guys tell me why im running rich or lean?????????????????

[ADRENLN]

guys i dont know anything about this so i dont know if im running rich or lean. i have an 02 gt with just a mac cai, k&n filter, flowmasters, and a bassani o/r x pipe. i didnt think any of these things could cause me to run rich or lean. my buddy and i installed our o/r mid pipes together last week. my car smells funny compaired to his. the smell of mine is alot stronger then his as well. my car seems a little sluggish as well. i pretty sure the car has been running this way for a while even before the mods, why? how do i fix my my car to run correctly? guys help me out, thanks

 

[Sam98]

If your PCM isn't turning the MIL on, then your A/F ratio is correct during closed loop operation (14.7:1). Have you installed a chip or anything other than what you listed? When you say is smells "funny" and "stronger" what do you mean. Does it smell like unburned gas, sweet, or something else? Anyway, the easiest way to see if your car is running too rich or too lean is to remove the spark plugs and look at them. If they are black, you are running rich; if they appear wet you could have a misfire; if they are white (light grey) you are running lean. Hope this helps.

 

[ADRENLN]

that helps thank you,. the only other thing i have that i didnt list r the mils i put in for the o/r x pipe. the smell i cant really discribe it is just very strong like exhaust, maybe a little sweat smelling. i do get some white smoke on start up, but it goes away. im going to check the plugs. thanks. r u saying if im not getting the check engine lite then im not running rich/lean?

 

[ADRENLN]

by the way my midpipe has no cats at all.

 

[Sam98]

What you are describing sounds like my exhaust. I doubt you have a problem. The PCM is pretty sensitive when it comes to variations in the A/F ratio and will set the MIL if you are actually having a problem.

 

[ADRENLN]

thanks for the replies bro, i hope u r right. the smoke on start is what really cought my attention. to be honest with u it's been smoking on start up sience it was brand new. it just got a little worse with these mods .cai and o/r x. i also let the car sit somtimes a day or two between drives. thanks again man.

 

[ADRENLN]

off topic, but i noticed u have the novi and the cams how does that work together. i was going to go that route when i get to serious modding. does it give u any problems? which did u do first?

 

[Sam98]

Without cats it is normal to have more water vapor coming out which is probably what you're seeing.

I like the Novi setup better than the Vortechs I've seen even though the Vortechs seem to make more power at low boost levels. The cams seemed to help, but until I get back on the dyno I won't know for sure. One nice thing about the Novi setup is that you can bump your boost by simply removing the inlet restrictor that comes with the kit.

 

[ADRENLN]

that is interesting. i heard that the novi made good power
well i wasnt sure charger to go with anyway. i figure ill have a lot of questions as i get closer to the time im going to get 1. well thanks for the info anyway. your car will prob. post some good #'s..........good luck

 

[Sam98]

They do make good power. It's just that at 8 psi the Vortech seems to make more. It is very easy to make boost with the Novi though, and I think the brackets and pulley setup are better on the Novi.

 

[Venom4.6]

With an O/R pipe you will smell the exhaust more(unburnt fuel). Like said before, on startup there will be more moisture in the pipes without the cats. Sounds pretty normal. You will also loose a little low end torque when going to an O/R pipe.

 

[ADRENLN]

i just wonder why my car stinks more then my boy's car? mine smells a lot stronger. mine 02 gt with no cat x/ his is a 98 gt with a no cat h. what do u think?

 

[Sam98]

Yours has PI heads which the 98 doesn't (unless the headswap was performed) so you should have more exhaust gases, because your engine breathes better. If there is a strong gasoline odor, you may have some misfiring, or your car may be running rich. The PCM should throw a code if that is the case though. Another possibility is that you have some contaminant in your gas that is producing the odor you are describing.

 

[MUSTANGLANCE]

The cause I'm almost postive is your MAC CAI. Get rid of it and you'll see the differece. The 90 degree bend in from of your MAF is throwing your MAF signal off causing it to run way rich. I took my car to dallas mustang and ran 14 pulls on the dyno and found out that with the MAC CAI and the MAF installed normally my car lost 18 hp and 19 rwt. I gained the power back by performing the darkwolf mod on my CAI which is basically rotating the MAF a quarter turn to move the pickup out of the turbulent air caused by the 90 degree bend. If you have questions about this mod do a seach on my name. My A/F ratio also went to about 9:1 with the CAI vs 12/13:1 when I rotated my MAF. Your car may be different, but most of us seem to have the same problem. Pro-M even makes a special MAF to deal with the 90 degree bend in some CAI. I got rid of my MAC CAI and got the K & N FIPK Gen II CAI. My advise is ditch the MAC and get the K & N.

Lance

 

[stang09er]

I have the MAC CAI as well as an Off Rd H pipe and i know for a fact that i have LOST power and i have the same smell that ADRENLN is speaking of. Which way do i need to turn the MAF to correct the A/F mixture... This will probably be temporary anyways because i plan on switching to the complete C & L setup...have heard nothing but great remarks about it!! Can't wait for spring!!!