Will headers automatically trip a "Check engine" light?

[Nutro]

I am about to order a full 3" cat-back exhaust to go with my high-flow cats and I am REALLY on the fence with just buying headers and high-flow cats from Texas Speed or Stainless Works and running my axle-back setup. I really really want headers but I am one of the ******s on here that does not want to tune and lose my warranty.

I lost my FT job over a year ago and only working PT right now. I'm not in a position to pay for a motor or trans should I blow it up and be without said warranty. I just cannot afford it.

If I run the O2 extensions, extenders, high-flow cats etc etc with headers am I for sure going to get a CEL? I don't think I can pass inspection with a CEL glowing.

[The Blue Ox]

Yes, you will for sure get a cel! Some people get them pretty much right after install and some takes a little while! If you get a cel light, you can have the code reset or disconnect your battery, then hook it back up and the light should be off! After you get the cel light off, you then must drive 40 or 50 miles without the cel coming on to get a sticker in Texas!

[Bo White]

Mine came on almost two weeks after install of daily driving.

[AdamZ]

Mine came on a day or two after install

[vfrider]

I live in Arizona and my header CEL only came on during the coldest night of the winter here. I disconnected the battery for an hour a couple weeks later and the light hasn't come back since. My oil pump failed and everything's getting covered under warranty because it doesn't have a CEL being thrown and the ECU is untouched. I was going to order a cam package the weekend it failed, and I'm so glad I'm not tuned. I ordered Forgestar F14s instead.

[Ledzepx]

Yep. Maybe not right after the install. But it will.

[litle88]

Nutro my advise is if your not ready to pay don't play bud. I haven't had any problems thank god so far an I tuned mine 10 weeks after I got mine in 10'. I'm not rich but I do all my own work. Save the money and do some suspension work from BMR. Just my .2

[Doc]

There's a reason why the CEL comes on and you should get a tune for the "new" engine conditions you've created. If you don't want to void your warranty, don't get LT headers. If you absolutely must have more power, shorties won't require a tune nor will they void the warranty. Headers should also be paired up with an improved intake, like a cold air intake if you haven't already upgraded to one.

But honestly, if you just lost full-time down to only working part-time, modding your car isn't a priority. I'd focus on getting back to full-time or adding another part-time job so you don't get in a bind financially. If your company had to move you to part-time, what's to say they won't need to lay you off completely? Hang onto your money; eating and surviving is more important than modding your car.

That's my 2 cents anyways.

[litle88]

Nooo don't get shorties they are a waste of money!

And no you won't need to tune your car right away if you MUST get those headers on, you can tune it when your good and ready. You'll just have to deal with the lights on the dash lol.

[nsane]

Nutro,
I take the approach of seeing mods as a fun thing to talk about. Then I tell myself that stock is pretty cool 20 years later when people see the beauty of a stock car... untouched. I am like you. I want that rumble, but the fears of "what's next" creeps into my mind. A buddy of mine used to be a mechanic and is now an engineer. I always run my ideas by him. His response is consistent, "just drive it."

If you do put on headers, I will agree with the previous posts that recommend a tune. A lean/rich running engine will cause more pain down the road.

Good luck with the job search!

[litle88]

His fuel will be fine, what makes you think it's going to be rich or lean?

[litle88]

SS = stock sucks

[Apex Motorsports]

Without a tune you WILL get a CEL. Either immediately or eventually it will happen.

[Bo White]

I tuned mine about 2 months after install. I did dyno the car right after install to check the a/f and it was safe.