Am I required to re-program the ECM? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

pears2 · 11-13-2011, 07:19 AM

I'm thinking of installing a CAI system and a cat-back Flowmaster exhaust on my 2011 2SS M6, do I need to have the ECM re-programmed? I have been told the ECM will adjust itself for the increased air flow as I drive the car. Others have told me, I have to purchase a reprogrammer because the engine will run lean it I do not adjust the ECM. Anyone know for sure?

Thanks

The Stig · 11-13-2011, 07:20 AM

No. The ECM will adjust for the CAI

caverman · 11-13-2011, 09:24 AM

Stieger is right. The computer can make enough of an adjustment to handle the intake and exchaust.

Juiced1 · 11-14-2011, 05:56 PM

Don't worry about a tune until you start in on headers or some internal mods. Intake and exhaust won't effect the tune much.

DROPIMP · 11-14-2011, 06:29 PM

Sorry guys but, if the ECM adapts to the CAI, why do they sell "No tune" CAIs??

Ratt · 11-14-2011, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DROPIMP

Sorry guys but, if the ECM adapts to the CAI, why do they sell "No tune" CAIs??

Hes right, if you buy a cold air intake that doesn't add any HP then you probably wont need a tune. If you buy a good one you will need to tune the car.

Don't tune the car until your done adding all the bolt on mods you want.

Don't waste money buying a programmer, take your car to a Pro and have it tuned

leviticus88 · 11-14-2011, 06:40 PM

I would tune the car.

daveagogo1 · 11-14-2011, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DROPIMP

Sorry guys but, if the ECM adapts to the CAI, why do they sell "No tune" CAIs??

Because a select few intakes actually do require a tune. 95% of the intakes for the 5th gen do not. Yes you do gain a little HP even without a tune as the ECM can and will adjust for the added airflow. Vararam sells both versions and anyone here will agree they both make HP.

JDP Motorsports · 11-14-2011, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juiced1

Don't worry about a tune until you start in on headers or some internal mods. Intake and exhaust won't effect the tune much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratt

Hes right, if you buy a cold air intake that doesn't add any HP then you probably wont need a tune. If you buy a good one you will need to tune the car.

Don't tune the car until your done adding all the bolt on mods you want.

Don't waste money buying a programmer, take your car to a Pro and have it tuned

An intake doesn't have to require a tune to be "good". In fact the good intakes don't generally require tuning as the manufacture spent the time engineering it correctly to work with the MAF and maintained good fuel trims..

You can always pick up more HP with a tune and remove the torque management which really wakes them up but the CAI or Flowmaster will not require tuning. I also agree with taking it to a good local tuner when that time comes.

Kind regards,

Jordan Priestley
888.308.6007

The Stig · 11-14-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DROPIMP

Sorry guys but, if the ECM adapts to the CAI, why do they sell "No tune" CAIs??

The only CAI that I know of that specifically states "no tune" is the Vararam, and that is because there is a "tuned" version and a "no tune" version.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratt

Hes right, if you buy a cold air intake that doesn't add any HP then you probably wont need a tune. If you buy a good one you will need to tune the car.

Don't tune the car until your done adding all the bolt on mods you want.

Don't waste money buying a programmer, take your car to a Pro and have it tuned

Check out the Jannetty CAI test thread. All of the intakes they tested were "no tune" and they showed gains.

Quote:

Originally Posted by leviticus88

I would tune the car.

While tuning the car does free up a lot of power, it is not necessary with just a CAI and exhaust.

Parag · 11-14-2011, 08:29 PM

you get more power out of the part with a tune, but an improvement will still be seen. if you put on a CAI on a stock car you will see 10 hp. but if you tune with CAI you will see more like 20 hp. the car will run just fine without a tune, but you are losing some of the benefit you paid for.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...ndent+CAI+test

The Stig · 11-14-2011, 08:42 PM

20 rwhp is kind of stretching it, but yes you CAN get more out of a CAI with a tune but it is not needed.

Ratt · 11-16-2011, 05:25 AM

The OP’s question was “am I required to re-program the ECM?” The answer to that is no.

