Passenger side header is glowing red

snakesonastang · Mar 11, 2008

I just installed the Edelbrock RPM II intake and MSD pro billet distributor now my passenger side header is glowing red after about 8-10 minutes at idle. The previous setup was a 342 with a custom tune and a ported cobra intake. The intake died at about 5800 rpms, that is why I switched to a better breathing intake. The engine is idling great, and there are no CEL so I don't think there is a vacuum leak. Has anyone had a problem like this?

IceMan · Mar 11, 2008

You are not getting enough fuel in the cylinders... get it tuned...

snakesonastang · Mar 12, 2008

Why would changing the intake create that much difference at idle. I have a custom tune already with a air/fuel ratio of 12/1. Would there be any other reason than a lean condition causing this? The airflow at idle to 4000 rpm on the dyno between the cobra and rpm II intake is minimal. In fact the cobra actually generates more torque and hp at these lower rpm's. I guess I was hoping to be able to swap intakes without having to pay for another tune, or at least be able to drive to the dyno shop. :crying:

ryclef331 · Mar 13, 2008

IceMan said:
You are not getting enough fuel in the cylinders... get it tuned...

WRONG WRONG WRONG.

Please don't spout misinformation off with zero explanation to back up the claims.

High Exhaust gas temps can be caused by BOTH excessively LEAN AND RICH Air fuel ratios and there is no way on a frozen day in hell that a Performer RPM II flows THAT much more than a hogged out cobra to make your headers glow. Never happen.

What is your timing set at? Excessively retarded timing can and WILL cause EXTREMELY HIGH exhaust gas temps b/c the combustion process isn't finished as the exhaust gases are pushed out...so literally, it is burning inside your headers. Are you sure your plug wires are in the correct order? If you had no problems before the changes...and a distributor was one of the mods, i think you have a timing issue.

IceMan · Mar 13, 2008

ryclef331 said:
IceMan said:

You are not getting enough fuel in the cylinders... get it tuned...

Click to expand...

WRONG WRONG WRONG.

Please don't spout misinformation off with zero explanation to back up the claims.

High Exhaust gas temps can be caused by BOTH excessively LEAN AND RICH Air fuel ratios and there is no way on a frozen day in hell that a Performer RPM II flows THAT much more than a hogged out cobra to make your headers glow. Never happen.

What is your timing set at? Excessively retarded timing can and WILL cause EXTREMELY HIGH exhaust gas temps b/c the combustion process isn't finished as the exhaust gases are pushed out...so literally, it is burning inside your headers. Are you sure your plug wires are in the correct order? If you had no problems before the changes...and a distributor was one of the mods, i think you have a timing issue.

Soooooo... what you are trying to say is that he most likely needs a tune??? Just like i said, just tune the car and you should be fine... BTW like he said, check the wires too... No need for a elaborate explanation of the internal combustion engine...

ryclef331 · Mar 13, 2008

IceMan said:
ryclef331 said:

IceMan said:

You are not getting enough fuel in the cylinders... get it tuned...

Click to expand...

WRONG WRONG WRONG.

Please don't spout misinformation off with zero explanation to back up the claims.

High Exhaust gas temps can be caused by BOTH excessively LEAN AND RICH Air fuel ratios and there is no way on a frozen day in hell that a Performer RPM II flows THAT much more than a hogged out cobra to make your headers glow. Never happen.

What is your timing set at? Excessively retarded timing can and WILL cause EXTREMELY HIGH exhaust gas temps b/c the combustion process isn't finished as the exhaust gases are pushed out...so literally, it is burning inside your headers. Are you sure your plug wires are in the correct order? If you had no problems before the changes...and a distributor was one of the mods, i think you have a timing issue.

Click to expand...

Soooooo... what you are trying to say is that he most likely needs a tune??? Just like i said, just tune the car and you should be fine... BTW like he said, check the wires too... No need for a elaborate explanation of the internal combustion engine...

Well, to most people reading that, they would interpret that as "He needs to go strap the car to the rollers and get a chip burnt." which is NOT the case here. The cylinders not getting enough fuel is highly unlikey from only an intake swap. I just switched to a MUCH larger intake and cam and without even changing the tune, my air fuel was still spot on.

trav_19 · Mar 13, 2008

theres no need for a tune...you said you replaced the distributor so i say your timing is messed up ...adjust it

IceMan · Mar 13, 2008

tRaV_19 said:
theres no need for a tune...you said you replaced the distributor so i say your timing is messed up ...adjust it

That is another... Are you running the same timing??? if not, like the man said... adjust it...

snakesonastang · Mar 14, 2008

My timing is set at 12 degrees, which is what is was set before the swap. I'm going to check on the spark plug wires next and make sure they are in the correct firing order. With any hope maybe it will be that simple. Jacksonville, Fla is a long way from my house for the dyno. Thanks for the input.

ryclef331 · Mar 14, 2008

snakesonastang said:
My timing is set at 12 degrees, which is what is was set before the swap. I'm going to check on the spark plug wires next and make sure they are in the correct firing order. With any hope maybe it will be that simple. Jacksonville, Fla is a long way from my house for the dyno. Thanks for the input.

You sure thats 12 degrees ADVANCED and not 12 degrees RETARDED!? I've done it myself....more than once. Its an easy mistake to make.

snakesonastang · Mar 16, 2008

I'm almost a 100% positive. I'm having the guy that installed the motor to come buy and check it out soon. Also, I talked with Tony at HP Performance and he says its a vacuum leak. I'm unable to locate the vacuum leak using the starter fluid technique, this means I'll have to remove and reinstall everything again. It makes me sick looking at my car in the garage knowing I can't drive it. But on a good note, my hood scoop just arrived, so I'll be getting it painted and installed within the next week. Maybe I'll get around on posting some knew pics of the car with the hood scoop and new wheels.

snakesonastang · Mar 16, 2008

What if the distributor was one tooth off, could this be causing the header problem?

LAFENATU · Mar 16, 2008

I think it is a spark issue like Ryclef said - check your timing.

snakesonastang · Apr 6, 2008

Well it's taken awhile to diagnose the problem but as of yesterday, I've been hitting the streets with my car. It turns out that the egr was suppose to have been turned off with my last custom tune. The problem was that the egr was not blocked off and this created a vacuum leak. This is why the car started perfect, idled perfect, but the header would start glowing red after a couple of minutes. Unmetered air is a very nasty thing to our sensitive mustangs. Anyway, I'll be getting some new dyno numbers soon and posting the results of the upgrades. Thanks for everyones input and maybe I'll be able to return the favor in the future.