Porsche tech says code reads O2 SENSOR RIGHT BANK. The headers are from the AWE 750R kit and prior owner bottomed out over a speed bump and bent them a tad. Tech tells me prior to replacing the O2 sensor I should replace the headers bc one side has a crack/leak.

Thoughts?

Anyone have a pair of AWE 997 TT for 3.6 headers they want to sell that are in good shape?

How important is it to stay with AWE headers?

I think I'll have to raise the car too just to avoid this in the future.

Thanks,

Tom
210-601-4535

 

The tech is correct, a leaking exhaust manifold can cause an O2 sensor to read excessively lean and throw a MIL. If the header is, in fact, cracked and leaking once it is repaired the O2 sensor code should clear up. I would recommend raising the rear of the car and either listening for an audible ticking noise while the engine is running or see if there is carbon streaking on the manifold that points to a crack. I've seen many a severely dented header that are still tight as a drum. I would presume a replacement AWE manifold is considerably more expensive than a replacement O2 sensor.

In my honesty opinion, if you have the stock headers put those back on. You might notice a slight decrease in spool time but the net power loss should be minuscule. Given that one AWE header is dented, and possibly leaking, you may not notice any performance difference or the car may feel better. An exhaust leak is going to compromise spool time because exhaust energy that would normally go the turbo is being redirected to the atmosphere. The OEM headers look like they are very well designed and the casting looks extremely durable. Speaking from my own experience, once they are ported they work really well.

Hope that helps...

 

Another option, if the AWE header is not very badly dented and you want to keep it, is to pull the header off the car and have a fabrication shop weld up the leak. A repair like that should cost less than $100.

 

Although AWE has an excellent reputation, I agree with Red911TT that the OEM manifolds are hard to beat and when ported, they are very competitive.