[CLB]

Hello

I purchased a intercooler, new intercooler pipes, CVFab Downpipe and MBRP Exhaust. I was bored this weekend but short on time, so I decided to install just the downpipe and exhaust. At first there was a leak at the back of the turbo. I ordered the upgraded stainless gasket, and it wasn't quite sealed. After loosening the bracket for the DP, I believe I was able to seal the DP to the turbo. The reason I say "believe" is, I noticed an odor and faint white smoke. I know that a lot of parts, especially cats, come coated and that the coating has to be burned off. It's not a thick white smoke like a blown gasket. It's "faint". The odor is what is bothering me. I'm wondering if it is an exhaust leak that my ECU just isn't picking up? (I have no error codes) Or if it is part of the "burning off" process?

2nd question - My Air to Fuel ratio is all over the place when I let off the throttle. No, I haven't yet tuned it for the DP and figure that is why. Or is it?

I'm just trying to bounce ideas off of you fine folks. I usually have no issues with mechanical work. But, I'm doubting myself for some reason on this install.

 

[PerfectDaily]

So I recently just did this myself. If you go to my thread (The Perfect Daily), you can look at my build sheet. If you got a catless DP like I did, the smell just comes with the territory lol. But it only happens when you've been on an extended drive or you've had a little too much "fun". But it doesn't mean anything is actually wrong with the car as far as I know. You're getting more airflow since your new exhaust and DP more than likely have a wider diameter than the stock parts, which also means you're getting more exhasut fumes.

As far as the white smoke goes, that could be a few different things. Not sure what year your car is, but its a common issue on earlier Ecoboosts that Ford is well aware of but says its just a natural occurrence of the car. Mine has done it a few times after I've let it idle for long periods of time. However, it could be anything from bad sensor, an actual engine issue, or quite frankly nothing at all. Sometimes moisture builds up in the exhaust and just needs to be burned off. Its usually nothing too serious, but I'd advise you to do a little bit of troubleshooting just in case. There are a million threads on "white smoke" on this site and all over the internet because of how common it is.

I don't have too much info on your A/F ratio issue because that's something that may be specific to your car, but maybe someone else does. You technically don't HAVE to get it tuned after adding an exhaust or DP, but your car will perform a lot better if you do and the driving experience would be better as well. Throttle response will improve too. However, once you get the intercooler and charge pipes put on, getting it tuned is pretty much a must. An upgraded wastegate would help as well, but I'm not really sure what your goal for your car is.

 

[Coyote Chaser]

Hello

I purchased a intercooler, new intercooler pipes, CVFab Downpipe and MBRP Exhaust. I was bored this weekend but short on time, so I decided to install just the downpipe and exhaust. At first there was a leak at the back of the turbo. I ordered the upgraded stainless gasket, and it wasn't quite sealed. After loosening the bracket for the DP, I believe I was able to seal the DP to the turbo. The reason I say "believe" is, I noticed an odor and faint white smoke. I know that a lot of parts, especially cats, come coated and that the coating has to be burned off. It's not a thick white smoke like a blown gasket. It's "faint". The odor is what is bothering me. I'm wondering if it is an exhaust leak that my ECU just isn't picking up? (I have no error codes) Or if it is part of the "burning off" process?

2nd question - My Air to Fuel ratio is all over the place when I let off the throttle. No, I haven't yet tuned it for the DP and figure that is why. Or is it?

I'm just trying to bounce ideas off of you fine folks. I usually have no issues with mechanical work. But, I'm doubting myself for some reason on this install.

A 3" down pipe can make your engine run slightly lean. Your ECU will make minor adjustments slowly. You may want to log your STFT and LTFT to confirm progress.
What type of tuning equipment do you have?

 

[Buldawg76]

I would get the IC and charge pipes installed ASAP so your intake charge temps are kept as low as possible to help prevent any preignition/detonation issues from the freer flowing exhaust going to lean of an AFR.

If your AFR is staying above 15 for any length of time under throttle, I would be cautious since it could be too lean and do some engine damage.

BD

 

[CLB]

So I recently just did this myself. If you go to my thread (The Perfect Daily), you can look at my build sheet. If you got a catless DP like I did, the smell just comes with the territory lol. But it only happens when you've been on an extended drive or you've had a little too much "fun". But it doesn't mean anything is actually wrong with the car as far as I know. You're getting more airflow since your new exhaust and DP more than likely have a wider diameter than the stock parts, which also means you're getting more exhasut fumes.

As far as the white smoke goes, that could be a few different things. Not sure what year your car is, but its a common issue on earlier Ecoboosts that Ford is well aware of but says its just a natural occurrence of the car. Mine has done it a few times after I've let it idle for long periods of time. However, it could be anything from bad sensor, an actual engine issue, or quite frankly nothing at all. Sometimes moisture builds up in the exhaust and just needs to be burned off. Its usually nothing too serious, but I'd advise you to do a little bit of troubleshooting just in case. There are a million threads on "white smoke" on this site and all over the internet because of how common it is.

