Are MIL Eliminators worth the money? Why not just remove check engine light bulb?

[rinos88]

Hey guys, I was a forum member a few years back and was quite active for a while. However, I think there was a server crash and lost my profile.

Anyway, I'm back and started modifying my car again.
It is an '02 GT. I've had a set of Flowmaster 40 series on it for quite a while, but with the stock H pipe and all.

I recently switched the H pipe for a Pypes Performance Off Road X pipe. It made a drastic difference in tone and power.

However, my check engine light came on, as I expected. I ordered a set of MIL Eliminators to take care of this problem. After shelling out the $60 for them, I began to wonder if they are really necessary. Do they do anything to adjust the performance and/or timing, or could I have just saved the money and pulled the bulb from the check engine light?

[Nino]

Hey rinos88, glad to have you back.

The rear O2 sensors only monitor for the presence of cats, they are not used to adjust timing or a/f ratio. However, if you pulled the bulb from the check engine light and some other part of the car malfunctioned, how would you know? For that reason alone, they are worth it.

-Nino

[rinos88]

Thanks Nino. You have a good point, so I don't feel as bad about shelling out the money on them now.

I got a $20 coupon for your shop for signing back up on here. I'll be checking that out soon. I'm on unemployment, but recently picked up a part time job to suppliment the unemployment check. That means that in about a month, I may be looking into some shorty headers. (I've just got to figure out how to get my hands in to the small space on the passenger side to unbolt the stock manifolds.)