04-07-2013, 12:38 AM | #1 |
Drives: 2011 2SS Synergy Green Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 3,670
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Will headers automatically trip a "Check engine" light?
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.
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L99 With a Maggie
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04-07-2013, 12:59 AM | #2 |
Drives: 2010 SS L99 Inferno Orange Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Texas Coast
Posts: 1,167
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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!
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04-07-2013, 01:23 AM | #3 |
Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Vance Alabama
Posts: 8,019
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Mine came on almost two weeks after install of daily driving.
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Retired wanna be cylinder head porter
2015 2SS 1LE Clutch reservoir, Vararam DRX, ported TB, TSP 2" headers, MGW shifter Totalled: 2010 1SS Wilkes Performance/Eagle 416 shortblock, TSP custom valvetrain, PRC 260 heads, Edelbrock Pro Flo 102, th400 swap, 8" PTC 5500 stall= 535/435 at the wheels tuned Gen 3 Performance and Dyno 10.97 @ 124 full weight in 3100 DA CamaroFest X |
04-07-2013, 01:39 AM | #4 |
Account Suspended
Drives: Eve - 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Fairfield, OH
Posts: 11,815
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Mine came on a day or two after install
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04-07-2013, 02:02 AM | #5 |
Drives: 2012 2ss/rs mt Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Baja Zona
Posts: 81
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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.
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04-07-2013, 07:09 AM | #6 |
Drives: 2010 2SS Camaro 6sp. Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 639
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Yep. Maybe not right after the install. But it will.
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04-07-2013, 07:26 AM | #7 |
V8 Lounge member #2
Drives: 2001 Ws6 Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Burbank,IL
Posts: 6,373
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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
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2001 ws6, 40k miles, Ls3 416 stroker, short block built by PER the rest by me. LPE Ls3 heads milled to 12-1 comp, FAST 102, NW 102, kooks 2", dual DMH cutouts, Magnaflow C/B, BTR cam + springs. Full UMI suspension.
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04-07-2013, 07:37 AM | #8 |
Dances With Mustangs
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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.
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Blue Angel is here!! 1SS/RS LS3 M6 IBM |
04-07-2013, 07:45 AM | #9 |
V8 Lounge member #2
Drives: 2001 Ws6 Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Burbank,IL
Posts: 6,373
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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.
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2001 ws6, 40k miles, Ls3 416 stroker, short block built by PER the rest by me. LPE Ls3 heads milled to 12-1 comp, FAST 102, NW 102, kooks 2", dual DMH cutouts, Magnaflow C/B, BTR cam + springs. Full UMI suspension.
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04-07-2013, 07:48 AM | #10 |
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!
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Iowa Nice
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04-07-2013, 08:47 AM | #11 |
V8 Lounge member #2
Drives: 2001 Ws6 Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Burbank,IL
Posts: 6,373
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His fuel will be fine, what makes you think it's going to be rich or lean?
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2001 ws6, 40k miles, Ls3 416 stroker, short block built by PER the rest by me. LPE Ls3 heads milled to 12-1 comp, FAST 102, NW 102, kooks 2", dual DMH cutouts, Magnaflow C/B, BTR cam + springs. Full UMI suspension.
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04-07-2013, 08:49 AM | #12 |
V8 Lounge member #2
Drives: 2001 Ws6 Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Burbank,IL
Posts: 6,373
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SS = stock sucks
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2001 ws6, 40k miles, Ls3 416 stroker, short block built by PER the rest by me. LPE Ls3 heads milled to 12-1 comp, FAST 102, NW 102, kooks 2", dual DMH cutouts, Magnaflow C/B, BTR cam + springs. Full UMI suspension.
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04-07-2013, 09:43 AM | #13 |
Drives: 2000 Camaro SS Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Louisville, Ky.
Posts: 25,179
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Without a tune you WILL get a CEL. Either immediately or eventually it will happen.
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04-07-2013, 10:55 AM | #14 |
Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Vance Alabama
Posts: 8,019
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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.
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Retired wanna be cylinder head porter
2015 2SS 1LE Clutch reservoir, Vararam DRX, ported TB, TSP 2" headers, MGW shifter Totalled: 2010 1SS Wilkes Performance/Eagle 416 shortblock, TSP custom valvetrain, PRC 260 heads, Edelbrock Pro Flo 102, th400 swap, 8" PTC 5500 stall= 535/435 at the wheels tuned Gen 3 Performance and Dyno 10.97 @ 124 full weight in 3100 DA CamaroFest X |
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