Lost power after header /cat install- Help!!!

RallyRacer · May 8, 2003

I have an '01 automagic ZX3. My mods before the header/cat install were Borla cat-back, removed EGR, Diablo chip, Volant intake and Esslinger UDP. My car has some nice gains from all of these mods but when I installed my Ford Racing header and Random high-flow cat I noticed a decrease in power! My car can barely get off the line

After 4500rpm the engine seems to make more power but since this is an automatic the lack of low end power is killing performance.

I have Ford racing cam gears and I am ordering Crower Stage-1 cams. Is there a way I can time my gears to make up for the loss of low end power?
Getting rid of the Borla is not an option, I love the sound too much

Would a high-stall converter help me get moving? I have a huge B&M tranny coooler so heat would not be an issue.

Any automatics out there with an opened exhaust? Does anyone else have power issues in the first few thousand rpm?

140orbust · May 8, 2003

Ditto on the Borla, I love mine!

I have a manual but when I took my car in to have cam gears tuned I did come across a few settings that had decent gains over 0,0 in the low end to 4000 and then the high end was much lower than stock. Maybe this will be better for you and obviously more streetable power. My best low end setting produced 7 less peak horsepower but up to 4000-4500 rpms I was between 1-4 horsepower higher. I think it would be worth it for you to play around with the tuning on a dyno.

jRock · May 8, 2003

You lose power low down with the auto and header. You can get your cam gears tuned make up or 'balance' your power.

Got any track times?

ZX3_runner138 · May 8, 2003

NO to be a smart@$$ but isn't automatic and fast an oxymoron?? I'd say get a 5 speed personally, I dout this helps but....

RallyRacer · May 9, 2003

ZX3_runner138
On the "smart@$$" comment you are half right

; but I know you are not trying to be you just can't help it right

Anyways, I own an AUTOMATIC and I am looking for others with AUTOMATICS for help on this problem.

jonnyups · May 9, 2003

i have an atx with a fr head and stage 1 cams and noticed after tuning the gears that i lost some low end but it hits pretty good at app 3500-4000rpm.

dyno tuning is a must and it costs much $$$$'s. i spent $200 but now have a good starting point for future tuning. it'll get tuned right with dyno time and money.

mods: cai,tb,cat-back,shorty header chip,head,cams and gears and a chip.

RKZX2 · May 9, 2003

i agree with jRock. you will lose power on the bottom but gain on the top. again, yes, cam gears will "compensate" for the loss.

belnaper · May 9, 2003

i had the same prob. i put the stock exhaust back on and removed the resignater. From stock muffler to back is 2.5 pipe. sounds ok and saves tourq for the outo. i also have the svt header and cat. it might be a little bit diff. flow rate than your set up. you just need to mess with your back presure.

llama_in_a_focus · May 9, 2003

yo jrock, how ya been?

jRock · May 9, 2003

Pretty good bro, I screamed through those tires already and have new ones now. I'm headed to Kennendale Sunday to try and hit 10.5. If I don't do it then I'm buying an UDP ASAP. Let me know how you and your girl are doing in a PM.

FastFocusZX3 · May 9, 2003

try getting the Borla Venturi Pipe... it might increase your back pressure and aid in low end power... you might also consider switching to a 2.25 in. exhaust...

BLOWNSTANG · May 9, 2003

Originally posted by RallyRacer:
I have Ford racing cam gears and I am ordering Crower Stage-1 cams. Is there a way I can time my gears to make up for the loss of low end power?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Are your cam gears installed? If so, did you dyno tune them? If so, right down the positions they are in(future reference). Then advance both cams 2 degrees and see if it changes anything. If it feels better, then try 2 more.

If anyone thinks this won't work, speak up. I don't mind being corrected. I just think advancing both cams will help low end.

REVSWIN · May 10, 2003

Originally posted by RallyRacer:
I have an '01 automagic ZX3. My mods before the header/cat install were Borla cat-back, removed EGR, Diablo chip, Volant intake and Esslinger UDP. My car has some nice gains from all of these mods but when I installed my Ford Racing header and Random high-flow cat I noticed a decrease in power! My car can barely get off the line

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Going a little off topic for a minute, how much louder did your car get with the addition of the FR Header and Random Tech cat? That is tha combo I was looking towards but am worried about being too loud.

Shiva Chaos · May 10, 2003

i'm running a dying automatic with the below mods

SyNRG · May 10, 2003

Originally posted by RallyRacer:
I have an '01 automagic ZX3. My mods before the header/cat install were Borla cat-back, removed EGR, Diablo chip, Volant intake and Esslinger UDP. My car has some nice gains from all of these mods but when I installed my Ford Racing header and Random high-flow cat I noticed a decrease in power! My car can barely get off the line

After 4500rpm the engine seems to make more power but since this is an automatic the lack of low end power is killing performance.

I have Ford racing cam gears and I am ordering Crower Stage-1 cams. Is there a way I can time my gears to make up for the loss of low end power?
Getting rid of the Borla is not an option, I love the sound too much

Would a high-stall converter help me get moving? I have a huge B&M tranny coooler so heat would not be an issue.

Any automatics out there with an opened exhaust? Does anyone else have power issues in the first few thousand rpm?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">what type of header are u running? (no not manufacurer)

RallyRacer · May 10, 2003

REVSWIN
I did the install one peice at a time first I did:

Borla = Awesome low grumble and deep tone
Borla + Random Cat = Same tone but louder
Borla + Random + FR Header = Lounder! and a little buzzy.

Its not too bad, not like most Hondas I hear. I actually like the sound, the Borla tone doesnt change too much and still sounds deep. Its definitely not too loud for the police ( I have passed many without problems

)

Lost power after header /cat install- Help!!!

RallyRacer

140orbust

jRock

ZX3_runner138

RallyRacer

jonnyups

RKZX2

belnaper

llama_in_a_focus

jRock

FastFocusZX3

BLOWNSTANG

REVSWIN

Shiva Chaos

SyNRG

RallyRacer

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