Little update, even though not much has happened lately. That right side exhaust cat-to-head pipe fitting seems to have been a bit loose. Shortly after getting home from that last autocross event, the car posted a CEL. With the code reader, I discovered it the no. 2 pass side O2 sensor. Sooo, ordered a new one, and installed it. Cleared the codes, drove it a bit, and the light didn't light.
Took it in to get an inspection done, and it FAILED. The reason it failed was because two of the emissions sensors were set to 'Not Ready' status. In Texas, you can pass with one sensor in a Not Ready state, but not two. Seems if you clear the O2 sensor code, it resets TWO sensors, the O2 and Evap system sensors!!! Sonofabisch!
Inspector Dude (TM) stated that I had to drive the car some, and include as many as two dozen start cycles. That drive distance can be as much as 100 miles!!!! WTF?!?! So, I drive it and drive it, and keep checking the sensor status, noting the two sensors are still Not Ready, but there are also 'Pending codes'. Anyway, took it on a prety long trip, and was almost back to the house, running through my schedule in my mind to see when I might want to take the car back to the inspection station when <BING!> <BING!> <BING!> the feaking CEL came on again!!
Shortly after that, the ABS and Traction Control lights came on, too. WTF**2? Unfortunately, my current code reader doesn't do brake or body sensor readings, so I had to get a new reader that would do that. While waiting for that unit to arrive (Blue Driver Model LSB2 Bluetooth-enabled reader), I ordered a couple of ball-socket-style head pipes from Summit. They were Kooks parts. I figured the belled end would help seal the connection between the factory-style ball and socket joint off the end of the cat, and would wedge between the flat faced header flange on the exhaust system. I had to cut most of the pipe off the new head pipe, burning up two sawsall blades because of the thick metal the pipe was made from, and it slipped up into the existing exhaust pipe and set well on the ball socket on the cat. After tightening things up and starting the car, all seems nice and leak-free. Only a few more start cycles and miles on the car with expired inspection/registration will tell.
When the new OBDII reader arrived, I scanned the system and discovered the left rear wheel speed sensor was failed. I ordered another one (~$85.00, IIRC!) and while in the process of installing it, I shined a light into the hole the sensor is inserted into and found a little ball of schmutz. I pulled that chunk out with a pair of forceps and discovered it was a ball of rusty dirt. I can only think the last autocross event may have broken some of that dirt loose and the maneuvers through the course rolled things around into that little ball. Still not certain that was it, I went ahead and installed the new sensor. Reset the codes and went for a few drives.
After many short trips and starts, I _finally_ got the O2 sensor to set into a 'Ready' status, leaving only the Evap system sensor Not Ready. I ran the car to the inspection station for an inspection. The car passed, all the while the Inspector Dude seemed to be confusing the car with a FWD Impala (he never popped the hood). After a bit, he asked if it was RWD, and was quite surprised it was, and had a V8. I told him it was a Holden, essentially a stretched G8, and he finally got it, and really liked it.
While paying for the inspection, Inspector Dude No. 2 told me that filling the gas tank will help the Evap sensors reset quicker, since there's less space to build pressure in the tank. Hopefully I don't have to try that trick, ever!
So, I finally got the car inspected and registered and legal.... just in time to drive it to jury duty yesterday!!
At least it was a nice, relaxing trip in the Caprice!!
Next up, I think, will be the Camaro Brembo caliper update. I do still need to get the fog lights and LED driving lights hooked up. Weather is just now cooling down out of 'opressive' range, so hopefully I get more quality time in the shop.