Budget Exhaust Test Pipe
12-18-2002, 06:59 PM
#1
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Budget Exhaust Test Pipe
I have a 1995 SE 5-spd. I am planning on getting the Budget y-pipe, b-pipe and test pipe.
Now if I got the test pipe, Jeff at Budget said that my check engine light would be on all the time and the ECU might start doing crazy things like dumping more fuel which is obvsiously undesirable. Would an Apex'i SAFC be a solution to that?
Does anyone know if anyone on the forum has a test pipe (eliminated the catalytic converter) as part of their exhaust? A search didn't really return anything.
Thanks for any help and input.
Now if I got the test pipe, Jeff at Budget said that my check engine light would be on all the time and the ECU might start doing crazy things like dumping more fuel which is obvsiously undesirable. Would an Apex'i SAFC be a solution to that?
Does anyone know if anyone on the forum has a test pipe (eliminated the catalytic converter) as part of their exhaust? A search didn't really return anything.
Thanks for any help and input.
12-19-2002, 04:56 AM
#2
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Re: Budget Exhaust Test Pipe
Originally posted by speedemn
I have a 1995 SE 5-spd. I am planning on getting the Budget y-pipe, b-pipe and test pipe.
Now if I got the test pipe, Jeff at Budget said that my check engine light would be on all the time and the ECU might start doing crazy things like dumping more fuel which is obvsiously undesirable. Would an Apex'i SAFC be a solution to that?
Does anyone know if anyone on the forum has a test pipe (eliminated the catalytic converter) as part of their exhaust? A search didn't really return anything.
Thanks for any help and input.
I have a 1995 SE 5-spd. I am planning on getting the Budget y-pipe, b-pipe and test pipe.
Now if I got the test pipe, Jeff at Budget said that my check engine light would be on all the time and the ECU might start doing crazy things like dumping more fuel which is obvsiously undesirable. Would an Apex'i SAFC be a solution to that?
Does anyone know if anyone on the forum has a test pipe (eliminated the catalytic converter) as part of their exhaust? A search didn't really return anything.
Thanks for any help and input.
(doesn't anyone here have a test pipe installed on their car? - prefferably a 95-96)
12-19-2002, 05:03 AM
#3
The CEL would come one because the ECU would assume that the catalytic converter had totally failed. It would not, however, alter the air/fuel ratio. The O2 sensor located downstream of the cat is only used to monitor catalyst function.
12-19-2002, 05:16 AM
#4
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Originally posted by mzmtg
The CEL would come one because the ECU would assume that the catalytic converter had totally failed. It would not, however, alter the air/fuel ratio. The O2 sensor located downstream of the cat is only used to monitor catalyst function.
The CEL would come one because the ECU would assume that the catalytic converter had totally failed. It would not, however, alter the air/fuel ratio. The O2 sensor located downstream of the cat is only used to monitor catalyst function.
Is there a way to let the ECU learn that its okay that there is no cat or is there no way to get around it... ie are 95-96 guys doomed to not be able to use a test pipe?
12-19-2002, 06:42 AM
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Originally posted by mzmtg
Just because the CEL would be on doesnt mean you cant use one. It just means the light would be on...
Just because the CEL would be on doesnt mean you cant use one. It just means the light would be on...
12-19-2002, 07:17 AM
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Originally posted by mzmtg
It wont be. That's what I was saying in my first reply.
It wont be. That's what I was saying in my first reply.
12-19-2002, 07:21 AM
#9
Originally posted by speedemn
So you're saying that the check engine light in that case is not causing any harm even in the long run?
So you're saying that the check engine light in that case is not causing any harm even in the long run?
12-19-2002, 07:28 AM
#10
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Originally posted by mzmtg
Correct, the Check Engine Light is only on because the ECU thinks the catalyst has failed. That's all, nothing else will be affected. The ECU uses the front two O2 sensors to monitor the air/fuel ratio.
Correct, the Check Engine Light is only on because the ECU thinks the catalyst has failed. That's all, nothing else will be affected. The ECU uses the front two O2 sensors to monitor the air/fuel ratio.
