rezurex

Hey fellas. I got my alphawerks headers installed today. no fitment issues, it bolted right on. used the same o2 sensor that was on stock header, and put that on the new aw header. take the car down, reset my ecu and away from the shop i went. about a mile away from the shop the car feels weird... i would press the gas in like 1-2 gear and the power wouldn't respond. the car was stalling a little - it felt like the engine wasn't getting enough air or something. the electronics in the car would dim and my VSA, check engine and the yellow exclamation light came on. i was like oh shit, so i went back to the guy that installed my headers. he checked the car over, we reset the ecu 2x and he checked all the connections.

we didn't find the source of the problem... the car idles much lower at like 300 rpm and when it does this the car shudders a little. when i brake to a stop, such as at a red light, the rpms dip low to like 200 rpm and the car shudders...

what could be the problem? really worried about the car. at mid to high rpm the car seems fine, on the highway back to my apt i pushed the car a little bit and the car definitely has more power...

any idea what it could be??

thanks

-rez

AmooManiaK

Damn man, sorry to hear about the problem, but glad you notice the power. I'm thinking a cable got unhooked or something, it doesn't seem logical that the headers would be causing the problem. I'm actually pretty sure it's not the headers because tunaboy didn't have that problem. Tell the mechanic to recheck everything that he touched.

rezurex

im sure its not the headers... everything is hooked up, we're pretty sure we checked several times...

not sure what it could be though... damn

AmooManiaK

I know you wanna go out and beat that wrx now

Unplugged wires are my only guess.

mattg

something must be unhooked or unplugged

BC2G

thats :ghey: maybe your tranny blew?

BC2G

:killer:

Cruz_msl

Could it be the ECU in learning mode?

cmark

at least we found out the Alpha Werks headers fit!!

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

I had the same problem. A couple of weeks later, the O2 sensor died. Ride it out, and I'm pretty sure your primary sensor will die, as well. It's not used to the increased flow and doesn't know what to do. The ECU is trying to compensate, but it's obviously not effective.

AmooManiaK

There has to be a way to fix this though. I mean all headers have increased flow so why would his sensor not be used to it while others are? Is it just a matter of resetting the ECU until it's used to the flow?

BC2G

Hey tony i just remembered something.... http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showt...ht=alpha+werks read the thread, i remember reading something about him having to custom shave or port or whatever the opening of the gasket... check it out


otherwise, how does it feel with the headers? noticably faster?!

bigguyonbike

i don't think it's the headers, because i got mine installed today without any issues. something must of been knocked out or unplug while installation. also the butt dyno feels some gains with AW headers. hopefully taking it to the track tonight to get a verification.

rezurex

MUCH faster... will continued driving be bad for my car? hard driving?

-rez

so i need new o2 sensors right? how much are they?

rezurex

bigguy reset your ECU it definitely feels quicker...

-rez

rezurex

would the o2 sensors going out mess up the VSA though ???

AmooManiaK

damn, I wanna see the gains. I'm getting mine installed tomorrow, can't wait.

Tell us your 1/4 times!

rezurex

'

anyone? please?

power3dfx

the vsa light comes on with the CEL sometimes. it happened to my car when it ran lean due to a faulty FPR. it is definately your o2 sensor. get it changed and make sure you are more careful this time, those things are very fragile. if the light persists, then start worrying.

and no, it doesnt mess up the car to keep driving, but get this fixed asap.

Red-CL

Mine are being istalled right now.

rezurex

gonna go to autozone to see which sensor's out.

can't wait to see my 1/4 time and all that.. but def the power is there

THE EXHAUST TONE IS SO DEEP it turns heads... not loud but deep which is tight.. no tinny ricey sound

-rez

berny

I wanted to get the Alpha Werks headers, now I'm not too sure

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

Yes, definitely.

rezurex

Primary HO2S Heater Circuit Malfunction

thats what i got when i went to autozone

erased the code but lights and crap come back out...

i guess the o2 sensor going out won't bring down my performance? will it hurt the engine? people at autozone said it wont hurt my car just bad emissions and it will probably change my mpg.

160 for bosch o2 sensors..!!

dont think im gonna replace that thing anytime soon... should i?

-rez

rezurex

berny the headers are perfect its the o2 sensor. look aroudn people have problems with the o2 sensor not cuz of the headers.

i love the headers... exhaust tone and the power gain are damn nice and noticeable.

time to make the wrx pay

Jonesi

I don't think it would hurt anything but I would replace as soon as you can..

When you reset the ECU let the car idle for a good 10 minutes.. Then take it out for a drive..

Jonesi

When's the race ?

rondog

iTrader: (1)

I had the same problem with my headers and o2 sensor, but instead of a lack of power down low, there was alot more, it wa sso strong, it felt like the tranny couldn't take it, and I had check engine lights on, and VSA. Turns out the o2 sensor was touching the oilpan and got damaged. Changed it out and relocated the bung to not let it happen again. The car isn't as strong, but still decent, and the lights came off too. wheeeeee!

by the way, i had the OBX

allmotor_2000

C'mon guys... this is all myth!!! I run a turbo through my stock O2 sensors... they DON'T CARE ABOUT FLOW?!?!?!!?!?

The ECU has no clue either. When you floor it the ECU runs of preset MAPS!!!

allmotor_2000

Factory sensor is $97:

http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.net/...prddisplay.jsp

AmooManiaK

Just got my AW and icebox put on along with the springs and shocks. It pulls A LOT harder than stock, even the acura mechanic said it when he test drove it. I love these AWs!!

Rezurex, I'm sure you'll take the WRX once you get it fixed

Red-CL

Got mine installed today.

All I can say is "wow".

The acceleration is a whole lot better. It pulls hard all the way 'til the redline. The exhaust note changed a bit though. It's noticeably deeper but not ricey. I love these headers. I'm thinkin' now that I should've had a before and after Dyno done though.

rezurex

i think i can take him now might be getting a lil xtra power from the o2 going out.

allmotor_2000

The ECU does not use any input from the O2 sensor while under WOT... so I can't imaging where you'd get power with the O2 sensor going bad!?!

rezurex

well rondog in the post above that he lost some power when he fixed his o2 sensor...

sorry ram. im not as well versed as you are

which o2 sensor do i need to replace? the sensor RR oxygen or the sensor oxygen? (im looking at the site you linked)

damn $100 oh well it could be worse i guess

thanks for your help

-rez

rezurex

jonesi we'll prob run the car next weekend.. he wants to install STi mufflers first.

but WOW.. i heard about 32whp just from headers and i've been skeptical.. but seriously this does a lot.

butt-dyno

Smitty

how many miles on your car?

allmotor_2000

The primary one is the first one... that bolts to the header. If the mechanic got some anti-seize or oil or liquid-wrench or WD-40 - any of that stuff will ruin the sensor.

You need to change the one on the header (item #17 - Sensor oxygen... looks like its $73 now):

http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.net/...prddisplay.jsp

TypeS_boi

looks like someone from there was reading this board and decided to drop the price since you fockers O2 sensors are droppin like flies. I just might pick one up cuz of the price
Let us kno what happens w/ the wrx Rez! -john

Red-CL

It still says 98 bucks when I click it.