Headers and Tune??

[ArmoSS]

I live in CA and have been hesistant on getting headers due to emissions, etc. But, I figured i don't need a smog check for a while, so screw it!

Question: If I get headers, do I need a tune? I don't want to void my warranty, and have extended warranty on my car as well, so I don't want to screw either up.

Will I gain much if I get headers without a tune? Is there a big difference between short tube and LT headers?

Any assistance here is much appreciated.

[Bad70supreme]

Nothing wrong with long tubes and no tune, you will have a cel and that would need a tune to turn off. As far as warrent goes, the tune will kill it so dont tune it. What you could do is deal with the cel and have your headers... then when its emission's time swap your manifolds and cats back on to take the test. Figuring its only 1 time every 2 years and its not that bad of a job! I am doing long tubes this weekend and not getting a tune untill I get a cam... after the cam warrenty is no go anyway

[Bad70supreme]

I would forget the shortys, you could always get high flow cats but I heard that sometimes throws a cel too!

[Bay Area SS]

Long tubes are definetley going to throw a code, and you will need to tune it out. Plus if you dont tune it after the install its more than likely going to run lean and not run correct. My buddy just installed long tubes on his SS. Threw a code and was running poor, until he tuned it. Hope this helps. If I was going to long tubes, which I would like to, its gettin dyno tuned immediately after.

[ArmoSS]

Thanks, guys. I've heard both...that there will be a cel and can tune it "out," but also that without a tune the car will not run correctly. That's a bummer, since I definitely wanted to get headers. It seems that without a tune it's just not the same.

[Tshepp]

I have heard of quite a few people who run headers without a tune for a decent period of time because they only want to tune once...

[Bad70supreme]

I guess I will find out for myself real soon. But my old 4th gens and my brothers 2000 T/A ran fine without a tune and long tubes. He's been running his cur untuned for 3 years now without any problem.

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by Bad70supreme

I guess I will find out for myself real soon. But my old 4th gens and my brothers 2000 T/A ran fine without a tune and long tubes. He's been running his cur untuned for 3 years now without any problem.

The Older Computers were a lot more Forgiving.

Ted.

[ArmoSS]

Originally Posted by JANNETTYRACING

The Older Computers were a lot more Forgiving.

Ted.

Ted, then you would agree that there's no point in getting LT headers without a tune? Stick to only CAI and exhaust if worried about warranty?

[Josh@ARH]

I know members on here have ran 02 sims or spacers to keep the car from throwing a CEL, so that could be a viable option for you. Also you will see quite a bit more power with LT's than shortys.

[SSOOCH]

I had JDP Motorsports throw on KOOKS LT headers and a tune before the fest. Greatest thing I've ever done to this car!!!

JUST DO IT!!!

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by ArmoSS

Ted, then you would agree that there's no point in getting LT headers without a tune? Stick to only CAI and exhaust if worried about warranty?

Agreed.

[sixty9fordkiller]

I live in california too. You dont have to smog your car for the first 5 years. Im not worried that i voided my powertrain warranty when I had Ted tune my car. My car isnt a drag race car. I drive it "spirited" at most to say the least and have taken it to the track only twice. So with that said, my car just barely hit 20,000 miles yesterday and the only powertrain issue i had was a bolt coming off the driveshaft which the dealer was quick to identify and gave me my car back in 2 days.(the repair only took about an hour but they didnt have the bolt which came as a complete set which they had to order from back east. They even repaired it even after i told my service advisor not to flash the computer whatsoever noting that it had custom calibration) I guess what im trying to say is that i took a chance based on confidence that chevy built me a good car that as long as i didnt abuse it, i couldnt break it. I figured if i paid $45K for the car (i bought the car in 2009 when every dealer was marking them up) and the 2005 Tahoe that I traded in for her never gave me ANY problem whatsoever, there was no reason to believe the camaro would be any different.

I understand how you feel about your warranty. My advice is to enjoy your car. If you want LTs, get them and do it right by tuning the car. As long as you dont abuse the car, it is VERY unlikely that you will break something that you couldnt afford to replace on your own. Chevy took their time on this car. Its built well and LS engines havent been under hoods since 1997 because they arent built well. As far as the smog goes, keep the factory cats and manifolds stored somewhere and swap them back in when you have to smog it. It is very easy to swap back and forth between headers and manifolds. Talk to Ted or any of the other vendors here. Ive only dealt with Ted but I have seen all other vendors in the forums and they have all been very helpful with everyone (customers AND non-customers alike) Ted or anyone of them can set you up and recommend a good set of affordable headers. You'll love them once you install them. Im sure i speak for everyone here that already has them

[c-dub]

Originally Posted by sixty9fordkiller

I live in california too. You dont have to smog your car for the first 5 years. Im not worried that i voided my powertrain warranty when I had Ted tune my car. My car isnt a drag race car. I drive it "spirited" at most to say the least and have taken it to the track only twice. So with that said, my car just barely hit 20,000 miles yesterday and the only powertrain issue i had was a bolt coming off the driveshaft which the dealer was quick to identify and gave me my car back in 2 days.(the repair only took about an hour but they didnt have the bolt which came as a complete set which they had to order from back east. They even repaired it even after i told my service advisor not to flash the computer whatsoever noting that it had custom calibration) I guess what im trying to say is that i took a chance based on confidence that chevy built me a good car that as long as i didnt abuse it, i couldnt break it. I figured if i paid $45K for the car (i bought the car in 2009 when every dealer was marking them up) and the 2005 Tahoe that I traded in for her never gave me ANY problem whatsoever, there was no reason to believe the camaro would be any different.

I understand how you feel about your warranty. My advice is to enjoy your car. If you want LTs, get them and do it right by tuning the car. As long as you dont abuse the car, it is VERY unlikely that you will break something that you couldnt afford to replace on your own. Chevy took their time on this car. Its built well and LS engines havent been under hoods since 1997 because they arent built well. As far as the smog goes, keep the factory cats and manifolds stored somewhere and swap them back in when you have to smog it. It is very easy to swap back and forth between headers and manifolds. Talk to Ted or any of the other vendors here. Ive only dealt with Ted but I have seen all other vendors in the forums and they have all been very helpful with everyone (customers AND non-customers alike) Ted or anyone of them can set you up and recommend a good set of affordable headers. You'll love them once you install them. Im sure i speak for everyone here that already has them

that right there was a very sound and well put together arguement. I want LT's really bad, but I am afraid of voiding the warranty. THis makes a ton of sense though. If I can find a way to lower my payments I'd be all about it, but as it stands right now I pay more per month due to the warranty and I doubt me voiding it would lower my payments...so as long as I am paying I might as well keep it right? Anybody know of a way to kill the warranty on paper?