Originally Posted by cobaltss12

I have the JBP CAI on my 06 SS/SC Cobalt. I have had a check engine light for a couple of weeks. Through dyno testing at Alamo and several different opinions, I decided to go with new spark plugs. The problem with the CAI, is that, and Im sure everyone knows this, is that when you put a CAI on, more air is being forced through the blower, thus causing the engine to not know how much fuel to mix with the incoming air. The Air/Fuel ratio is fucked. You can do a couple of options...

1. Get a MAF Translator. Works well, but all your doing is tricking the MAF Sensor and computer.
2. Get bigger fuel injectors and a miniAFC. Works well too, but your spending a good piece of money.
3. Upgrade spark plugs.

My Air/Fuel ratio was off the chart. Seriously! On high end RPM, close to 6000RPMs, I was pushing very lean fuel injection. On low end RPMs, idle and low 2000RPM range, I was extremely rich... 16 to be exact. The chart only goes to about 14 or so.

I was told by the GM Performance group, through different channels of contact, that our stock spark plugs, do not give the best "spark" and thus, they do not ignite all the fuel being injected with more air flow. Everybody says that Iridium spark plugs are not the way to go, but straight from the GM Performance group, I was told that with more air flow(CAI, Airbox mod, or whatever) you will need better spark plugs to give you more spark, to ignite all the fuel.

So, I went out and bough some NGK Iridium IX spark plugs. I put them in myself, which is not hard at all, expect for the last plug, and then turned the key. It took about 4 minutes of ideling, but the CEL went off, and I no longer heard a "knock." The "knock" was the injectors, told to me by the GM Performance group. With better spark plugs to ignite more fuel with more air... you will correct the CEL thrown when you put a CAI on the SS/SC. I have also noticed a tad bit better reaction time with revving the engine. Theres a delay when revving because our cars are "drive by wire" setup.

I went back to Alamo to get re-dynoed and the Air/Fuel ratio was in normal range. I cant be 100% positive on this fix, but its a damn good way to try. Just thought Id share the good news. Well, it was good news for me anyways.

David

Originally Posted by RedSS30

What was your experience with your new plugs?? I just installed an Injen CAI and got a CEL of course. I am also looking for a quick fix.

Here is some info I found from NGK's Website on the subject

"Since the gap size has a direct affect on the spark plug's tip temperature and on the voltage necessary to ionise (light) the air/fuel mixture, careful attention is required. While it is a popular misconception that plugs are pre-gapped from the factory, the fact remains that the gap must be adjusted for the vehicle that the spark plug is intended for. Those with modified engines must remember that a modified engine with higher compression or forced induction will typically require a smaller gap settings (to ensure ignitability in these denser air/fuel mixtures). As a rule, the more power you are making, the smaller the gap you will need."

A spark plug's voltage requirement is directly proportionate to the gap size. The larger the gap, the more voltage is needed to bridge the gap. Most experienced tuners know that opening gaps up to present a larger spark to the air/fuel mixture maximises burn efficiency. It is for this reason that most racers add high power ignition systems. The added power allows them to open the gap yet still provide a strong spark"

"To be blunt, when experienced tuners build race motors, they select their spark plugs for different reasons: to remove heat more efficiently, provide sufficient spark to completely light all the air/fuel mixture, to survive the added stresses placed upon a high performance engine's spark plugs, and to achieve optimum piston-to-plug clearance"


Here is a link to dispell any myths that platinum is superior to irridium. NGK spent alot of time researching the subject and give you their findings on their site.

http://www.ngkspark.com.au/feature_index.htm


After all my readings, I have concluded that it is possible that after adding a CAI to our cars, we increase air, the ECU (most likely) increases fuel to compensate, but our stock sparks are not designed to handle the new air/fuel mixture so cannot burn the new mixture resulting in a CEL. After all, the sparks GM added to the LSJ were for "stock" air/fuel mixtures. So logically one must assume that by adding more fuel/air one must add more spark to burn it.

Originally Posted by Jmc007

Again, the CEL (after installing a CAI) is caused by the P0171 code, which means the air fuel mixture is leaner. It has nothing to do with the spark plugs or any misfiring. The CEL goes on when you're cruising, when the air fuel mixture is at least 20% leaner than stock for at least 2 minutes.

Originally Posted by Rippin07

Just a tip, when you change your plugs to whatever heat range, style, type etc. DO NOT USE ANTISIEZE!! Use a drop of clean motor oil on the threads. Reason for this is that antisieze acts as an insulator, making that one or two heat range spark plug pretty poor at doing its job as it wont conduct heat away from the cylinder head.

Originally Posted by sscobaltscZ06

Using anti seize on plugs is fine as long as you just put a very very small dab on a few threads (not covering all the threads). Most people goop it on like crazy and thats what causes any problems. There ain't no way in hell id put a plug in a aluminum head without it, although I know lots of people that don't put anything on threads and never have problems. I figure why take a chance.

Originally Posted by nick11

OK now im really starting to get confused I use these forums as like a bible for modding my car yet its hard when I get conflicting information. I was told that certain intakes cause a cel yet its harmless and was not causing any real problems it was an error in the computer that was showing the cel to light up.


I also gathered that the injen intake would not cause this problem ? If aftermarket cai is causing any problems at all I would like to know so I can simply put in a high flow filter and leave it be.

Originally Posted by Cobalt_Newb

I have an Injen CAI ... and my Cel keeps coming up after I clear it. most of the time it has to do with the MAF sensor(intake temperature sensor or something) and O2 sensor(mostly the intake temp sensor). I just changed the plugs and injectors so I will need a tune before starting her up. Hopefully the problem will be fixed.