okok.. I'm completely new to the truck world and am still having trouble with the lingo around here. What is the difference in running lean and rich? What are the causes and possible issues that come with them. Is tuning the only way to correct these issues? If so, whats my best option for correcting the "problem" even if the problem is worth correcting.

 

First of all, do you have either?

 

thats the thing, i don't how to tell.. lol? whats the difference?

the reason im asking is in the event i decide to install a CAI and exhaust, i've heard the engine runs lean, and i'm afraid that would happen to me as well

then again, im not sure id be able to tell if im running lean to begin with, how do you know?

 

Definitions first.
Lean = excess air or to little fuel for a given 'correct' air to fuel ratio.
Rich = excess fuel or to little air to meet the same "correct' air to fuel ratio.
This applies to idle, cruise low power demands, accelleration and to WOT.
You can't tell what you have at anytime except for the PCM program monitoring and setting code for either condition as determined by software tables, or using a wide band ox sensor to data log under all operating conditions.
Most often a change to the air inlet on 04 and later motors can cause a lean condition due to the design of the stock intake tract.
There is a mass air meter that samples about 10% of the air flow. Changing things sometimes upsets this sample percentage by reducing to less than 10% causing a lean condition to be detected. The WOT 'may' not be affected but that's up to measuring with the wide band Ox sensor to find out because there is measured airflow and fixed tables involved.
The only way to resolve issues is a tune that alters the translated signals to richen up the fuel in the areas affected.

 

I spoke to my stepfather yesterday who is an ASE mechanic and builds drag cars as a hobby. He told me basically the same as you just mentioned needing a wide band sensor to measure the air/fuel ration at WOT. He said you could put in an adjustable fuel pressure regulator and fatten it up on the top end at WOT and it would eventually even itself out on the bottom end, thus fixing your lean condition at WOT w/out the need of a programmer and custom map. Has anyone here tried this to your knowledge?

 

I just priced the wide band sensors and they aren't cheap. If the Edge Evo will allow you to adjust air/fuel ratios at WOT like it states, you might as well spend the extra $150 and get one of those. What's your thoughts on this Bluegrass?

 

If you have an 04+ your fuel system is a returnless system. There is no fuel pressure regulator. The fuel pressure is maintained by varying the fuel pump voltage.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

He's probably not up to date on newer models. That makes sense to me though.

 

With only an exhaust and a tweaked airtube you have nothing to worry about.

When that check engine light comes on and the subsequent code scan tells you that the engine is running lean (or rich) outside of its ability to compensate, then you will know.

The proper sized exhaust won't affect things.

A CAI won't have an effect, since the factory jazz flows more than enough for the engine already.