Running Testpipes without o2 Sensor

brianx42

Hey,

Finally installed my testpipes!! Overall, easy install. I've read up on the "demon bolts" and pb blasted them 2 days in advanced. They both came out no problem. However, my biggest challenge was removing the o2 sensor from the original cats to transfer them onto my aftermarket ones. I tried to torch it, pb blast them and everything. I finally managed to get one out but I stripped the s** of a b****. So my question is.
"Is it bad to run my testpipes without a o2 sensor"

Can rain or dirt over time damage any component?

I'll soon be posting my setup of my exhaust, which is AAM Comp Non-Resonated Testpipe with the Beluga Catback.

OhioYJ

You need to plug the hole if nothing else. They sell plugs for this, like this for example (<--just an example, plenty of choices out there).

Also note without a flash to disable the the O2 sensors or some sort of O2 sensor simulator you will have a check engine light without the O2 sensor. Most people I know that have tried simulators on other modern vehicles haven't had much luck, and end up needing the ECU flash anyways.

brianx42

Thanks. I didn't know i was suppose to plug the whole. I've been running them open for a couple of weeks

OhioYJ

Yeah, that's got to sound awful (maybe it's so loud you don't hear the exhaust leak), not to mention with just test-pipes, you probably have flames coming out those holes at points right now. You don't want that.... Pick up some plugs of some sort. Make sure you put some anti-seize compound on the threads in case you want to ever remove them again.

brianx42

oh boy. I really really really hope i didn't damage anything under there if my car did shoot flames out that tiny hole!