LT Headers/Catback without Tuning?

[wildcatjake]

Alright, the initial shock to the bank account from buying the car has faded enough to consider making some upgrades to the car. I'm in the same boat alot of us are in that I am not willing to tune the car just yet, as that warranty is just too valuable right now.

I will be adding a CAI soon, and I have been browsing through the countless threads on all the different LT headers/cat backs out there, trying to find the right combination for my application.

The general consensus is for LT headers and a catback, your pretty much going to throw codes without a tune. I have seen a few folks (TAG) that have been able to run the stock tune with their exhaust setup.

The long and short question, what LT/catback combination (paired with a CAI) are you guys using with the stock tune?

I've seen some tricks like moving the rear O2 sensor out of the middle of the stream to prevent throwing codes. I'd like your opinions on this as well.

[chris@borla]

Stock tune will be fine until you have the cash for a good dyno tune. The stock tune is conservatively rich and does not have very much timing in it. GM left quite a bit on the table.

[wildcatjake]

Money isn't the issue, just don't want to void my warranty. I have a few PMs from other folks wondering about this as well.

Maybe I can pose this a little more direct:

Will 1 7/8" ARH headers paired with Magnaflow Street Series catback and a CAI throw codes without a tune?

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by wildcatjake

Alright, the initial shock to the bank account from buying the car has faded enough to consider making some upgrades to the car. I'm in the same boat alot of us are in that I am not willing to tune the car just yet, as that warranty is just too valuable right now.

I will be adding a CAI soon, and I have been browsing through the countless threads on all the different LT headers/cat backs out there, trying to find the right combination for my application.

The general consensus is for LT headers and a catback, your pretty much going to throw codes without a tune. I have seen a few folks (TAG) that have been able to run the stock tune with their exhaust setup.

The long and short question, what LT/catback combination (paired with a CAI) are you guys using with the stock tune?

I've seen some tricks like moving the rear O2 sensor out of the middle of the stream to prevent throwing codes. I'd like your opinions on this as well.

Regarless of what brand long tube headers you have you will have to trick the rear O2s with spacers without a tune.

Cold Air kits are Fine without a tune.

Chris I am sorry to disagree but GM didn't leave much room for Power tuning on these cars, Probably the best factory tuning we have seen in history of GM.

Not that Torque managment isn't a Drag, and from the seat of the pants the cars are much more fun to drive with a tune.

Ted.

[PieNsky]

See Tag UR It post about LT and codes. Well worth the read.

[SGOS252382]

Originally Posted by wildcatjake

Money isn't the issue, just don't want to void my warranty. I have a few PMs from other folks wondering about this as well.

Maybe I can pose this a little more direct:

Will 1 7/8" ARH headers paired with Magnaflow Street Series catback and a CAI throw codes without a tune?

I have 1 7/8 headers, high flow cats, and Magnaflow street and I had a check engine light before I got my tune.

I was able to get rid of it temporarily, but it always came back after a while.


And for anyone with an L99. A tune on an L99 is a lot more than just extra HP and Torque. The tranmission tune is what really makes the car fun to drive. After getting a good tune, the car drives like a completely different animal.

[radz28]

Originally Posted by SGOS252382

I have 1 7/8 headers, high flow cats, and Magnaflow street and I had a check engine light before I got my tune.

I was able to get rid of it temporarily, but it always came back after a while.


And for anyone with an L99. A tune on an L99 is a lot more than just extra HP and Torque. The tranmission tune is what really makes the car fun to drive. After getting a good tune, the car drives like a completely different animal.

True story

My '02 wouldn't get by without a tune, and it was just plain better with a tune. If you're worried about warranty, I think you have to find a very understanding dealer to look past them without hassling you for any powertrain problems. That's my experience anyways.

[petman]

Am in the market (like Wildcatjake) for Headers and Exhaust FRONT TO REAR....And as I have looked at differnet manufactures, it don't seem they say that O2's will have to be tricked (spaced), or a tune is required so that you don't end up with an eng. code.. so I trudge onward.... and will keep reading

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by petman

Am in the market (like Wildcatjake) for Headers and Exhaust FRONT TO REAR....And as I have looked at differnet manufactures, it don't seem they say that O2's will have to be tricked (spaced), or a tune is required so that you don't end up with an eng. code.. so I trudge onward.... and will keep reading

If they told everyone that, it would hurt sales.

Are you looking for performance or sound, because you get performance and sound from LT headers and high flow cats, it changes the way the stock exhaust sounds quite a bit.

If all you want is sound then just go with a cat back, no check engine lites.

Ted.

[alfie43]

Originally Posted by JANNETTYRACING

Are you looking for performance or sound, because you get performance and sound from LT headers and high flow cats, it changes the way the stock exhaust sounds quite a bit.

If all you want is sound then just go with a cat back, no check engine lites.

Ted.

Ted,
Very interesting. If I want maximum power gains but with minimum sound level increase, would LT headers (Kooks? or ARH?---LTs? or Shortys?) and a stock exhaust system be the way for me to go?

Of course, this is with a CAI and tune. Later, I could add the GM axle backs for a little sound increase.

I'm not too concerned about sound levels on WOT and I want performance gains, but I don't want it to sound like a WW II four engine bomber at cruise speeds. You opinion please. Thank you.
Alfie

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by alfie43

Ted,
Very interesting. If I want maximum power gains but with minimum sound level increase, would LT headers (Kooks? or ARH?---LTs? or Shortys?) and a stock exhaust system be the way for me to go?

Of course, this is with a CAI and tune. Later, I could add the GM axle backs for a little sound increase.

I'm not too concerned about sound levels on WOT and I want performance gains, but I don't want it to sound like a WW II four engine bomber at cruise speeds. You opinion please. Thank you.
Alfie

PM sent.

[1977and2010]

That's what I'm looking for also. Could you PM me too Ted?
Thanks.

[irvinecamaro]

Originally Posted by JANNETTYRACING

PM sent.

I'd like to know about this as well Ted. Thanks.

[wildcatjake]

I appreciate everyones responses. I also managed to find TAG's old post. It looks to me like you're pretty lucky if you can get away with LTs and not have a tune (or at least not have to routinely clear the CEL). Looks like I will be sticking to the catback and CAI for now. I'll start looking at tuning and LT's once some of that warranty is used up.

Once again this forum proves to be an invaluable resource.