Headers are Glowing

[FAST3V]

Ok, so maybe a few of you remember my last thread here about "Bolt Came Through Whipple"

I got the car re-assembled, and was able to get all my mods that were lying around squared away, which included:

127550 Cam
Phaser Limiters
Super Cobra Jet Oval TB
JPC Rear Blower Inlet
JPC 4.5 Intake Pipe


The blower cam and extra air flow definitely gives my car a new sound. It is louder with a different pulse and pitch. SOUNDS GREAT!!! Before I fired it up, I reflashed the pcm for the limiter adjustments..and thats it. It has yet to be retuned for everything. I am not ripping it at all..driving it very easy and carefully until I do get it tuned. The transfer function is way off..and my idle is at 1200ish now..so, lots of things to get dialed in...

I have noticed though..at night, after driving for a while, my Mac LT Headers are glowing red. I have never noticed this before, so I think it just started doing this after the rebuild with the mentioned mods. Is this because of the exhaust duration from the cam? My tune doesnt really have any timing down low, so could it be that? Maybe timing?

Not sure how normal this is, or how bad of an issue this could be. Any insight would be helpful thanks.

 

[S197gt07]

Is it glowing on all the pipes or specific cylinders?

If its specific cylinders, this is a good place to start:
http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62051&highlight=glowing+headers

 

[JeremyH]

Tune.

 

[FAST3V]

No, every tube is glowing.

My AFR is what it should be..my coolant temp is what it should be...and my oil temps are maybe slightly on the high side, but it is hotter outside..so maybe not much noticed there.

 

[KenB]

If your timing is too low that can happen. Unburnt fuel in the exhaust.

I would fix that before you burn up an exhaust value.

If your headers are glowing....what do you think the valve looks like.?


If it's not timing, it could be the cam timing, but you said the car seems to be driving ok.

 

[FAST3V]

Cold start up is a slight struggle..Smoke comes out of the exhaust, smells like gas it seems..but smoothens out. Yes, car is driving fine with slight tune issues..nothing crazy.

All 24 valves are brand new. I failed to mention that....Break-in?

 

[86GT351]

Cold start up is a slight struggle..Smoke comes out of the exhaust, smells like gas it seems..but smoothens out. Yes, car is driving fine with slight tune issues..nothing crazy.

All 24 valves are brand new. I failed to mention that....Break-in?

Read the post above yours and go from there.

 

[FAST3V]

Yep. I am absolutely taking in all of the feedback, thanks. I am hoping it is indeed the timing deal, because I am unsure how it could be the cam timing. I have a lot of faith that the cam was installed correctly.

Thanks guys...Off to the tuner asap.

 

[gil_t2]

Did you lap all the valves in when you installed them?

 

[KenB]

Cold start up is a slight struggle..Smoke comes out of the exhaust, smells like gas it seems..but smoothens out. Yes, car is driving fine with slight tune issues..nothing crazy.

All 24 valves are brand new. I failed to mention that....Break-in?

Sounds like the tune is way off and rich on cold start. Then the 02s trim the fuel out 'enough' to seem ok. But the issue is, it's probably very rich on tip in etc. So it's probably just a combination of a lot of things.

Personally I would not drive it until you fix it.

 

[DirtyDogOfTheDesert]

......All 24 valves are brand new.....

They won't be for very long. Stop driving it and get it tuned!!

 

[TexasBlownV8]

Well the car just sounds freakin nasty, in a 'hell yeah' sort of way !!!

Does need a retune though for sure.

 

[JeremyH]

I guess everyone missed post # 3 the first time through? lol

 

[strong_j]

With the 550's u need a tune badly. You will destroy ur valves if u drive it untuned. once u install it u can start it up and let it idle to make sure everything is okay, but that's it. After everything is A okay then u turn the car off and get it tuned ASAP before u drive it.

I guess everyone missed post # 3 the first time through? lol

U know us forum members. We have to be told 60 billion times before we actually listen. Lol.

 

[toorbeenee]

Too rich

 

[FAST3V]

so are you sure its the tune.....


lol

 

[86GT351]

so are you sure its the tune.....


lol

Impossible to be sure but you are not going to get a specific answer on the internet. Only person that can confirm the issue is the person looking at the car!

 

[bumo]

Off topic. What power gains can someone expect with these?

JPC Rear Blower Inlet
JPC 4.5 Intake Pipe

 

[FAST3V]

way too hard to tell man. More airflow=more power...but there are a lot of other factors in play that determine the gains you will get. Depends on your setup. What boost level, what throttle body, what maf housing..etc

 

[Rene06GT]

Ur timing is of off, ur valves maybe slightly open on the power stroke leaving unburned fuel in there plus allowing the explosion move in to the headers, with this big of a Cam u must get it tuned to adjust everything. Id stop driving as well before ur luck runs out and u smack a valve..... If u don't mind who do u plan to use for the tune?