Many of us started out where you are or at the other end at an Axle back or Cat back add on. You won’t stop at the air intake trust me. Once you get the air intake and if it’s a good one, you will like the added power. You will want more, so it’s on to headers and cat back and so on. A tune is ties them all together and makes them operate at maximum efficiency.

A warranty is to protect you from what MIGHT happen, never let what MIGHT happen get in the way of what you WANT to happen.

JANNETTYRACING · 11-16-2011, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratt

The OP’s question was “am I required to re-program the ECM?” The answer to that is no.

Many of us started out where you are or at the other end at an Axle back or Cat back add on. You won’t stop at the air intake trust me. Once you get the air intake and if it’s a good one, you will like the added power. You will want more, so it’s on to headers and cat back and so on. A tune is ties them all together and makes them operate at maximum efficiency.

A warranty is to protect you from what MIGHT happen, never let what MIGHT happen get in the way of what you WANT to happen.

Correct, But in the CAI Test spread sheet I Make recommendations for tuning required, or not.

So the question is open ended without knowing What CAI the OP is Referring to.

And There is a lot more to the tunes then adjusting for the CAI.

Ted.

11-13-2011, 07:19 AM	#1
pears2 Drives: 2011 Black/Silver Synergy Series Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 85	Am I required to re-program the ECM? I'm thinking of installing a CAI system and a cat-back Flowmaster exhaust on my 2011 2SS M6, do I need to have the ECM re-programmed? I have been told the ECM will adjust itself for the increased air flow as I drive the car. Others have told me, I have to purchase a reprogrammer because the engine will run lean it I do not adjust the ECM. Anyone know for sure? Thanks

11-13-2011, 07:20 AM	#2
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	No. The ECM will adjust for the CAI __________________

11-13-2011, 09:24 AM	#3
caverman Drives: '69 SS Convertible Join Date: May 2009 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 7,111	Stieger is right. The computer can make enough of an adjustment to handle the intake and exchaust. __________________ *-2010 Camaro* 2SS \| M6 \| VR w/White Stripes \| 1 3/4" KOOKS - 3" Magnaflow \| LPE 3.91 gears \| ADM tuned \| Halltech w/ADM Scoop \| Spohn/BMR Trailing Arm/Toe Rod \| BC Coilovers\| Pedders FE4 ZL1 swaybars \| Cradle/Diff/Radius Rod bushings \| VMax TB \| Morimoto Projectors \| MGW shifter \| Red Calipers Build Journal

11-14-2011, 08:42 PM	#12
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	20 rwhp is kind of stretching it, but yes you CAN get more out of a CAI with a tune but it is not needed. __________________

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11-14-2011, 05:56 PM	#4
Juiced1 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 2SS CAMARO 45th Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: St. Charles, IL Posts: 18,648	Don't worry about a tune until you start in on headers or some internal mods. Intake and exhaust won't effect the tune much.

11-14-2011, 06:29 PM	#5
DROPIMP Drives: 2010 SS Camaro Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ciudad Obregon, Mexico Posts: 41	Sorry guys but, if the ECM adapts to the CAI, why do they sell "No tune" CAIs??

11-14-2011, 06:40 PM	#7
leviticus88 Camaro Owner Soon! Drives: Chevrolet Cobalt SS/SC S2 GMPP Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 184 View My Garage	I would tune the car.

11-14-2011, 08:29 PM	#11
Parag Drives: 2010 camaro 2SS LS3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Denver Posts: 1,334	you get more power out of the part with a tune, but an improvement will still be seen. if you put on a CAI on a stock car you will see 10 hp. but if you tune with CAI you will see more like 20 hp. the car will run just fine without a tune, but you are losing some of the benefit you paid for. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...ndent+CAI+test

11-16-2011, 05:25 AM	#13
Ratt Account Suspended Drives: 2ss Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 199	The OP’s question was “am I required to re-program the ECM?” The answer to that is no. Many of us started out where you are or at the other end at an Axle back or Cat back add on. You won’t stop at the air intake trust me. Once you get the air intake and if it’s a good one, you will like the added power. You will want more, so it’s on to headers and cat back and so on. A tune is ties them all together and makes them operate at maximum efficiency. A warranty is to protect you from what MIGHT happen, never let what MIGHT happen get in the way of what you WANT to happen.