Headers no tune?

[Fishinfirefighter]

So I just had the car tuned.......twice in the last 2 weeks...not very thrilled about paying for another tune 1 week later but I can't stop buying crap....
Anyway I'm putting LT headers on next week I was really hoping to not have to tune again until I get the cam installed and the lower but my tuner said yes, bring it in it needs a tune for the headers. My question to you tuners reading this is, is it really necessary? I trust the guy but there's got to be enough wiggle room in there for headers right? Cam and lower haven't been purchased yet I'm still debating on cams so I'd say about a month before that happens. In the meantime I'll be going to the track maybe 2-3 times.
Tuned great right now AFR low 11s on the dyno with 2.4 upper, CAI, cat delete mid pipe, 85lb injectors and a BAP if that makes any difference.

[Can'tHave2MuchHP]

I'd say you'd be ok, although the car won't be making much gains on no tune, and as a rule of thumb, I'd never track a car that wasn't tuned. Right now I'm thinking, headers make you lose a bit of boost and without a tune, your back pressure and all that jazz may be causing your engine to run rich/lean. Just my thoughts. Track is the hardest thing on a car, if you can't stay off it for the month then I'd recommend paying the cash for a tune.

[1KillerSS]

You could go without, but why even put them on then? If your unhappy about tuning the car three times, then just wait until you do the cam.

[Fishinfirefighter]

Originally Posted by 1KillerSS

You could go without, but why even put them on then? If your unhappy about tuning the car three times, then just wait until you do the cam.

Even if the power is a wash, I'd rather get the benefit of the sound in the meantime. I just want to make sure it's safe for a few weeks.

[brokencilence]

at most shops that you had a car dyno tuned, re-tunes are a fraction of the price...

[Fishinfirefighter]

Originally Posted by brokencilence

at most shops that you had a car dyno tuned, re-tunes are a fraction of the price...

Right...but my shop is still expensive at 125/hr for retunes plus the 2hr round trip to Dallas which I hate more than the cost.

[ZO6 Bryan]

You will throw a code for P015B and P015D after a few days but other than that you'll be fine. IF, and a big if, they scaled the MAF properly the first time it will account for the increased airflow.

[1KillerSS]

Originally Posted by Fishinfirefighter

Even if the power is a wash, I'd rather get the benefit of the sound in the meantime. I just want to make sure it's safe for a few weeks.

It will be safe. Just not running at it's full potential, and you will throw a few codes. No big deal really.

[nighttowl]

I had my car tuned with a 11% pulley, CAI and PTB and had it tuned.
I added headers thinking it would run OK, and it ran like crap.
I had to have it tuned again just so it could be driveable.
It would nearly stall when lightly pressing on the gas pedal.

Good luck with it though, it didn't work out for me.

[mlee]

Why does your tuner keep charging you for tunes every time. Should be at least a very reduced rate to turn off your O2 codes and tweak the AF a bit. As others have said tune not required.

[Superman09]

I am currently running LTs with no tune as I'm saving money for a wideband. No problems so far. But I know they are not living up to their potential. I have a CEL but it's due to no rear O2 sensors

Sent from my campfire using smoke signals

[1KillerSS]

Originally Posted by mlee

Why does your tuner keep charging you for tunes every time. Should be at least a very reduced rate to turn off your O2 codes and tweak the AF a bit. As others have said tune not required.

Good point. He should at least be cutting you a deal. Especially since you are going back for another tune for your cam.

[ZO6 Bryan]

Originally Posted by nighttowl

I had my car tuned with a 11% pulley, CAI and PTB and had it tuned.
I added headers thinking it would run OK, and it ran like crap.
I had to have it tuned again just so it could be driveable.
It would nearly stall when lightly pressing on the gas pedal.

Good luck with it though, it didn't work out for me.

Then your tune was no good if it wasn't able to adjust on it's own for headers. Like I said, if the MAF table is correct the fueling will be correct. The MAF measures incoming air in g/sec and adds fuel in the proper proportion. If the MAF signal is accurate then the PCM will add the correct amount of fuel. And exhaust side changes will not change the MAF signal.