B8.5 HFC cel help (spacer suggestions)

[4ringnut]

I installed an HFC on my B8.5 a few months ago, and have been struggling keeping the cel off for more than 5 minutes. I installed the O2 sensor directly into the HFC upon the initial install, and didn't get a cel for a little over a day (as expected) I ordered the Roceuro mini cat 45 degree spacer since all the B8 guys that run them swear by them. Installed the spacer and got a cel within 5 minutes of driving the car. Played around with the depth settings with no no luck. I spoke to the owner of a local tune shop, and he mentioned that they ran into another B8.5 that had the same exact issue, and couldn't keep the cel off no matter what they tried, resulting in the reinstallation of the stock cat. Before I order a bouquet of random spacers, have any of you B8.5 guys had luck with a particular spacer? I'm only trying to keep a cel off long enough to pass emissions, I'm not expecting miracles. And to the B8 guys that are about to jump down my throat, and tell me that there shouldn't be a dufference....there is. An no one seems to know why. Thank you in advance for any input you may have.

[PBKIDD24]

Some members on here have had luck with just a straight spacer. It kept mine off for a couple of days when I brought the car to the dealer for service

[4ringnut]

Some members on here have had luck with just a straight spacer. It kept mine off for a couple of days when I brought the car to the dealer for service

Without that catalyst?

[PBKIDD24]

http://www.uspmotorsports.com/Exhaus...er-SE-080.html

That's what I'm running. Some people have good luck with O2 spacers, others don't. It's reall hit or miss.

[Shimmy]

^ yup try a simple straight spacer and see if that helps. I guess your next step from there would be a 90* bend spacer or get a stage 2 tune.

[Just A B8]

45 degree angle did the trick for me.

http://roc-euro.com/oxygen-sensor-sp...=smarttheme_en

[Shimmy]

45 degree angle did the trick for me.

http://roc-euro.com/oxygen-sensor-sp...=smarttheme_en

OP posted he's running that spacer currently and it doesn't work for him.

[o1turbo30v]

None of them work long term, stop wasting time and money and just go stage 2 and be done with it. This is probably the 50th thread on this topic, the search function works wonders.

[4ringnut]

Stage 2 will only hide the cel. Massachusetts is a bitch with emissions. I'll basically have to switch back to stock, and keep the cel off long enough to prove to the ecu it's emissions ready, which takes like 100 miles of driving.

[4ringnut]

None of them work long term, stop wasting time and money and just go stage 2 and be done with it. This is probably the 50th thread on this topic, the search function works wonders.

You clearly don't understand my problem. If I pull into emissions with stage 2 I will automatically fail because the O2 sensor will show as not being ready. I'm well aware of the stage 2 cel delete. IT DOESNT HELP WITH PASSING EMISSIONS. Read the post before spewing your usual verbal diarrhea.

- - - Updated - - -

45 degree angle did the trick for me.

http://roc-euro.com/oxygen-sensor-sp...=smarttheme_en

Apparently they work great with B8's, the B8.5 are more sensitive.

[o1turbo30v]

You clearly don't understand my problem. If I pull into emissions with stage 2 I will automatically fail because the O2 sensor will show as not being ready. I'm well aware of the stage 2 cel delete. IT DOESNT HELP WITH PASSING EMISSIONS.

- - - Updated - - -



Apparently they work great with B8's, the B8.5 are more sensitive.

I have Revo stage 2 that has set full emission readiness and therefore passed PA emissions three years in a row, revo doesn't deactivate or delete the rear o2 sensor it just reduces the change in temperature required from the front o2. So yes I do understand.

[4ringnut]

Well since I'm running an APR tune, that's not really one of my options.

- - - Updated - - -

I should have mentioned that.

[BrewDude]

Well since I'm running an APR tune, that's not really one of my options.

- - - Updated - - -

I should have mentioned that.

Even when you switch to the "stock" tune?

[4ringnut]

Even when you switch to the "stock" tune?

I have to switch to stock or stage 1 to pass emissions. But I also have to keep the cel off long enough to achieve readiness.

[BrewDude]

I have to switch to stock or stage 1 to pass emissions. But I also have to keep the cel off long enough to achieve readiness.

Hmm...I'm running not only a 034 spacer but a Griffin Motorwerke spacer with the catalyst. Very rarely do I pop a CEL but it's long enough between CEL's to know readiness is set.

[4ringnut]

Hmm...I'm running not only a 034 spacer but a Griffin Motorwerke spacer with the catalyst. Very rarely do I pop a CEL but it's long enough between CEL's to know readiness is set.

You're running multiple spacers?

