98 Viper ---Bad Cat???

[NO KIDZ]

New Viper owner here. 98 GTS arrived a week ago and I had a chance to put some miles on this weekend( no rain). After about miles 30 SES light came on Pulled code--P0432. Reset and drove about 70 miles, SES again--replaced Pass. Rear O2 sensor this time. Drove about 50 miles and SES light again. Previous owner said it has a Shake Oyl catback exhaust. I don't if this is true, just what I was told when I bought the car. No other mods. Car has 25000 miles, I would not think the cat could be bad. I know I can replace the O2 sensors with Simms, but I have been told they will not pass NC emmissions. should I replace cat or install 96 PCM or reflash my current PCM, any input is appreciated.
Thanks, Robbie

 

[plumcrazy]

call chuck tator of tator dodge. he can and WILL help you.

914-763-3136

 

[slaughterj]

Where in NC are you located? If near Wilmington, you might want to get Tom Sessions at D&E to check it out.

 

[sdaddy]

My 96 threw a passenger side 02 sensor code and I replaced it. Then it threw the same passenger side sensor code and I took it to the shop and the Viper tech replaced the driver side 02 sensor and it resolved the problem. I am not sure if the 02 sensor connections are close enough together that the connections can sometimes get swapped on an exhaust change. If I remember correctly they are pretty much side by side in the middle of the frame where the end plugs in to the harness.

The stock cats are pretty crappy and put out alot of heat. You might want to go to high flow cats.

 

[dave6666]

You might also check for exhaust flow out each bank if you can. Kind of a manual redneck method kind of thing but take a piece of cardboard to separate the 2 sides at the tips and then use a piece of paper or so to see how much the paper blows side to side. It should of course be even. I seem to recall someone saying (plum?) that at about 3 ft you should still feel it. The paper should blow there.

If one side is significantly different than the other you could have a plugged/damaged/gutted cat.

 

[Camfab]

This might be a stupid question, are you sure the cats have not been removed or gutted? If the side sills don't get flaming hot, then I would suspect something.

 

[bluesrt]

whats up with the replaceing only one 02,allways replace o2 sensors as pairs!

 

[sdaddy]

whats up with the replaceing only one 02,allways replace o2 sensors as pairs!

Why would you do two when one fails? By that logic, why wouldn't you do all four when one fails?

 

[Craig]

See if the car still has cats. I just installed my B&B 3" header back system with no cats and it threw the same SES code. I picked up a set of o2 sims from roe racing. light hasnt came on since.

 

[dave6666]

Why would you do two when one fails? By that logic, why wouldn't you do all four when one fails?

Same reason you'd change the air in all four tires when you get a flat.

 

[mike & juli]

Robbie: Hope you've solved your problem by now. With your '98 Viper purchase (CONGRATS!), private message your VIN# to kcobean to upgrade you to VIPER OWNER~! Thinking of joining your regional Viper Club? 1-800-998-1110, or vipermagazine.com, have VIN# handy! THEN if you join, PM that VCA# they give you also to Kcobean who will upgrade you to VCA Member...has its privileges! Contact slaughterj to see if it's his region you belong to! WELCOME! ~juli

 

[NO KIDZ]

Thought I would give an update on the fix. I know the simple fix was to plug the O2 **** and tie the O2 sensors under the car---just thought it was a crappy fix to solve the problem. So I welded close some anti-fouling adapters and machined them out so the O2 sensor would screw in and installed them in the exhaust pipe. No more SEL and if you look under the car you can't really tell they have been plugged. Car also passes NC emmissions test. Thanks for all the help and suggestions