12-19-2002, 07:45 AM
#13
Maybe this guy doesn't know what a cat actually does.
The reason the cat is there is to lower bad emissions coming out of your car, so if you replace with a piece that doesn't do that then you are driving an illegal car that is going to have a check engine light on because you are letting poisonous gasses out of you car. This has nothing to do with getting more or less fuel. So you worrying about the engine dumping more fuel in the car is irrelevant.
The reason the cat is there is to lower bad emissions coming out of your car, so if you replace with a piece that doesn't do that then you are driving an illegal car that is going to have a check engine light on because you are letting poisonous gasses out of you car. This has nothing to do with getting more or less fuel. So you worrying about the engine dumping more fuel in the car is irrelevant.
12-19-2002, 07:49 AM
#14
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Think of CEL code 0707 as a "Your Cat's busted dude" code rather than a "Dude, your sensor's dead".
The CEL for the rear sensor comes on when the signal is out of spec. Since your cat will be gone, then the signal will be out of spec. You can reset the ECU, but if the cat is still missing, then the light will come on again pretty soon.
You keep saying "that means that something obviously isn't right". Well, what's not right is that your cat is missing. So you have two choices, live with the CEL or put the cat back in. The cat doesn't kill that much power anyway. You can always get a Random Tech Hi-flo cat too for about $70 to take care of restriction and to avoid the CEL.
The CEL for the rear sensor comes on when the signal is out of spec. Since your cat will be gone, then the signal will be out of spec. You can reset the ECU, but if the cat is still missing, then the light will come on again pretty soon.
You keep saying "that means that something obviously isn't right". Well, what's not right is that your cat is missing. So you have two choices, live with the CEL or put the cat back in. The cat doesn't kill that much power anyway. You can always get a Random Tech Hi-flo cat too for about $70 to take care of restriction and to avoid the CEL.
12-19-2002, 07:57 AM
#15
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Originally posted by MacGyver265
Think of CEL code 0707 as a "Your Cat's busted dude" code rather than a "Dude, your sensor's dead".
The CEL for the rear sensor comes on when the signal is out of spec. Since your cat will be gone, then the signal will be out of spec. You can reset the ECU, but if the cat is still missing, then the light will come on again pretty soon.
You keep saying "that means that something obviously isn't right". Well, what's not right is that your cat is missing. So you have two choices, live with the CEL or put the cat back in. The cat doesn't kill that much power anyway. You can always get a Random Tech Hi-flo cat too for about $70 to take care of restriction and to avoid the CEL.
Think of CEL code 0707 as a "Your Cat's busted dude" code rather than a "Dude, your sensor's dead".
The CEL for the rear sensor comes on when the signal is out of spec. Since your cat will be gone, then the signal will be out of spec. You can reset the ECU, but if the cat is still missing, then the light will come on again pretty soon.
You keep saying "that means that something obviously isn't right". Well, what's not right is that your cat is missing. So you have two choices, live with the CEL or put the cat back in. The cat doesn't kill that much power anyway. You can always get a Random Tech Hi-flo cat too for about $70 to take care of restriction and to avoid the CEL.
12-19-2002, 08:23 AM
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Originally posted by MacGyver265
You keep saying "that means that something obviously isn't right". Well, what's not right is that your cat is missing. So you have two choices, live with the CEL or put the cat back in. The cat doesn't kill that much power anyway. You can always get a Random Tech Hi-flo cat too for about $70 to take care of restriction and to avoid the CEL.
You keep saying "that means that something obviously isn't right". Well, what's not right is that your cat is missing. So you have two choices, live with the CEL or put the cat back in. The cat doesn't kill that much power anyway. You can always get a Random Tech Hi-flo cat too for about $70 to take care of restriction and to avoid the CEL.
However he did say that his customers buy the test pipe only for track use (obviously he has to stand on the legal side of the line) since you don't care if your check engine light is on for a few runs down a track.