[jjvwg]

As others have said, spacers are hit or miss. In the end, you're probably either going to have to switch to a tune that sets readiness on the rear O2 even with it coded out, or you'll have to swap your stock cat back in for your emissions test yearly. Your choice as to what's the most cost/time effective for you. Couple hundred bucks for a new tune, or spend 4 hours of your time one weekend a year to swap cats.

[b6Hate4]

None of them work long term, stop wasting time and money and just go stage 2 and be done with it. This is probably the 50th thread on this topic, the search function works wonders.

God damn. Fully understand the question before giving your half assed advice.

[4ringnut]

As others have said, spacers are hit or miss. In the end, you're probably either going to have to switch to a tune that sets readiness on the rear O2 even with it coded out, or you'll have to swap your stock cat back in for your emissions test yearly. Your choice as to what's the most cost/time effective for you. Couple hundred bucks for a new tune, or spend 4 hours of your time one weekend a year to swap cats.

Yeah, I kind of accepted the hfc swap as my final option. I just wanted to see what's worked for some of you other guys.

[lettuce]

You clearly don't understand my problem. If I pull into emissions with stage 2 I will automatically fail because the O2 sensor will show as not being ready. I'm well aware of the stage 2 cel delete. IT DOESNT HELP WITH PASSING EMISSIONS. Read the post before spewing your usual verbal diarrhea.

Haha sorry to be the bearer of good news, but in MA you 're actually allowed to have one sensor in the 'not ready' state. I just passed emissions with mine 'not ready' in April and that's even with the two-stroke motor I'm running.

http://www.dmv.org/ma-massachusetts/smog-check.php

" The requirements for passing the OBD vary based on your vehicle's age:

Vehicles model year 2002 and newer may have no more than 1 not ready non-continuous monitors."

The cat readiness is a non-continuous monitor. So I say code it out and don't look back.

Also I still have your suspension tools. Text me some night you're free and I'll swing by and take you for a spin in the lettuce mobile.

[BrewDude]

You're running multiple spacers?

Yup...two spacers. When I originally put the 034 spacer in the CEL would pop immediately. With the Griffin Motorwerke spacer + the 034 spacer I would get a CEL maybe once every 6 months.

[MikeB8.5]

Try these? I was using a combo of both of them with the smallest of the jets it comes with, still got a CEL in the end but it made it stay away the longest.


http://www.streettunedmotorsports.co...acer_11619.htm
http://www.streettunedmotorsports.co...table_jets.htm

Also this one was recommended to me but they no longer ship to Canada so I never got a chance to try it.
http://www.bigdaddiesgarage.com/mini-cat-cel-fix.html

There's a good chance you're never going to beat the CEL. As others are recommending you may have to go with a tune.

I have a Griffin motorsports Catalyzed 90 degree spacer if you want to buy it, it's brand new unopened. Also have the two vibrant spacers available as I gave up and just put a stage 2 tune on it.

Mike

[4ringnut]

Try these? I was using a combo of both of them with the smallest of the jets it comes with, still got a CEL in the end but it made it stay away the longest.


http://www.streettunedmotorsports.co...acer_11619.htm
http://www.streettunedmotorsports.co...table_jets.htm

Also this one was recommended to me but they no longer ship to Canada so I never got a chance to try it.
http://www.bigdaddiesgarage.com/mini-cat-cel-fix.html

There's a good chance you're never going to beat the CEL. As others are recommending you may have to go with a tune.

I have a Griffin motorsports Catalyzed 90 degree spacer if you want to buy it, it's brand new unopened. Also have the two vibrant spacers available as I gave up and just put a stage 2 tune on it.

Mike

Mike, the stage 2 won't help me pass emissions in Massachusetts. It will fail automatically. I'll check out your links. Thank you

[4ringnut]

Yup...two spacers. When I originally put the 034 spacer in the CEL would pop immediately. With the Griffin Motorwerke spacer + the 034 spacer I would get a CEL maybe once every 6 months.

Interesting. Thank you.

[4ringnut]

Haha sorry to be the bearer of good news, but in MA you 're actually allowed to have one sensor in the 'not ready' state. I just passed emissions with mine 'not ready' in April and that's even with the two-stroke motor I'm running.

http://www.dmv.org/ma-massachusetts/smog-check.php

" The requirements for passing the OBD vary based on your vehicle's age:

Vehicles model year 2002 and newer may have no more than 1 not ready non-continuous monitors."

The cat readiness is a non-continuous monitor. So I say code it out and don't look back.

Also I still have your suspension tools. Text me some night you're free and I'll swing by and take you for a spin in the lettuce mobile.

Lettuce, what??? Lol. I don't know why I didn't text you about this. So if I code it out with a vagcom I'm good to go?

[lettuce]

Lettuce, what??? Lol. I don't know why I didn't text you about this. So if I code it out with a vagcom I'm good to go?

