97snakebite

hey guys what's up, I used to post on here ocassionally under the name 97svtcobra but I couldn't seem to remember my password .. lol .. so after a long time of lurking I'm back with a new S/N and I had a question/concern. Not sure if you guys have covered it already on the forums or not but I just installed an offroad BBK X-Pipe bolted on to the stock mufflers (I know, kind of odd) .. but yeah, as I expected the check engine light came on and I know that's normal if you're running no cats ... but my buddy who helped me put the pipe on seems to be pretty heavily concerned that the engine may infact starve itself of fuel because the computer is gonna get a false reading due to having no cats. I bought some brand new 02 sensors to put on it as well, and another buddy told me that the computer will read them just fine with or without cats, and the most it should do is make the gas mileage a little bit worse.

Basically what I'm asking is, am I good to go just installing the X-Pipe or should I be worried about the car running too lean and ultimately causing damage? Should I check the air/fuel ratio or should the car be running fine as is?

I appreciate any help fellas. Thanks,
Zack

BleedinBlue

It will run fine as is. The CEL from an o/r midpipe is only an annoyance, and red herring if something really does break on your car.

cahtr6

You will be fine as long as you can live with that light being on all the time. When and if you have a real problem you wont know. You back O2's check function of you cats only. The front ones on the other hand adjust fuel mixture.

97snakebite

Appreciate the help man, but what exactly do ya mean by I won't know when/if I get a real problem? It won't be sensed properly or..?

97snakebite

^^ never mind I know what you're talking about now, obviously I won't know if it's a real problem I've got or not because the C/E light is always gonna be on, lol. My fault.

Thanks for the help guys