I'm Rich!!! - Honda Prelude Forum

BryanS · 03-07-2002, 07:20 AM

Running rich that is...

I polished up my exhaust yesterday so that it was shiney and new looking. I drove 30 miles to work, without really ever hitting VTEC, and looked at it again when I arrived. The inside of the tip was all carboned up pretty bad again. I have heard that these cars run rich, especially after a few mods, but this seems extreme to me.

I have done just an exhaust (Thermal) and intake (AEM CAI) thus far. I'm trying to plan my next mod and I know that most people go for the header next, but my question is this: might I benefit as much or more from a VAFC?

I am thinking that with the VAFC I can get my car running less rich, make a bit more power than now, and have a new light up thingee in my dash. I'm not too concerned with fuel economy, but with all that unburned fuel passing right out the back, wouldn't I stand to gain a bit of economy, at least getting more power from the fuel if not more mileage?

The price of a header and the VAFC wouldn't be too different, but with dyno tuning I might wind up spending a bit more on the VAFC. I figure that if/when I get a header I'd go with Greddy since it seems to be quite a bit better quality than the DC Sports headers.

JDM Lude · 03-07-2002, 08:17 AM

there is a fair amount of power to be gained with the VAFC, assuming you get it tuned on a dyno

Brady92/4WS · 03-07-2002, 02:54 PM

no matter what your gonna get carbon build up it is a natural byproduct of an explosion.

BryanS · 03-07-2002, 02:58 PM

Maybe I'm wrong, but I was thinking that the carbon buildup I was experiencing was excessive. Would the amount vary much depending on how rich the car was running? Has anyone with a tuned VAFC noticed a decrease in carbon after installing and tuning it?

G_Loc · 03-07-2002, 04:05 PM

i got a 93 Si. my stock exhaust tips get black after a few miles and my fuel mileage is pretty crappy too. i would also be interested to know if a VAFC can help me.

ludethugs · 03-07-2002, 04:38 PM

VAFC should help lower down fuel consumption, and actually make your car run better .... also maybe an aftermarket ignition system is a good idea.

Machine Head · 03-07-2002, 10:44 PM

Your not the only one..
My story...

After installing my I/H/E/P and bored TB...I noticed ecxessive carbon buildups on my tailpipe.

I always knew ludes ran rich from the factory but this was a bit much. To confirm my woes I bought an A/F gauge and plugged that mofo in...yup sure enough I was in the outermost portions of "rich" on the gauge almost 80% of the time..even during light loads.

So figured time for a new fuel rail and FPR with some cam gears for tuning. After installing the rail/FPR I actually started by LOWERING my fuel pressure..and boy did it help.. on full throttle I used fart and pop..well no more...I pretty much just drove around for hours stopping to reset the ecu and play with the fuel pressure until I had perfect mixture on the gauge during idle/normal driving with the richness coming on only when under WOT or heavy driving with the expected spikes during upshift... this worked good for a few months...

I have begun to run a little rich as of late (cold weather??)..so instead of turning down the FPR any more I have decided to go with the MSD SCI/ Coil/ 8.5 m wires and new plugs.. when I'm all done I'll do a write up and tell you all how it went..or helped the situation...

brendon2k · 03-07-2002, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brady92/4WS
no matter what your gonna get carbon build up it is a natural byproduct of an explosion.

We'll in life you will get carbon build up but the bi-product of buring a hydrocarbon should water and carbon dioxide.

Fast&furiuslude · 03-07-2002, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by brendon2k

We'll in life you will get carbon build up but the bi-product of buring a hydrocarbon should water and carbon dioxide.

'

Chemistry major?

andrewdelvard · 03-09-2002, 05:53 AM

Take a look at this product. I've used it, it's good.
http://www.10kboost.com/

U.K VTEC · 03-09-2002, 06:27 AM

True. I used it on a mates RS turbo and it did make a difference.
Might have to do it to mine this weekend...