of this forum that the state of Massachusetts has increased the stringency of inspections in the last year, with much more advanced equipment. A failed test results in a visual inspection now, so I do not want to deal with his headache again next year even if we are able to fix the software issue.
ARH headers went in yesterday. my shop posted a pic to their facebook, hopefully they connected the O2s after taking the pic lol
should pick up the car next tuesday with the tune all taken care of. Then im off to my indy shop for wavetrac LSD install and an A service. Then finally the beast will be back in business!
Looks like this is exactly what you need! Let us know if we can help you with an order. Our Long Tube Headers are 100% USA Made with 304 SS, not thin walled Chinese steel that will crack and be a headache. We use properly designed merge collectors that are proven to last the life of your vehicle on and off track.
So, did you ever find out what was causing the problem? Any updates?
Thanks
i never got a satisfactory answer to what the problem was.. in the end I could not get the car road legal in massachusetts without returning to stock. sold the headers to another member and moved on with my life.
i never got a satisfactory answer to what the problem was.. in the end I could not get the car road legal in massachusetts without returning to stock. sold the headers to another member and moved on with my life.
That is a shame as everyone seems to be pleased with ARH setup. Thank you for the update
That is a shame as everyone seems to be pleased with ARH setup. Thank you for the update
Did you personally experience any issues with the car performance after installing the ROW intake? Some members reported some low end hesitation. That seems to be my next mod. Thank you again for your response.
Mhp Lth,xpipe and 3inch straight pipe to tips with a stage 3 blower bcuz racekarr,car is loud everywhere n cold starts shatter Windows around the neighborhood and it also shoots 3 feet long flames
05-26-2016, 07:53 PM
Headers and Exhaust
