To Tune or not to Tune

[clarkshome]

Here is my question to all the "Camaro Gurus" out there. I am planning on installing a Airaid intake and Doug Thorley Cat Back exhaust (and possibly later high flow cats) to my 2012 SS. I have a reputable performance shop that is telling me that even though there are some CAI that might no throw out a CEL that the vehicle should still be tuned anyways since you are changing the make up of the vehicle.

I know the shop is probably right. I just want to know if I am leaning the car out too much without tuning and would the EMC adjust itself to make up the difference? I know the vehicle would run much better with the tune but I am on the fence about doing one.

[n116ebo]

Originally Posted by clarkshome

Here is my question to all the "Camaro Gurus" out there. I am planning on installing a Airaid intake and Doug Thorley Cat Back exhaust (and possibly later high flow cats) to my 2012 SS. I have a reputable performance shop that is telling me that even though there are some CAI that might no throw out a CEL that the vehicle should still be tuned anyways since you are changing the make up of the vehicle.

I know the shop is probably right. I just want to know if I am leaning the car out too much without tuning and would the EMC adjust itself to make up the difference? I know the vehicle would run much better with the tune but I am on the fence about doing one.

I feel your pain. I have almost 3 year warranty left on the 5 year. My pocket book has no problem buying the tune, but a little voice keeps saying "what if you have a drive train problem?" I wish I had brass b*lls and wouild just bite the bullet. chicken! chicken!

[Steck]

When you change the air intake, you definitely need to get it tuned to correct the MAF calibration. This becomes especially important for automatic cars so that torque reporting is more accurate.

[clarkshome]

I might just go ahead and do it. I've been told that once you drive a tuned car you will absolutely love it and wish you would have do it sooner. Anyways, these engines are tough and way underpowered and will easily take a few mods without even knowing about it. I have never, ever had a drivetrain problem with any car I have ever owned, as long as you do your regular maintenace and are not racing or tracking the car I don't think warranty should be an issue. (hopefully

[apeko]

Originally Posted by n116ebo

I feel your pain. I have almost 3 year warranty left on the 5 year. My pocket book has no problem buying the tune, but a little voice keeps saying "what if you have a drive train problem?" I wish I had brass b*lls and wouild just bite the bullet. chicken! chicken!

+1

[geaux_tigerss]

Remember folks, a tune is not a guaranteed warranty kill. It depends on the dealer and whether they want to work with you or not. Totally wreck your motor or transmission and GM will likely require an ECM check before repairs are authorized. Smaller problems may not be an issue. Also, never underestimate the power of an anonymous "gift" to the dealer service manager .

Also, the whole warranty isn't gone. Power seats stop working, windows don't roll down anymore, radio dies, still covered, ECM tune or not. That 3 year/36,000 mile bumper to bumper is still valid and will cover a great majority of common problems.

Do what you want.

However, don't ever listen to someone that says you HAVE to tune with an intake and catback (or even high flow cats or long tubes). It will not hurt anything to run without it. Always remember, you are dealing with salespeople. Most are great people, but they don't eat if they don't sell. Keep that in mind at all times.

[insomniac2k2]

My Airraid does not throw a CEL if that helps.

[Steck]

Originally Posted by geaux_tigerss

However, don't ever listen to someone that says you HAVE to tune with an intake and catback (or even high flow cats or long tubes). It will not hurt anything to run without it. Always remember, you are dealing with salespeople. Most are great people, but they don't eat if they don't sell. Keep that in mind at all times.

People with automatics need to have the MAF calibrated if they want their A6 to survive and not destroy itself from inaccurate torque reporting.

[geaux_tigerss]

Originally Posted by Steck@Craven

People with automatics need to have the MAF calibrated if they want their A6 to survive and not destroy itself from inaccurate torque reporting.

After which mod (that I previously listed) and why?

[Steck]

Originally Posted by geaux_tigerss

After which mod (that I previously listed) and why?

A cold air intake changes the MAF calibration. The MAF in these cars is a slot MAF that is inserted into a housing. The size of that housing and the penetration depth into the airstream changes the MAF calibration, along with bends before and after the MAF. A good rule of thumb is that if you have three diameters of straight tube before the MAF and one diameter of straight afterwards, the metering won't be impacted by the bends.

The PCM/TCM rely heavily on the MAF to estimate the torque output of the engine. This delivered torque value is used by the TCM to help determine shift times and pressures along with how much timing to pull for torque management. If the reported torque value is too low or too high, the transmission will use the wrong values to complete the shift which can result in a very lazy shift that slips the clutch packs excessively or a very harsh shift which might snap something in an extreme case.

[Slowhawk]

Originally Posted by Steck@Craven

People with automatics need to have the MAF calibrated if they want their A6 to survive and not destroy itself from inaccurate torque reporting.

This is correct.

You can still play the no tuning game but it's up to the owner.

[Phantom.5SS]

???? I installed an American Thunder cat-back and a C.A.I industries cold air..so your saying I need a tune to save my auto trans????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???

[Rhino79]

Ideally, you would retune it. They are correct that the transmission shifts are based on tq values. Inaccurate tq values will equal inaccurate shift pressures and timing.

[apisxv]

I just put on Roto Fab intake and MRT axle backs. Wondering same thing. So, I guess the performance module I bought off Ebay wont do the trick? LOL. Didn't think it would, but for $25 and no risk of affecting any significant mechanical changes or leaving a footprint, I had to do it to see what happens...