H-pipe Deleted on my Camaro; Problems? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

2010BlackCamaroSS · 06-08-2021, 10:50 PM

Good evening guys,

Hopefully some of you knowledgeable folks can put my mind at ease.

I recently bought a 2010 Camaro (L99/A6; 60k miles) and have discovered that the previous owner deleted the h-pipe when he deleted the resonators. I know that this is not optimal for performance, but my question is: Will this damage my engine?

The reason I ask is that I am getting soot build up, but only in the driver's side tailpipe. The passenger side is clean. When I changed the spark plugs, I noticed that the plugs from the driver's side had a sooty coating around the face of the thread rim, while the passenger side plugs were clean.

Thanks in advance for the insight.

Ashen L99 · 06-09-2021, 04:54 AM

I mean, you’ll lose the scavenging that the crossover provides bit in short no it shouldn’t hurt it. it sounds to me like your driver side bank is running rich or the passenger side is running lean. Even with no crossover both tips should get sooty after a while.... I ran my car with no crossover for 5000 miles back when i didn’t know any better and both tips got sooty on the factory tune. I would have somebody datalog your car and see.

Modernmusclecar · 06-09-2021, 08:16 AM

No issues. Alot of people strsight pipe their cars. Youre fine.

2010BlackCamaroSS · 06-11-2021, 06:22 PM

Thanks for the replies. I guess now I am just worried as to why I am only getting soot build up on the driver's side tailpipe.

Does anyone know why one bank would be running leaner or richer than the other?

1JEWLDSSRS · 06-11-2021, 07:38 PM

02 sensor malfunction. Do you have any CEL's? Stored codes?? Possible a faulty fuel injector or 2.

2010BlackCamaroSS · 06-12-2021, 12:42 AM

Thanks for the reply, 1JEWLDSSRS. I don't have any CELs and there were no stored codes when I checked with my SCTX4.

As far as faulty fuel injectors, what are the symptoms? Would I not get a code if that were the case?

1JEWLDSSRS · 06-15-2021, 06:33 PM

Yes. you would get a code for the injector malfunction.. Also maybe a cat starting to act up..

2010BlackCamaroSS · 06-17-2021, 12:08 AM

Well, I guess I don't have to worry about a cat acting up for too much longer. I've got headers on the way. Bye-bye factory cats.

I assume that if I had a major problem with the engine, I would be getting a CEL. Absent a CEL, should I just stop worrying?

morepowerjoe · 06-17-2021, 02:05 AM

I think it's something to address for sure. Your engine only showing soot in one side of the tail pipe is definitely something that I would look into because that's not normal. How many miles do you have?

2010BlackCamaroSS · 06-17-2021, 11:50 PM

The car has 62,000 miles on it.

2010BlackCamaroSS · 06-17-2021, 11:51 PM

What would you guys do to begin diagnosing?

morepowerjoe · 06-18-2021, 12:20 AM

I'm thinking o2 sensors but I'm not sure because it hasn't thrown a code at you. I'm more concerned about the side that isn't showing soot and running lean because both of mine have soot in them but I do have an x pipe. Hopefully someone else has some ideas.

2010BlackCamaroSS · 06-25-2021, 09:47 PM

Ordered some new O2 sensors. I'll install them and monitor the tailpipes to see if anything changes. Hopefully I'll get this sorted out before my new exhaust arrives. I'm sure once the x-pipe is installed, I won't be able to see if the condition still exists.

Thanks to those who have chimed in so far.

Open to any other suggestions.....

morepowerjoe · 06-26-2021, 01:01 AM

Yeah your probably right about the x pipe. I would just keep on eye out on your plugs on both sides and look for differences. I would only pull number 1 and 2 since the other ones are harder to get to. lol
oh and what exhaust did you get?

06-08-2021, 10:50 PM	#1
2010BlackCamaroSS Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS - L99 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: MS Posts: 128 View My Garage	H-pipe Deleted on my Camaro; Problems? Good evening guys, Hopefully some of you knowledgeable folks can put my mind at ease. I recently bought a 2010 Camaro (L99/A6; 60k miles) and have discovered that the previous owner deleted the h-pipe when he deleted the resonators. I know that this is not optimal for performance, but my question is: Will this damage my engine? The reason I ask is that I am getting soot build up, but only in the driver's side tailpipe. The passenger side is clean. When I changed the spark plugs, I noticed that the plugs from the driver's side had a sooty coating around the face of the thread rim, while the passenger side plugs were clean. Thanks in advance for the insight.