I don't have too much info on your A/F ratio issue because that's something that may be specific to your car, but maybe someone else does. You technically don't HAVE to get it tuned after adding an exhaust or DP, but your car will perform a lot better if you do and the driving experience would be better as well. Throttle response will improve too. However, once you get the intercooler and charge pipes put on, getting it tuned is pretty much a must. An upgraded wastegate would help as well, but I'm not really sure what your goal for your car is.

I appreciate your reply. I was looking for a thread on the topic but didn't see yours. I went ahead and got the catted version. I've installed headers on V8s and there was a funny smell. The manufacturer at that time said it was a chemical they coat the inside of the pipes to repel condensation during storage and shipment. It would make sense to me if CVFab did something similar. I put a good 20 miles on it this morning. The odor is still there, but I didn't notice the smoke. Both may be correcting.

The A/F ratio stays right at 14 until I let off the throttle then it jumps. I'm just watching it now to see if the ECU finds its happy place.

Wastegate is already on the list. I'm looking for one at the moment. I've already put the request in with PD tuning to get things running properly while I install the various parts. Throttle response has already been requested. The car's purpose is mostly a daily with some circuit racing included. I don't drag or street race. Suspension, brakes and steering are at the top of my priorities, followed by HP and Torque specs. I've just started the motor and gearbox work.

I'm a chronic overthinker. I admit.

 

[CLB]

I would get the IC and charge pipes installed ASAP so your intake charge temps are kept as low as possible to help prevent any preignition/detonation issues from the freer flowing exhaust going to lean of an AFR.

If your AFR is staying above 15 for any length of time under throttle, I would be cautious since it could be too lean and do some engine damage.

BD

Thank you, sir. It's on the menu. I'm hoping this weekend. I was just being lazy as I knew I could install the exhaust parts quickly.

AFR is right at 14 under throttle - moderate to WOT. It jumps when I let all the way off the throttle. To me that says ECU is still adjusting. Though I could be wrong of course. Wouldn't be the first and won't be the last time.

 

[CLB]

A 3" down pipe can make your engine run slightly lean. Your ECU will make minor adjustments slowly. You may want to log your STFT and LTFT to confirm progress.
What type of tuning equipment do you have?

I have a COBB access port. Are they ever going to re-release Access Tuner?

 

[MD18EcoStang]

I have a COBB access port. Are they ever going to re-release Access Tuner?

I've been waiting for a year. I wouldn't be surprised if they never did, but I'm open to being surprised...

 

[Buldawg76]

Thank you, sir. It's on the menu. I'm hoping this weekend. I was just being lazy as I knew I could install the exhaust parts quickly.

AFR is right at 14 under throttle - moderate to WOT. It jumps when I let all the way off the throttle. To me that says ECU is still adjusting. Though I could be wrong of course. Wouldn't be the first and won't be the last time.

The AFR will go to 20 on closed throttle coast down which is a normal reading since the injectors pretty much shut off on coast down.

BD

 

[CLB]

The AFR will go to 20 on closed throttle coast down which is a normal reading since the injectors pretty much shut off on coast down.

BD

The AFR will go to 20 on closed throttle coast down which is a normal reading since the injectors pretty much shut off on coast down.

BD

Oh that's normal? Cause that was freaking me out a little. It jumps to 20 every time I let off the throttle. I downshift and trail brake turns (track habits) and to come to a stop. I noticed it goes back to 14 on the downshift. One less thing to worry about. Thank you for the info.

 

[Coyote Chaser]

Oh that's normal? Cause that was freaking me out a little. It jumps to 20 every time I let off the throttle. I downshift and trail brake turns (track habits) and to come to a stop. I noticed it goes back to 14 on the downshift. One less thing to worry about. Thank you for the info.

Your doing a lot better than I am! Since I loaded the E85 tune from Ryan, via Jessie @ EMS, mine idles at 14.7 and when I let up on the thottle, my AFR bounces to 40!
Since your on pump gas, which is also E10, 14.0 is good.

 

[PerfectDaily]

I appreciate your reply. I was looking for a thread on the topic but didn't see yours. I went ahead and got the catted version. I've installed headers on V8s and there was a funny smell. The manufacturer at that time said it was a chemical they coat the inside of the pipes to repel condensation during storage and shipment. It would make sense to me if CVFab did something similar. I put a good 20 miles on it this morning. The odor is still there, but I didn't notice the smoke. Both may be correcting.

The A/F ratio stays right at 14 until I let off the throttle then it jumps. I'm just watching it now to see if the ECU finds its happy place.

Wastegate is already on the list. I'm looking for one at the moment. I've already put the request in with PD tuning to get things running properly while I install the various parts. Throttle response has already been requested. The car's purpose is mostly a daily with some circuit racing included. I don't drag or street race. Suspension, brakes and steering are at the top of my priorities, followed by HP and Torque specs. I've just started the motor and gearbox work.

I'm a chronic overthinker. I admit.

If you do decide to get it tuned, can you post the map? I'm not sure how much of my thread you read, but I recently had mine tuned and I was trying to determine how much power was or wasn't left on the table after the tune. Since it seems like you're going to have a VERY similar setup to mine, it'd be interesting to compare notes. Mine was tuned on 93 just so you know.