cat back, CAI ,shorty headers too much extra air flow? without a tune - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

mikeSS · 07-02-2010, 12:53 AM

i have a corsa cat back + k&N CAI. and i have some shorty headers just laying around. i am kind of scared to put them on... do you guys think with the headers its just to much extra air flow without a tune.... i know it might not throw a code but even with out the code that kind of allot of extra air flow with factory tune ????

and if something goes wrong it will affect warranty, because they will say all of that extra air flow caused what ever to happen ?

FB3 · 07-02-2010, 04:52 PM

Shorty headers do little or nothing to improve performance on the LS3. Long tubes are another story.

There is a member on this forum who had a cai and cat back only on his car and had some serious engine damage due to a broken valve I believe.

He said that the dealer read the ECM and it showed non stock paramaters even though it was not tuned. Could be the ECM doing what it is supposed to and adjusting FAM for the cai and cat back.

Anyway, in this specific case, they fixed his engine, but voided his warranty based on non stock ECM calibration.

I sure don't agree with it, but it happened and he was unable to get the decision reversed. Can't remember the thread, but is was within the last month or so.

I have a cai and cat backs on my car and am keeping my fingers crossed.

GM is getting very serious about warranty issues.

mikeSS · 07-02-2010, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FB3

Shorty headers do little or nothing to improve performance on the LS3. Long tubes are another story.

There is a member on this forum who had a cai and cat back only on his car and had some serious engine damage due to a broken valve I believe.

He said that the dealer read the ECM and it showed non stock paramaters even though it was not tuned. Could be the ECM doing what it is supposed to and adjusting FAM for the cai and cat back.

Anyway, in this specific case, they fixed his engine, but voided his warranty based on non stock ECM calibration.

I sure don't agree with it, but it happened and he was unable to get the decision reversed. Can't remember the thread, but is was within the last month or so.

I have a cai and cat backs on my car and am keeping my fingers crossed.

GM is getting very serious about warranty issues.

dam that sucks... i actually had a major transmission/ gearing problem with my car... i had to get a tow trunk. i had a exhaust and CAI... and they tried to say i was doing to many burnouts... but didnt seem to care about the aftermarket parts...

ducq · 07-02-2010, 06:55 PM

Just great I shoulda never clicked into this thread. I have borla s axleback and a c.a.I. Cai. I have jba high flow cats coming. Now I'm afraid this stuff might do damage or throw a cel.

ackeight · 07-02-2010, 07:30 PM

Sounds like a paradox. Tune and lose the warranty, but keep the engine running better, or don't tune and blow a valve. I'm sure it is rare, but it did happen.

HeavyD · 07-02-2010, 09:00 PM

That's just one case, anything could have happened with that. There are several members that have done those upgrades months ago and their cars are still running strong.

ducq · 07-02-2010, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavyD

That's just one case, anything could have happened with that. There are several members that have done those upgrades months ago and their cars are still running strong.

So far... O_o

HeavyD · 07-02-2010, 09:18 PM

I wouldn't worry about. I don't see how a CAI will cause an engine to drop a valve.

FB3 · 07-02-2010, 10:31 PM

I certainly agree that a lot of the popular mods that we do should not cause a problem with the engine and drive train, but unfortunately GM feels differently.

Say you have long tubes, high flow cats, cai, and a tune. You don't abuse or race the car, but just enjoy it. So it swallows a valve for whatever reason and takes out a piston. You just bought a new engine, and the rest of your drive train warranty is history too.

This has happened on LS3 engines in Corvettes, Camaros, and Pontiac G8 GXP's that were completely stock. One poor guy with a GXP actually went through two engines in a short period of time with no mods or abuse. Same valve failure on both but different cylinders.

I have owned all of these cars and spent a lot of time on the forums. These things do happen and will continue to happen. What are the odds that it will happen to you? Probably very high, but still there.

So, you may mod your engine to your heart's content and never have a problem, or you may be one of the very few unlucky ones that do have a major problem and end up eating the engine replacement cost.

Again, I don't like it, but it is the way things are and people should be very aware of the risk that they take when modifying their cars.

Been on this soap box too long, but really feel that there should be more open disclosure from the manufacturers of these products about the risk involved in installing them on your car. Just know that the lack of a check engine light doesn't mean s##t when it comes voiding your warranty.

Ronin_2SS · 07-02-2010, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeSS

i have a corsa cat back + k&N CAI. and i have some shorty headers just laying around. i am kind of scared to put them on... do you guys think with the headers its just to much extra air flow without a tune.... i know it might not throw a code but even with out the code that kind of allot of extra air flow with factory tune ????

and if something goes wrong it will affect warranty, because they will say all of that extra air flow caused what ever to happen ?

bro your car will be fine with those mods on a factory tune. but your gains will be minimal. and if you do put them on that doesnt mean you drag race at every red light. just maintain your fluids and drive normal and when you want to open her up you can. yes your warranty will be an issue if the dealer knows you have them on. pretty much anything you do to mod the car perfomormance wise can void your warranty. anything can happen to anyone at anytime. but imo the ls3/l99 is a very capable engine that has alot more potential. putting on simple bolt ons like that shouldnt hurt it as long as they are done right. IMO

Dan@showstopper · 07-02-2010, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ackeight

Sounds like a paradox. Tune and lose the warranty, but keep the engine running better, or don't tune and blow a valve. I'm sure it is rare, but it did happen.