06-09-2021, 04:54 AM	#2
Ashen L99 Drives: Ashen grey, 1SS, L99 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 527	I mean, you’ll lose the scavenging that the crossover provides bit in short no it shouldn’t hurt it. it sounds to me like your driver side bank is running rich or the passenger side is running lean. Even with no crossover both tips should get sooty after a while.... I ran my car with no crossover for 5000 miles back when i didn’t know any better and both tips got sooty on the factory tune. I would have somebody datalog your car and see. __________________ Roto-fab CAI, Nick Williams 102mm TB, LOD X1 V3 intake manifold, GMPP LS3 heads, Night Fury cam, TSP 2” long tubes, Corsa ZL-1 catback, Nitrous Outlet 102mm plate kit/150 shot, NGK BR7EF plugs with Taylor plug wires, DSX flex fuel kit, ZL-1 fuel pump and injectors, B&M deep trans pan, Yank 3400 converter, 3.45s with BMR Delrin bushings, mishimoto 169° Thermostat, GM ground effects, T-Rex upper grill, Z/28 Spoiler, Lolly pop Lime brake calipers, ZL1 10 spoke wheels, 12” subwoofer, and custom paint matched interior.

06-09-2021, 08:16 AM	#3
Modernmusclecar Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Parts unknown Posts: 820	No issues. Alot of people strsight pipe their cars. Youre fine. __________________ EPS CUSTOM GRIND CAM....K@N CAI....VMAX PTB.....FRANKENSTEIN STAGE 2 HEADS ...1 7/8 STAINLESS POWER CATTED LONGTUBE HEADERS...CORSA XTREME 3 INCH CATBACK.....CIRCLE D 3800 Pro Series stall...391 gears.....Ported/modded GPI intake .Forgestar drag pack with Mickey Thompson ET street drag radials AGP PERFORMANCE DYNO TUNED. 463 WHP 428 FTLBS TORQUE.

06-11-2021, 07:38 PM	#5
1JEWLDSSRS Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 11,435	02 sensor malfunction. Do you have any CEL's? Stored codes?? Possible a faulty fuel injector or 2. __________________ TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.

06-15-2021, 06:33 PM	#7
1JEWLDSSRS Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 11,435	Yes. you would get a code for the injector malfunction.. Also maybe a cat starting to act up.. __________________ TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.

06-11-2021, 06:22 PM	#4
2010BlackCamaroSS Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS - L99 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: MS Posts: 128 View My Garage	Thanks for the replies. I guess now I am just worried as to why I am only getting soot build up on the driver's side tailpipe. Does anyone know why one bank would be running leaner or richer than the other?

06-12-2021, 12:42 AM	#6
2010BlackCamaroSS Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS - L99 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: MS Posts: 128 View My Garage	Thanks for the reply, 1JEWLDSSRS. I don't have any CELs and there were no stored codes when I checked with my SCTX4. As far as faulty fuel injectors, what are the symptoms? Would I not get a code if that were the case?

06-17-2021, 12:08 AM	#8
2010BlackCamaroSS Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS - L99 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: MS Posts: 128 View My Garage	Well, I guess I don't have to worry about a cat acting up for too much longer. I've got headers on the way. Bye-bye factory cats. I assume that if I had a major problem with the engine, I would be getting a CEL. Absent a CEL, should I just stop worrying?

06-17-2021, 02:05 AM	#9
morepowerjoe Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,105	I think it's something to address for sure. Your engine only showing soot in one side of the tail pipe is definitely something that I would look into because that's not normal. How many miles do you have? __________________ DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817

06-17-2021, 11:50 PM	#10
2010BlackCamaroSS Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS - L99 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: MS Posts: 128 View My Garage	The car has 62,000 miles on it.

06-17-2021, 11:51 PM	#11
2010BlackCamaroSS Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS - L99 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: MS Posts: 128 View My Garage	What would you guys do to begin diagnosing?

06-18-2021, 12:20 AM	#12
morepowerjoe Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,105	I'm thinking o2 sensors but I'm not sure because it hasn't thrown a code at you. I'm more concerned about the side that isn't showing soot and running lean because both of mine have soot in them but I do have an x pipe. Hopefully someone else has some ideas. __________________ DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817

06-25-2021, 09:47 PM	#13
2010BlackCamaroSS Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS - L99 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: MS Posts: 128 View My Garage	Ordered some new O2 sensors. I'll install them and monitor the tailpipes to see if anything changes. Hopefully I'll get this sorted out before my new exhaust arrives. I'm sure once the x-pipe is installed, I won't be able to see if the condition still exists. Thanks to those who have chimed in so far. Open to any other suggestions.....

06-26-2021, 01:01 AM	#14
morepowerjoe Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,105	Yeah your probably right about the x pipe. I would just keep on eye out on your plugs on both sides and look for differences. I would only pull number 1 and 2 since the other ones are harder to get to. lol oh and what exhaust did you get? __________________ DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817