Sputtering when i let off the gas

**TIMBO0566** · 04-30-2008, 01:53 AM

Last weekend I installed a set of JBA shorty headers with a set of stainless works 64/65 retro cat back 3 inch exhaust. I also put in a LS-7 clutch flywheel, stainless steel braided lines. I also installed a gmm rip shifter & bosch plus 4 spark plugs with new wires. Well when I let off the gas to change gears I'm getting a lot of sputtering. Is this normal or is it because the battery was dis-connected and the computer was reset? Will this sputtering go away or is it permanent? Has anyone else had this problem?

**Sarge** · 04-30-2008, 02:40 AM

Hey man.....welcome by the way...well the obvious vacuum leak comes to mind.....loose wires or plugs not gapped properly.....I have seen low batteries cause this on 04 GTO's.....is your battery fully charged? Check for a vacuum leak.....be sure your plug wires are on and engaged fully.....what did you gap your plugs at? Charge your battery....let us know....

**TIMBO0566** · 04-30-2008, 03:10 AM

battery is fairly new, I'll check spark plug wires. gap? the plus 4 plugs said they didn't need gaping. as far as the vacuum leak, where do I start to look for that? Thanks for your help. I've read a lot of your post on here I'd like to thank you for all the info and time you've put into helping us newbies. I guess you could call me a fan. Thanks again I'll look into what you said, hopefully i can find it.

**Sarge** · 04-30-2008, 03:21 AM

That's right the Bosch are those 4 point platinum doohickey things

You know now that I have had my coffee.....I am wondering if your new exhaust is causing your ECM to "adjust" the A/F.....O2 sensors reading a lot more burnt gases now and adjusting......bet it is....reset your ECM......

**TIMBO0566** · 04-30-2008, 03:24 AM

How do I do that?

**Sarge** · 04-30-2008, 03:30 AM

Sure.....disconnect your negative battery post....turn your key to the "ON" position....(this discharges the capacitors)....turn the key OFF. Leave your negative battery post off for an hour. Put you cable back on and fire it up.....let it idle...turn on the A/C full blast and let it idle for a minute....turn off the A/C and let it idle for another minute....go out and drive it up to 55-60mph and gear down to 0mph. Do this a couple of times.....make a couple of WOT speed shifting runs up to 70-90mph.....drive normal for a little bit......you are forcing the TPS/Air Fuel Trims to relearn your new setup. Dont kill anybody while your doing this

Let us know man....

**TIMBO0566** · 04-30-2008, 06:14 AM

I tried it and it ditn't work, I'll try it again on my way to work tonight. Thanks again sarge.

**Sarge** · 04-30-2008, 09:28 AM

Sometimes it takes a while( not all that lonmg) but maybe a day of driving to relearn...if this fails....get it tuned with your new mods....

**mark21742** · 05-01-2008, 01:17 AM

in my 04 a4 with lt's and 3 inch duals has a very loud especially off throttle rolling down hill at highway speed (little tin can rattling inside a big tin can) sounding pop as I get back on the throttle. I thought it was just a momentary lean pop from lack of back pressure.... is that the same thing you are talking about? sarge is this anything to worry about or just the sound of (more power ahr ahr ahr)? personally I like the sound but I want to make sure I'm not going to hurt anything..
autolite 103s gaped to .40 with perfect almond color on ceramic.

p.s. if thereis ever a Sarge fan club I'll be one of the first to join! thank you for all the help and guidence Sarge!

**Sarge** · 05-01-2008, 02:05 AM

I'm nothing special guys....an old shade tree mechanic.....
No your not hurting anything...we used to drill holes in our pipes to get that exact "pop" on deceleration

**TIMBO0566** · 05-01-2008, 02:28 AM

It sounds better after driving it alittle while thanks sarge, you da man.

**mark21742** · 05-01-2008, 02:58 AM

maybe Sarge but "the old shade tree mechanic" is a dieing breed that will surely be missed when the only option is the dealership with the $100,000 diagnostic computer. I'm proud to say I spent 4 hard years working with a mean, old, misreable, bodyman. I learned TRUE, metal finshing, lead working and lots of the secrets of life itself from him.... I will always miss and remember Joe and all he taught me.

**Sarge** · 05-01-2008, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by TIMBO0566

It sounds better after driving it alittle while thanks sarge, you da man.

Give it a little time....it is relearning the TPS-Air Fuel tables.....Glad to hear it is learning though....that tells us quite a lot right there.....

**Sarge** · 05-01-2008, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by mark21742

maybe Sarge but "the old shade tree mechanic" is a dieing breed that will surely be missed when the only option is the dealership with the $100,000 diagnostic computer. I'm proud to say I spent 4 hard years working with a mean, old, misreable, bodyman. I learned TRUE, metal finshing, lead working and lots of the secrets of life itself from him.... I will always miss and remember Joe and all he taught me.

LOL...yeah...when I started there was no internet....and the more I am on this internet thing I become aware I am lucky there wasn't an internet.....hell I remember when I "discovered" the Helms Manuals....I thought I had died and gone to heaven...we had to figure shit out on our own....fuck it up and learn to fix it....blow it up and learn to rebuild it....Yeah I still work with Ray Goodman Sr....guy is old school as they come.....top funny car/Altered guy from the SoCal 60's.....Ray Jr. is my buddy and runs a Altered running mid 7's....old man Goodman does most of the wrenching on it....top notch guy...never even seen the internet

**TIMBO0566** · 05-03-2008, 11:34 PM

it's working, but as my luck would have it I lost one of my exhaust tips this week. I priced them at stainless works and they are 236.00....just great. thanks again sarge.

**mark21742** · 05-04-2008, 05:52 AM

TOMBO it sounds like you have my luck lol if it's not one thing it's another

**Sarge** · 05-04-2008, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by TIMBO0566

it's working, but as my luck would have it I lost one of my exhaust tips this week. I priced them at stainless works and they are 236.00....just great. thanks again sarge.

Look at the bright side of things...at least your pecker didnt fall off.