12-19-2002, 08:24 AM
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Ok heres the deal....I have a test pipe from a 97 on my 95 so it has no place for the 02 sensor. I simply unplugged mine. After about half a day of driving your cel will come on to tell you that the 02 sensor is no longer showing a voltage reading. This causes no problem with anything. Just a warning. Now you might want to chek your codes anyway just in case you are throwing some other code such as the KS code. All resetting it will do is turn of the light until you complete another drive cycle, then it will turn back on. If you don't like the light, take the bulb out.
12-19-2002, 08:31 AM
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Originally posted by ladeesman
Ok heres the deal....I have a test pipe from a 97 on my 95 so it has no place for the 02 sensor. I simply unplugged mine. After about half a day of driving your cel will come on to tell you that the 02 sensor is no longer showing a voltage reading. This causes no problem with anything. Just a warning. Now you might want to chek your codes anyway just in case you are throwing some other code such as the KS code. All resetting it will do is turn of the light until you complete another drive cycle, then it will turn back on. If you don't like the light, take the bulb out.
Ok heres the deal....I have a test pipe from a 97 on my 95 so it has no place for the 02 sensor. I simply unplugged mine. After about half a day of driving your cel will come on to tell you that the 02 sensor is no longer showing a voltage reading. This causes no problem with anything. Just a warning. Now you might want to chek your codes anyway just in case you are throwing some other code such as the KS code. All resetting it will do is turn of the light until you complete another drive cycle, then it will turn back on. If you don't like the light, take the bulb out.
I tried the search and didn't come up with anything... I appologize if I am using the wrong search criteria... or maybe I am just missing it.
12-19-2002, 08:43 AM
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Originally posted by speedemn
Is there a better way to diagnose my check engine light code, other than payign the dealer $85 to do it?
I tried the search and didn't come up with anything... I appologize if I am using the wrong search criteria... or maybe I am just missing it.
Is there a better way to diagnose my check engine light code, other than payign the dealer $85 to do it?
I tried the search and didn't come up with anything... I appologize if I am using the wrong search criteria... or maybe I am just missing it.
You couldn't have done a search, you would have found it.
Any way, here's the link to the thread, its two threads underneath the FAQ: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hreadid=104931
12-19-2002, 08:47 AM
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Originally posted by MacGyver265
Wow, you're kidding right? Look at the top of the 4th Gen Forum. There is a thread that has two links that tells you how to retrieve the codes and convert the codes to what they mean.
You couldn't have done a search, you would have found it.
Any way, here's the link to the thread, its two threads underneath the FAQ: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hreadid=104931
Wow, you're kidding right? Look at the top of the 4th Gen Forum. There is a thread that has two links that tells you how to retrieve the codes and convert the codes to what they mean.
You couldn't have done a search, you would have found it.
Any way, here's the link to the thread, its two threads underneath the FAQ: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hreadid=104931
12-19-2002, 08:53 AM
#23
In my understanding the o2 sensor is just like an overly complicated resistor. The computer is looking for a specific voltage drop over the sensor. I'm thinking you could just disconnect your o2 sensor and add in a resister to make the computer happy and you're good to go. I'm no electrical engineer, but figuring out what resistor is a piece of cake for an EE.
12-19-2002, 10:16 AM
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Originally posted by MAXimumHP
In my understanding the o2 sensor is just like an overly complicated resistor. The computer is looking for a specific voltage drop over the sensor. I'm thinking you could just disconnect your o2 sensor and add in a resister to make the computer happy and you're good to go. I'm no electrical engineer, but figuring out what resistor is a piece of cake for an EE.
In my understanding the o2 sensor is just like an overly complicated resistor. The computer is looking for a specific voltage drop over the sensor. I'm thinking you could just disconnect your o2 sensor and add in a resister to make the computer happy and you're good to go. I'm no electrical engineer, but figuring out what resistor is a piece of cake for an EE.
Bottom line, a resistor won't do anything and the ECU will still light up the CEL.
In order to circumvent the O2 sensor to "fool" the ECU, you would need a signal generator that oscillates with respect to engine speed with the proper amplitude and offset. Way more trouble than its worth, although it could be done.
