Thread: I never knew it felt so good!!

I had been driving my car for awhile, taking the previous guys word that the CEL was only for the o2 sensor as it seemed to be running decent. A few months in to owning it, I ran the code scanner on it and got 4 codes and two alerts. Codes being (o2 sensor, o2sensor heater, MAF malfunction, and Knock sensor malfunction), and alerts being (something EGR related i forget the actual wording, and CAT incomplete). A few weeks ago, I regrounded my MAF, and the code went away and things seemed a whole lot better. I took it as "Things are good again". Today, I FINALLY replaced the knock sensor. You guys don't kid about how much of a pain and the ass it is... I spent 3 hours in an oil change bay at the shop today trying to change it, finally just unbolted the big V shaped brace and pulled it back to have enough room to get a wrench and my big hands up in there (I broke the large right bolt on the bottom of that brace, oops, Someone tell me it's not a big deal since all the rest were put back in lol). The old sensor was cracked to hell, literally split all the way around and was rusting inside out. Anyways, I then cleared the codes and the only code that came up was the o2 sensor. Woohoo! I don't know what exactly I did while I was in there pulling parts off and putting parts on, but the car now idles perfectly, has 150% better response, no more sluggish feeling at less that 2500rpm, and no more sluggish feeling over 3k-rpm. Runs strong all the way from 1800-redline. I can't believe it's possible that a knock sensor could make THAT much of a difference... I did crack the two sides of the connector that goes to the knock sensor, but it still clipped in fine as there was enough left to hold that little metal pin in place that surrounds the connector.


Can anyone chime in if that bottom right bolt on that big v shaped brace is going to make a difference?? It snapped off in the block, and I don't see any way I can get it out without removing the whole motor, so that is almost out of questions...

Also, wtf is that brace even for?? I clipped all the plastic clips holding connectors and the harness and all that fun on it, so they are hanging freely. I was going to just remove it completely but after taking all the bolts off, I realized there wasn't enough room to remove it through the bottom..

I took that v brace off to me its usess and makes things more complicated, because you have to remove it everything in the even that you want to change your started etc. I would leave it off but thats my opinion.

True!
That brace is one of the first things to hit the trash can on every single SR20 engine I have had.

Glad to her your car is coming back to life,Ricky.

How the hell do I get it out of there though? I was able to get it fully unbolted and everything on it pulled off, but couldn't slip it out from under the car, the top of it was too wide at any angle to get it out. I thought about cutting it in half, but my uncle (who owns the shop) threw a fit saying not to because its "Obviously there for support". I couldn't figure out what it was supporting though..lol

I say cut it out if you have to.I removed it off my VE before it was swpped in.
Unless you plan on jumping your car like the Duke boys,you will be fine.

Figured I'd have to cut it. I will probably wait to do it, I'm driving out to WI at the beginning of February, and don't see myself having enough time or care to get under there soon to do that. Next time I have to do anything that requires removing it, it will be gone forever..lol.

Does anyone know what it's real purpose is????

Anyone else read the title and think..."that's what she said"

Times infinity.

Rodney was working on a car for someone a while back and called me at work. His question - "What is the first thing you remove from an SR20 and throw in the trash?" My reply was "the stupid bracket on the back of the motor and the intake manifold." He started laughing so hard on the other end because he told the guy that would be my answer.

Plus one.

I did spot another problem though... My oil pan is covered in oil and has been, but doesn't drip any oil on the ground and hasn't lost anything so I never worried about it assuming it was the seal around the oil pan. Well, today I noticed it is all over the top as well and creeps up a bit.. I'm now wondering if its leaking elsewhere... But I figured a leak above it on the side of the block somewhere wouldn't cover the entire oil pan?? Any ideas?