Do headers require a tune?

[harner]

Originally Posted by Apex Motorsports

Long tube headers will throw a check engine light without tuning. If you do have a catastrophic drive train failure, swap back to your factory parts, and they scan the ECM and find you have been driving around for months with e check engine light I wouldn't expect them to fix it under warranty either. My advise has always been to wait on headers until you are willing to tune and wait to tune until you are ready to walk away from the warranty.

Originally Posted by harner

I heard that the Diablo tune is almost transparent to the dealers, so if you're scared I'd go that route. Talk to JRE about it.

I agree with APEX - don't mod unless you want to void the warranty. It's my downfall with every vehicle I've ever purchased from a dealer lol.

Originally Posted by havelegs

I wouldn't want to risk that. I work as a Linux System Admin, so I know how files show modified dates. Unless the program can rewrite and change the modified dates on the files it touches, I would assume that the techs could see when the files were last modified which would throw a red flag up. I guess I'll just wait it out years before I start sticking mods on it. For now I'll just go with a CAI and look at swapping out the rear diff for a 3.91 from a 1LE, which I am assuming would not be an issue since GM sells these as an option.

Thanks guys

I was a Linux Engineer years ago Not sure how that relates to knowing how files show modified dates. GM techs don't necessary log into the PCM and type "ls -t" and look for recently modified files lol. I'm sure if a lawsuit occured, it wouldn't take much effort to determine if something was modified. I'm just regurgitating what I read on these fine forums and spreading the wealth. Do a search for yourself.

Bottom line = mod your car and you'll most likely void the warranty.

I bought my car with exhaust work, CAI, etc. They even flashed the PCM because the PO had a tune. One of the first things I did to the car was a base tune, along with a modded intake and ported TB. World of difference.

Now with gears... you can buy 3.91s from GM and have them install it and it will not void your warranty. At least according to a local dealer here. The only downfall is dealer labor rates.

Good luck.

[havelegs]

Originally Posted by SS Blinder

before you swap gears out, make sure that you find a chevy dealer that will swap them and recalibrate your speedometer.

Found one today near me. Said they'd do it for 1600 with parts, recalibration and labor for the 3.91gear. I asked if we can work on that labor time and he said he'd talk to his manager. I would guess they'd take some labor off since I go to them for all of my services.

[havelegs]

Originally Posted by harner

I was a Linux Engineer years ago Not sure how that relates to knowing how files show modified dates. GM techs don't necessary log into the PCM and type "ls -t" and look for recently modified files lol. I'm sure if a lawsuit occured, it wouldn't take much effort to determine if something was modified. I'm just regurgitating what I read on these fine forums and spreading the wealth. Do a search for yourself.

Bottom line = mod your car and you'll most likely void the warranty.

I bought my car with exhaust work, CAI, etc. They even flashed the PCM because the PO had a tune. One of the first things I did to the car was a base tune, along with a modded intake and ported TB. World of difference.

Now with gears... you can buy 3.91s from GM and have them install it and it will not void your warranty. At least according to a local dealer here. The only downfall is dealer labor rates.

Good luck.

Yeah lol. I doubt the tech would connect it to a monitor and run unix commands, however who knows what the headquarters will do to verify timestamps and checksums. I'll just stick with the cai and gears for now. I should be happy with those.

[havelegs]

Originally Posted by JDP Sales

Tune is a must IMO. Warranty MAY be compromised in the event of a failure directly related to the part installed or the tune. Could go either way. Service Department Managers have a say in how that all goes down.

The "safe" answer however is like the others have already stated: If it would ruin your life in the event that something happened and you were stuck with the bill, I'd wait for those mods.


All the best,

Jared

Thanks. I've had plugin tuners on other cars and never had any issues with anything breaking. But this is a car I plan on keeping until I pay it off in six years, or trade it in for a Corvette once I have my midlife crisis lol.

[havelegs]

Originally Posted by JDP Sales

Tune is a must IMO. Warranty MAY be compromised in the event of a failure directly related to the part installed or the tune. Could go either way. Service Department Managers have a say in how that all goes down.

The "safe" answer however is like the others have already stated: If it would ruin your life in the event that something happened and you were stuck with the bill, I'd wait for those mods.


All the best,

Jared

Yeah and I don't have an extra 10k laying around just in case (with my bad luck) something did happen which I know is still unlikely, but I can't predict the future.

[Apex Motorsports]

If there is a catastrophic drive train failure the tech has to forward a copy of your ECM to GM. They review it and compare the reflashes to those they have documented. If it doesn't match, you are busted. I used to have a copy of the GM documentation that outlined the procedure. I'll see if I can find it.

[FrostySS]

Originally Posted by Apex Motorsports

If there is a catastrophic drive train failure the tech has to forward a copy of your ECM to GM. They review it and compare the reflashes to those they have documented. If it doesn't match, you are busted. I used to have a copy of the GM documentation that outlined the procedure. I'll see if I can fine it.

BINGO! Sometimes they ask for the calibration ID numbers. I'm curious to how that works, I may flash my car back to stock and have my techs pull up the calibration ID to see what it shows.

[Avenging Orange]

Best advice....any modification can void a warranty. My suggestion...dont do anything till you are willing to risk warranty. Pretty simple fact.

[FrostySS]

Not true

[MarylandSpeed]

http://marylandspeed.com/kooks-1-78x...30-p-5362.html

Boom! Long Tube Headers, Cats and no Check Engine Lights. Tuning will of course make more power, but until that day comes you can run these an not have to worry about the lights. Make sure to give us call for the best price! 443-730-9428

[havelegs]

Originally Posted by Avenging Orange

Best advice....any modification can void a warranty. My suggestion...dont do anything till you are willing to risk warranty. Pretty simple fact.

No, I don't agree with that at all. I would say a tune is more likely for them to void your warranty if they want to.

[havelegs]

Originally Posted by MarylandSpeed

http://marylandspeed.com/kooks-1-78x...30-p-5362.html

Boom! Long Tube Headers, Cats and no Check Engine Lights. Tuning will of course make more power, but until that day comes you can run these an not have to worry about the lights. Make sure to give us call for the best price! 443-730-9428

Interesting.

[Avenging Orange]

Originally Posted by FrostySS

Not true

Very true. Dont know what rock you are living under....but they do reserve the right to deny warranty If a car is modified beyond stock. Does it happen often....no......but yes they can.

[todd69gs]

Originally Posted by Avenging Orange

Very true. Dont know what rock you are living under....but they do reserve the right to deny warranty If a car is modified beyond stock. Does it happen often....no......but yes they can.

You said "any" modification and that is simply not true. Let's not beat this horse again.