12-28-2002, 10:53 AM
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Originally posted by MacGyver265
Sorry MAXHP - An O2 sensor is not like a resistor at all. When hydrocarbons hit the platinum electrode they produce a voltage in the sensor. This is what the ECU is detecting, a voltage, not a voltage drop. Not only is it a voltage, but its an oscillating voltage (the frequency changes with respect to engine speed also). The ECU recognizes O2 sensor failure when the oscillation amplitude is not large enough, indicating a "tired" sensor. When the entire voltage signal shifts upwards, it indicates a rich mixture, when the entire signal shifts down it indicates a lean mixture. The ECU compensates with leaning and enrichening the mixture respectively, but only for the Front O2 sensors and not the one after the cat.
Bottom line, a resistor won't do anything and the ECU will still light up the CEL.
In order to circumvent the O2 sensor to "fool" the ECU, you would need a signal generator that oscillates with respect to engine speed with the proper amplitude and offset. Way more trouble than its worth, although it could be done.
Sorry MAXHP - An O2 sensor is not like a resistor at all. When hydrocarbons hit the platinum electrode they produce a voltage in the sensor. This is what the ECU is detecting, a voltage, not a voltage drop. Not only is it a voltage, but its an oscillating voltage (the frequency changes with respect to engine speed also). The ECU recognizes O2 sensor failure when the oscillation amplitude is not large enough, indicating a "tired" sensor. When the entire voltage signal shifts upwards, it indicates a rich mixture, when the entire signal shifts down it indicates a lean mixture. The ECU compensates with leaning and enrichening the mixture respectively, but only for the Front O2 sensors and not the one after the cat.
Bottom line, a resistor won't do anything and the ECU will still light up the CEL.
In order to circumvent the O2 sensor to "fool" the ECU, you would need a signal generator that oscillates with respect to engine speed with the proper amplitude and offset. Way more trouble than its worth, although it could be done.
That way it would turn off the CEL for the cat not being there but the CEL would function normally for any other problems if they do arise... ?
12-28-2002, 07:54 PM
#27
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The guy at budget exhaust also forgot to tell you that not only will you mess up the o2 sensor, but you will go to special little section of hell designated to people who excessively pollute the air for a gratuitious hp gain.
enjoy!
david
enjoy!
david
12-29-2002, 08:11 AM
#29
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Originally posted by 95CustomMaxima
how muck horsepower do test pipes give our maximas? Do you guys feel they are worth the money for the gain?
Thanks,
Nick
how muck horsepower do test pipes give our maximas? Do you guys feel they are worth the money for the gain?
Thanks,
Nick
The CEL is for the rear O2 sensor which ONLY monitors whether or not the cat is functioning. There are no other side effects from what I understand. I am trying to figure out a way to make the CEL go away and learn that it is okay that the cat is not there, in case it does appear.
I heard that I could read the ohms at running temp given off with a cat on and then add a resitor to replace the rear O2 sensor and it could give that desired signal. That way it would turn off the CEL for the cat not being there but the CEL would function normally for any other problems if they do arise.
12-29-2002, 11:59 AM
#30
Ok i only skimmed the posts cause i've already answered this in another post. I have had a test pipe on my maxima since August and i have yet to see a cel light (at least from the cat.) I have a 95 se automagic and its doing fine. No extra fuel being dumped, gas milage actually went up about 1-2 miles per gallon since i've done it actually. As far as value and horsepower, i haven't dyno'd it yet but i'd say somewhere between worthless and nil. I didn't feel ANY performance gains and now since i'm going with a a custom 3" all the way back in prep. of getting turbo'd i turns out to be pretty worthless. BUT if anyone wants mine when i do get my piping i'll sell it for pennies =).