All depends on the dealer. My dealer told me I could do long tube headers. If there was a problem the worst thing would be I would have to take them off and bring it back for warranty work. It all depends on the dealership and the relationship they have with GM.

07-02-2010, 12:53 AM	#1
mikeSS Drives: 2015 c7 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: MI Posts: 7,462	cat back, CAI ,shorty headers too much extra air flow? without a tune i have a corsa cat back + k&N CAI. and i have some shorty headers just laying around. i am kind of scared to put them on... do you guys think with the headers its just to much extra air flow without a tune.... i know it might not throw a code but even with out the code that kind of allot of extra air flow with factory tune ???? and if something goes wrong it will affect warranty, because they will say all of that extra air flow caused what ever to happen ?

07-02-2010, 04:52 PM	#2
FB3 Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS RS LS3, BRM, NPP Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 411	Shorty headers do little or nothing to improve performance on the LS3. Long tubes are another story. There is a member on this forum who had a cai and cat back only on his car and had some serious engine damage due to a broken valve I believe. He said that the dealer read the ECM and it showed non stock paramaters even though it was not tuned. Could be the ECM doing what it is supposed to and adjusting FAM for the cai and cat back. Anyway, in this specific case, they fixed his engine, but voided his warranty based on non stock ECM calibration. I sure don't agree with it, but it happened and he was unable to get the decision reversed. Can't remember the thread, but is was within the last month or so. I have a cai and cat backs on my car and am keeping my fingers crossed. GM is getting very serious about warranty issues. __________________ Experience is the best teacher but the tuition is very high.

07-02-2010, 10:31 PM	#9
FB3 Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS RS LS3, BRM, NPP Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 411	I certainly agree that a lot of the popular mods that we do should not cause a problem with the engine and drive train, but unfortunately GM feels differently. Say you have long tubes, high flow cats, cai, and a tune. You don't abuse or race the car, but just enjoy it. So it swallows a valve for whatever reason and takes out a piston. You just bought a new engine, and the rest of your drive train warranty is history too. This has happened on LS3 engines in Corvettes, Camaros, and Pontiac G8 GXP's that were completely stock. One poor guy with a GXP actually went through two engines in a short period of time with no mods or abuse. Same valve failure on both but different cylinders. I have owned all of these cars and spent a lot of time on the forums. These things do happen and will continue to happen. What are the odds that it will happen to you? Probably very high, but still there. So, you may mod your engine to your heart's content and never have a problem, or you may be one of the very few unlucky ones that do have a major problem and end up eating the engine replacement cost. Again, I don't like it, but it is the way things are and people should be very aware of the risk that they take when modifying their cars. Been on this soap box too long, but really feel that there should be more open disclosure from the manufacturers of these products about the risk involved in installing them on your car. Just know that the lack of a check engine light doesn't mean s##t when it comes voiding your warranty. __________________ Experience is the best teacher but the tuition is very high.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Official 1/4 Mile (V8) 2010+ Camaro Fast List	Merc	Dragstrip and Launch Techniques Discussion	3656	11-01-2025 02:41 PM
V8 Camaro Performance Upgrades List	Milk 1027	Camaro V8 LS3 / L99 Engine, Exhaust, and Bolt-Ons	93	08-30-2021 06:56 PM
Yellow Lexus Type Fog Lights?	phenixdragon	Cosmetics and Lighting Modification Discussions	37	05-21-2017 11:49 AM
Headers or Cat back?	H & E	Camaro V8 LS3 / L99 Engine, Exhaust, and Bolt-Ons	31	07-01-2009 02:26 PM
LS3 goes 11`s Bonestock!	GMRULZ	Camaro V8 LS3 / L99 Engine, Exhaust, and Bolt-Ons	28	12-08-2008 10:10 PM

07-02-2010, 06:55 PM	#4
ducq Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS/RS LS3 blck w/ IOM Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 580	Just great I shoulda never clicked into this thread. I have borla s axleback and a c.a.I. Cai. I have jba high flow cats coming. Now I'm afraid this stuff might do damage or throw a cel.

07-02-2010, 07:30 PM	#5
ackeight Drives: 10' 2SS/RS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Rockwall, TX Posts: 1,389 View My Garage	Sounds like a paradox. Tune and lose the warranty, but keep the engine running better, or don't tune and blow a valve. I'm sure it is rare, but it did happen.

07-02-2010, 09:00 PM	#6
HeavyD Drives: 1SSRS RY L99 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,323	That's just one case, anything could have happened with that. There are several members that have done those upgrades months ago and their cars are still running strong.

07-02-2010, 09:18 PM	#8
HeavyD Drives: 1SSRS RY L99 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,323	I wouldn't worry about. I don't see how a CAI will cause an engine to drop a valve.