New Headers

[cobanG]

Got a new set of headers for christmas, but I think they will make my check engine light come on, is there a kit I can plug the O2 sensor into before I plug it into the header. Or how do I trick the O2 sensor into not turning my check engine light on. the headers are Pace setters from autoanything.com. I have a 2007 silverado classic 5.3L Z71 with stock exhaust until it hits a 1 in 2 out magnaflow muffler to dual tips at 45 Degrees Thanks for the help

[Tweaks]

You check engine light will come on. Best way to work around the issue is to have the PCM (computer) custom tuned by one of the popular/reliable tuners. This will disable the rear oxygen sensor reading so that the check engine light doesn't come on and a PCM tune is a good investment and compliment to your header mod.

[JadXtreme]

You need your precat O2 sensors to be working so that your pcm can adjust the a/f ratio accordingly. The headers should have O2 bungs for you to screw in your sensors into. If there is no O2 bungs, take the headers to a reputable muffler shop and have them weld in some O2 bungs into the headers, or have it installed in the pipe. Just keep in mind to put the O2 bungs in pretty close to the same location as the original O2 bungs.

As long as you don't take your existing O2 sensors out, or remove the cats, it shouldn't throw a code.

[cobanG]

The stock headers have the cat built into them, when I replace the headers the cats will be removed throwing the code, my question is what can I do to prevent the code from lighting up my check engine light?

[JadXtreme]

I got what your saying. You'll need a custom tune to get around that. I have a BlackBear tune and highly recommend it. It'll still run fine without the O2 sensors, it'll just have a SES light on. Like I said earlier, you just need to make sure that there is previsions for the pre-cat O2 sensors. The post-cat O2 sensors are there only to make sure that the cat convertors are working properly.

[cobanG]

ok thanks for the advice. Your saying I can eliminate the O2 sensors before the headers I just have to re-tune the ones after the headers?

[JadXtreme]

Pre-cat O2 sensors are needed, post-cat O2 sensors can be eliminated with a tune. In other words, the sensors after the catalytic convorters can be eliminated no problem with a custom tune.

[cobanG]

Did you do the black bear tune for the headers? I'm wondering what the cost will be for the tune.

[JadXtreme]

The tune is not necessarily needed just for the headers. But the tune can compliment your mods. Best thing to do is to do whatever mods that you would like to do before you do the tune so that it can be set up more for your needs. BlackBear has a couple different options. You can do a cable tune or a traditional tune. I have a traditional tune which is also the cheapest option, $200 + plus shipping your pcm to BlackBear.

http://www.blackbearperformance.com/services.asp

I bought another pcm off of ebay for $20 to be used for the tune because I could not stand to have my truck down waiting to get the pcm tuned. They also sell additional pcms through BlackBear.

You can shoot Justin an e-mail concerning your tune and he can better inform you what is to be expected with your tune.
tuning@blackbearperformance.com

[cobanG]

thank you for the info I will get on that and try it out, I also spoke with a mechanic and he mentioned an O2 sensor simulator? ever heard of it?