12-29-2002, 03:01 PM
#31
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Originally posted by TonyGotSkilz
Ok i only skimmed the posts cause i've already answered this in another post. I have had a test pipe on my maxima since August and i have yet to see a cel light (at least from the cat.) I have a 95 se automagic and its doing fine. No extra fuel being dumped, gas milage actually went up about 1-2 miles per gallon since i've done it actually. As far as value and horsepower, i haven't dyno'd it yet but i'd say somewhere between worthless and nil. I didn't feel ANY performance gains and now since i'm going with a a custom 3" all the way back in prep. of getting turbo'd i turns out to be pretty worthless. BUT if anyone wants mine when i do get my piping i'll sell it for pennies =).
Ok i only skimmed the posts cause i've already answered this in another post. I have had a test pipe on my maxima since August and i have yet to see a cel light (at least from the cat.) I have a 95 se automagic and its doing fine. No extra fuel being dumped, gas milage actually went up about 1-2 miles per gallon since i've done it actually. As far as value and horsepower, i haven't dyno'd it yet but i'd say somewhere between worthless and nil. I didn't feel ANY performance gains and now since i'm going with a a custom 3" all the way back in prep. of getting turbo'd i turns out to be pretty worthless. BUT if anyone wants mine when i do get my piping i'll sell it for pennies =).
12-29-2002, 04:38 PM
#32
No and no, my test pipe has no hole, and to be honest i didn't see an o2 sensor in that area at all, you ppl sure that isn't only with 97's and up? It was just a straight pipe with no hole and 2 flanges
12-29-2002, 05:22 PM
#33
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Originally posted by Dstyle
The guy at budget exhaust also forgot to tell you that not only will you mess up the o2 sensor, but you will go to special little section of hell designated to people who excessively pollute the air for a gratuitious hp gain.
enjoy!
david
The guy at budget exhaust also forgot to tell you that not only will you mess up the o2 sensor, but you will go to special little section of hell designated to people who excessively pollute the air for a gratuitious hp gain.
enjoy!
david
12-29-2002, 05:49 PM
#34
I ran with a test pipe for 6 months, so the CEL comes on no big deal. It does not dump extra fuel or any other effects. My O2 was not on the CAT though I have a 97.
My test pipe is a cat with a 2 1/2" stainless pipe running down the centre. Yes it does help too, just not for polution.
My test pipe is a cat with a 2 1/2" stainless pipe running down the centre. Yes it does help too, just not for polution.
12-29-2002, 06:45 PM
#35
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just say no
Im proud that you dont do drugs or hair spray (???) but the point is that doing drugs etc. is something that only hurts you and noone else. and to be honest, noone but maybe your mom cares about that. however when you put on a test pipe we all have to breath your emmission, even you mom...sux for her. and me. if you dont think emmisions are that bad, and you like them so much, i have an idea for you. turn our car on. go around back get down on your knees and suck on your tail pipe. maybe you already have experience up this alley. sure, i know, that extra 3-5 hp gain is nice. and we'd all like to have it. even me. but the thing is we have to be margianly responsable. as much as id like to be walkin down the street someday and go "hey theres speedemn with his new test pipe...'hey speedemn killer 3-5 hp gain dude!!" I just wont be able to have that same enthusiasim when i know that i have to breath you leftover unburnt emmision when you turn the corner and are gone. catch my drift?
peace
david
peace
david
Originally posted by speedemn
I don't smoke, do drugs or use hairspray... get off my case and chase those everyday (every hour) polluters. They got a line bypass to hell, if I get a test pipe!
I don't smoke, do drugs or use hairspray... get off my case and chase those everyday (every hour) polluters. They got a line bypass to hell, if I get a test pipe!
12-29-2002, 10:19 PM
#37
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Re: just say no
Originally posted by Dstyle
peace
david
peace
david
As for hairspray, that burns a hole in the ozone too does it not?
12-30-2002, 09:39 AM
#38
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dont worry about it, i just like to give people hell. if nothing, but for my own entertainment. there are a couple guys in my house (frat)that have test pipes who i harass. but i still think its bad to do if you are using the car as a daily driver. oh well....
12-30-2002, 10:14 AM
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Originally posted by funmax
my friend have a test pipe in his 96 maxima and no cel
my friend have a test pipe in his 96 maxima and no cel