Headers and cats WITHOUT Mopar PCM question?

[VIPER GTSR 91]

I am wanting to install Belanger headers and hi flo cats to my 09 ACR but WITHOUT an aftermarket PCM. Have any owners done this set up and the big question I have is do you have any check engine light issues with keeping the stock PCM? Thanks.

 

[redtanrt10]

When I first added headers I didn't have the mopar ECU. Going that route the CEL is when, not if.

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

Thats what I was afraid of and changing out the ECU each year to pass Texas inspection is a real hassle IMO.

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

Changing out the PCM is a breeze, BUT the car will not pass anyway even with it if the CEL is triggered.

Thats what I was afraid of and changing out the ECU each year to pass Texas inspection is a real hassle IMO.

 

[ViperGeorge]

I understand that you can set up an LLC in MT and register your car, boat, or RV there. No tax, no inspection. www.mtvehicles.com

 

[TheOldViperMan]

I understand that you can set up an LLC in MT and register your car, boat, or RV there. No tax, no inspection. www.mtvehicles.com

I tried that and it did not work for me in Texas. I bought a hugh RV and had the LLC thing done by a "law firm" in MT.
A Texas DPS pulled me over for no reason at all. He asked for my license, noted I had a Texas license, and gave me a ticket for no safety sticked.
The Judge bragged that "Texas ain't Montana, and if you have a Texas Driver's license, a Texas address, and drive on Texas highways, you better have a Texas inspection sticker".
To be honest, I admit that on the paperwork from the "law firm" it had a disclosure that "some states do not recognize MT LLC's and may require additional paperwork".
I throw "------" around "law firm" because it turned out to be a guy working out of his house. Nice web site though.
BillyC

 

[redtanrt10]

Thats what I was afraid of and changing out the ECU each year to pass Texas inspection is a real hassle IMO.

I'm dreading my first CA smog test, probably will come this November, then it's every other year after that. As Mark J said it won't pass with a CEL. Do a search on the board, swap out the ecu, get the code cleared than have the original ecu re-learn. Seems like you'll need to drive about 50 miles? (the thread will tell you how much).

I went 200-250 miles before the CEL. Dan Cragin and others told me if you drive it moderate to hard the it won't throw a code, easy cruising will. I remember when it came on, 60-70 steady mph on a back country road heading to the track.


Your in a good area with lot's of viper shops, I'm sure one of them can help you with a swap and passing emiisions

 

[TrackAire]

I had the ACR-X headers with high flow cats installed on my 09 without the Mopar PCM. Ran without a CEL for around 2100 miles. Then it would pop up, especially at times when I was stuck in traffic, etc. If I kept the cars rpms up and driving at normal speeds, not too much of an issue.

I firmly believe the issue is with the aftermarket cats, they are a disposable item. You will get "X" amount of time on them, then they start to degrade. Sorry, they just aren't able to last like the stock (heavy and 3 times the size) system does. Just budget for new cats if you want to run them and run clean. I now have two exhaust systems, one with the cat and one without a cat. I also now run the Mopar PCM....no more CEL's regardless of which system I run.

FYI, after I installed the headers and hi flow cats, I had the car smogged just to see what the numbers were. I was within 1-3% (IIRC) of the cars stock numbers when it was new (had to have it smogged when brand new since I bought it out of state). In otherwords, it would have passed California's smog test with flying colors. I posted the results on the forum, I think about 3 years ago. Visually it is not smog legal with headers and a single cat, but how many smog techs know exactly what kind of exhaust manifolds a Viper uses?

George

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

Good reply TrackAire, and I have since learned about the O2 simulators for about 194.00 that fools the computer about the readings for applications without an aftermarket ECU and no check engine light??

 

[Herc]

Just had my 2006, Belanger full system and engine work, pass here in Utah with O2 sims. The car does have a flash from DC. Had one "not ready" (O2 heater) but Utah will pass
with one. There was a drive cycle timer, miles I believe, that had to be complete which was programed in according to my Viper guy.

Herc

 

[TrackAire]

Good reply TrackAire, and I have since learned about the O2 simulators for about 194.00 that fools the computer about the readings for applications without an aftermarket ECU and no check engine light??

I don't think that will work on the Gen 4, earlier Gens yes. One of the Viper tuners will probably confirm.
I went with the Mopar PCM because I have lower gears and a full race ACR-X exhaust (no cats) and when coming to a slow stop in gear, the car sounded like small shots were going off from a gun because of the decel popping. In city areas with foot traffic, this was causing a little too much unwanted attention. The skip shift and slighter higher rev limit were a bonus.

Cheers,
George

 

[mbccenter]

We have had very good luck at M&M without a CEL light on the gen 4. Better price and header can't go wrong.

 

[Viper Garage Elite]

Well I have 2010 acr with full bellanger headers and high flo cats and have 2 not readys. O2 and catalytic damn car will not pass NY emissions. Still looking for a solution? No check engine light on. Will the O2 simulators work for me.

 

[HobokenViper]

I'm due for an inspection in NJ. My car has high flow cats installed, 3.73 gearing, and K&N air filters. Do you guys think it will pass in this condition? I only have 2,400 miles on the car. Hope I won't have a problem.....

 

[ACRucrazy]

$5 and you're set.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[SilveRT8]

I had Belanger headers and H/F cats on my 08 with and without the Mopar PCM for nearly 4 years.
No issues or Cell lights with the Mopar PCM, no more skip shift, smooth strong power but no more exhaust popping on decel.
So, I put back the OE PCM and the car ran fine also, a little rougher sounding and some nice popping on decel, wich is the way I liked it better.
If the cats dont get hot enough like idling or low rev cruising for long stretchs on the highway, than the Cell light would come on.
I had a little Dashawk gauge plug in device with wich I could easily read and erase any trouble code, with this you would be fine.
Where I live we do not have to pass Inspections yet, so I have no knowledge about this.