Long tube Headers (Fumes)

[alwaysme]

I started parking inside an enclosed parking garage and noticed the fumes are downright unbearable. I checked with my installer for any leaks and he "eye" inspected it and said I don't need to worry.

This is my first experience with an aftermarket long tube header setup on a land cruiser (or any car for that matter). So my question is, is this normal? the smell is so strong that 3 meters anywhere from left/back side of the 200 will make you gasp for clean air.

Engine is a 5.7 3urfe, LT headers, stock exhaust, no tune.

 

[sptsdn]

The headers replace the manifold and the front pipe (aka the catalytic converter) correct? If so, that's is probably your answer.

 

[alwaysme]

Yes you are right, also the O2 sensors were eliminated, would that be the reason? Do i need simulators (read that somewhere)

 

[sptsdn]

I'm no vehicle emission expert, nor do I play one on the internet but I suspect that smell is a result of the eliminated cat converter. Even though the 5.7 is a modern, relatively clean burning engine, it still emits all the junk that a catalytic converter eliminates or reduces.

I have an old Alfa whose catalytic converter gave up the ghost long ago and the exhaust fumes are horrendous. That's why I suspect (purely a guess here) your LC will continue to emit an unbearable stench until you find a way to replace them.

 

[Salesguy101]

Right, buy if you are smelling gas fumes exhaust... It could be that it is burning richer without the O2 sensors. Also Im guessing that LC do not have o2 sensors before that Cats like most other modern systems?

I Hate exhaust Fumes!!! I had a few older cars with custom pipes cat delete and it makes me sick.

 

[bjowett]

There are 4 sensors, the front 2 need to be retained, the rears can be eliminated, but simulators need to be installed.

 

[snobdds]

How are you not getting a check engine light with no O2 sensors?

 

[alwaysme]

How are you not getting a check engine light with no O2 sensors?

Not sure honestly, I have doug thorley headers w/ straight pipes and so far have done 5000+ KM without any CEL.

There are 4 sensors, the front 2 need to be retained, the rears can be eliminated, but simulators need to be installed.

will it enhance the performance as well or only fix the fumes issue? Where can i find simulators for a Land cruiser 200 5.7? is installation costly?

 

[alwaysme]

From some internet source

In addition to these technical problems, simulators have other risks. Some will harmlessly set additional codes, mostly O2 sensor related codes. But in some cases, they can overload ECM circuits, blow fuses, etc. Some of these problems can adversely effect drivability, or can cause expensive damage. Most retailers of simulators will not take responsibility for such complications. And this says nothing of the long term reliability of such mods. Some units will burn out, water can get into the units and cause shorts and corrosion. Modification often involve cutting and splicing, which can cause problems down the road. This type of modification will very often void your warranty too.

So are these issues worth the miniscule gains? Most vehicles will see less than 5 hp gained from removing a functional converter and in some cases will even loose performance. 5 horsepower will make very little difference to the average driver, and will barely be noticed at the track. These gains also only occur at higher RPMs, so they would be transparent to the everyday driver. The point being that there are an awful lot of risks with something that may not even increase performance, but could cost a lot of money and is illegal. For those looking to gain performance, your money is best spent elsewhere, on things such as larger exhaust pipe, freer flowing mufflers, better intake, etc.

I think ill pass and just live with the fumes..

 

[Doug Thorley Headers]

It is not the headers that are causing the fumes but more then likely the tune that was installed or damaged 02 sensors. Did you have a Unichip installed also? The front o2 sensors MUST be retained as they are what calculate the A/F ratio. Toyota's run very clean so start with the above.

Thanks
Nick

 

[alwaysme]

Did you have a Unichip installed also? The front o2 sensors MUST be retained as they are what calculate the A/F ratio. Toyota's run very clean so start with the above.

no new tune, no previous tune, and no sensors were damaged (NO CEL). When I purchased the package I was asked if it was for a LC or a Tundra (according to the shop, the down pipes had sensors for the Tundra where as the LC package did not, the package consists of Doug Thorley headers + the pipes).

I have a feeling its because the front cats were eliminated, I mean if I'm running rich shouldn't it throw some kind of CEL? I was planning to do a custom exhaust but wouldn't that even make the fumes worse?

 

[Doug Thorley Headers]

Which shop did the install? By installing the long tubes they WILL throw a cel due to the front cats being removed. Usually the shop will either due a new tune i.e. unichip or install an o2 simulator. The Landcruiser headers do have the provisions for the front o2's as they are required for the vehicle to run. If you installed the DT cat delete pipes then you now have removed all 4 cats. By doing that the emissions will definately increase but still should not be as bad as you described.

Nick

 

[alwaysme]

Its a local shop specialized in custom headers and exhaust systems. I was there during the whole install and they did NOT tune or add any kind of simulators/sensors.

These are the cats that were removed, so as per your earlier post it means all my four O2 sensors were taken out?

And yes the fumes are extreme and anyone who has been around my car has mentioned it, so its not just me. No CEL came on since the day I installed the headers.

So lets say I revert back to the stock cats, will the DT headers run without any CEL or issues? will there be a power loss or stress on the cats/engine ?

 

[Doug Thorley Headers]

Always,
Call me at the # below. All four cats were deleted but the shop had to have reinstalled the o2's in order for the truck to run. If they did not then something is definately wrong which would cause the strong emissions smell. If you simply put a set of cats back on more then likely it would ruin them very quuickly. I would solve the install issue first before I went any farther.

Nick