well i believe my camaro is running rich, i dont really know, just my best guess. but whenever i first start it up and start driving, everytime i go to shift you can hear it back firing it sounds like. and the other day my gf was following me and i reved at her and she said she saw flames pop out my exhaust. so my question is what would be the best way to resolve this?

 

The car will run rich after a cold start because the PCM will be in open loop for a few minutes. After the car has warmed up, the tune should change because the PCM will start using info from the MAF and O2 sensors. You should be able to tell if the car is running rich in closed loop by quickly lifting off the throttle while in motion. If you hear a low gurgling sound or popping noise from your exhaust then your car is dumping too much fuel.

Is your car throwing any codes? Are there any performance mods? Any apparent problems like a vacuum or manifold leaks? What's your gas mileage like?

 

well thats what happens, it pops right after i let off and go to shift. and mods are full exhaust (egr delete), intake. i had pcm reprogrammed after header install.fuel pump died on me befor and i have a walbro pump in it now. and thats mostly it. and i havnt checked for codes yet. and gas millage is about 19mpg on interstate mainly.

 

You could get a scan tool on it that shows live data and look at your 02 readings.

 

new headers will foul/ruin your 02 sensors. something to do with burning off the factory coating that is used. how old is your opti? what name brand is your opti? test your evap system. check spark plugs to see if they are fouled. if so change, use high quality plugs. i have found ngk irridium to be the best for my build.

 

well one of the o2s is new (ish). and opti is the stock one, but did have the cap and rotor changed about 30k miles ago. and how would you go about testing the evap system? and i had put new plugs in about a year ago. bosch +2 is what i used. i know that dosnt rule them out, but i guess the info might help.

 

Get new plugs, some NGK tr55's and new plug wires. Get new O2's since yours are probably fouled if you kept them in after installing new headers, DO NOT USE BOSCH O2 SENSORS, Delphi is good. Try those options first since they aren't that costly. Then, if need to check further you can diagnose from there.

Yes the motor runs rich for a few in open loop but it shouldn't be as bad as you mentioned, regardless. Is there any kind of hesitation, possible misfires, or any shake at all to the vehicle while at idle or during load?

 

if you look at the top of this section youll see a sticky, how to test evap. if you got 30k outa a opti by adding a cap and rotor your one lucky sun of a gun. im gona recomend you do the plugs and 02s first but i think the opti is goin south too.

 

Why not bosch, Just curious? Never used them before.

 

bosch do not like the lt1 or at least the larger number of them. i used bosch +4s with a msd high output coil and they worked ok. did not last near as long as the ngk's