If coding out that monitor with VCDS causes it to remain in a 'not ready' state, and all your other monitors are in a 'ready' state, then yes you will pass emissions.

[b6Hate4]

If coding out that monitor with VCDS causes it to remain in a 'not ready' state, and all your other monitors are in a 'ready' state, then yes you will pass emissions.

I think for the sake of this thread I need to bring up the term "Not supported". When coding something out totally, you MIGHT wind up with the label "Not Supported" for that monitor. If that is the case, it is an auto fail. If VCDS can make it read a permanent "Not Ready" then that is pretty slick.

[hyperunion]

Lettuce, what??? Lol. I don't know why I didn't text you about this. So if I code it out with a vagcom I'm good to go?

Maybe ask the
infiltrator...
Why did you just go with the apr stg1?... as opposed to the stg 2... especially with the hfc?

[4ringnut]

Maybe ask the
infiltrator...
Why did you just go with the apr stg1?... as opposed to the stg 2... especially with the hfc?

I wanted to get the cel under control so I wouldn't be scrambling when it was time to get my inspection. I still need to upgrade my IC, spark plugs and coils.

[hyperunion]

I wanted to get the cel under control so I wouldn't be scrambling when it was time to get my inspection. I still need to upgrade my IC, spark plugs and coils.

I'm going to be in the same boat as you.. probably go with stg 2 and find a way to pass emissions in my county... waiting on seeing the upcoming apr downpipe combination hfc as opposed to the standard 034 hfc I originally wanted....

[verstappen]

2013 A4 here, catless downpipe, Eurodyne stage 1 at the moment. I have tried a 90 degree spacer, a 45 degree spacer and a spacer with a "built in mini cat" none of that crap worked, 15 miles and the check engine light comes back on.

It sucks because I originally went with GIAC and I hated it, I never had such a weak ass tune and they told me right away that "they don't code out oxygen sensors" B====D. So I went with Eurodyne since they said a Stage 2 tune was coming out shortly (That was back in Jan 2017) I have to say their Stage 1 is very impressive coming from GIAC, it felt almost as coming from stock to tuned. Nevertheless, I have no Stage 2 tune yet and I have an annoying check engine light with emissions approaching.

For the B8.5's I think we are shit out of luck. Unless someone has a spacer that actually worked on a 2012-13+ car.

[petraman]

I just gave up trying to cheat it... I think the FLs have a much more sensitive downstream O2 sensor.

Sent from my LG-H918 using Audizine mobile app

[4ringnut]

Can't be done. I spent 2 months and every spacer imaginable, CEL always came back.


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[Mr_Skull]

Just wanted to share my solution on getting passed emissions on APR stage 2 on my 2013 B8.5 Allroad.

I used one of the cheap straight units from Amazon and got it to work after some issues... I got the IE downpipe installed and an accompanying APR stage 2 tune done at the same time. Drove it around with no CEL for a while, failed emissions, and then discovered this thread and a few others stating the B8.5 APR stage 2 acts different than the previous APR stage 2 tunes.
I purchased and installed the spacer and had the shop flash the stock tune and stage 2 tune with program switching. I drove the car around for about 2 days 50 or so miles and threw a CEL before I could get it tested for emission or verify readiness with VAGCOM. VCDS said it was a cat efficiency code. I then purchased the curved Vibrant O2 spacer with the snap ring and 3 different sized “inserts” and was unable to use it as it hits the firewall when attempting to screw the unit into the downpipe post high flow cat. I then started reading and discovered a lot of people having problems with all sorts of spacers. So I put the original spacer back in, hooked up my laptop and then fired up VCDS on the readiness screen after clearing all the codes. Within 10 miles of light throttled driving 7 of the 8 readiness had changed to the green “passed” with only the remaning Cataclytic Converter(s) still showing “Failed or Incomplete.” I drove around another 20 miles or so on the insterstate with no change. I then took the exit for the emissions testing location. Stopped in a parking lot. Did an ignition cycle by turning car off, waiting for about 5 minutes, and turning car back on, and then headed back towards the interstate with VCDS running. I noticed right before I got to the interstate the final / 8th cat converter readiness changed to green. I immediately turned around, went to the emissions testing center, and a they scanned the car without turning it off and gave me a pass. After I left the testing center I switched back to my stage 2 tune. So apparently there may be a small window of opportunity which can be found if you can monitor readiness with VAGCOM or an OBD2 adapter and app.

[timmyzr1]

if im reading this thread correctly, there is no real way to avoid CEL with test pipes?? Im having the new GEN2 GESI hfc which are supoosed to be extremely effiencent!! Ill have the 02 sensors relocated after the cats! Finger crossed it will shut down CEL, but doesnt have high hopes! GIAC tune Dual pulleys.