So if I put on my new set of LG Streets do I have to tune the car right away? Thing is that I'm moving in a month I have access to a hoist here, but cannot have the car tuned here. Will I hurt anything to do the install then have to drive 300-400 miles to my new home?

-KOZ

 

some will say you don't need to, but I picked up 30 hp with my street install and tune...

Here's the tread with dyno results posted.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2039367

 

It will be fine to drive, no problems. I probably had 4/500 miles on my LG Streets prior to any tuning.

Do make sure to re-torque all the bolts after a couple heat cycles. Exhaust leaks can create more havoc with fuel trims than the headers.

 

I had almost a year on my previous 97 with long tubes and no tune...didn't seem to hurt anything but it did leave some HP on the table in the end...picked up almost 30HP at the wheels after a tune...this was with a pair of Kooks LT's, highflow cats and 3" X-Pipe.

Great mod- and I ran them out through a Z06 Ti catback...nice bite, no drone!

 

You dont "have" to tune it at all, the car will be just fine.

A tune brings out the best after mods, but is NOT something that is necessary.

 

You have to tune it. The car will not be fine.

While a tune will bring the best out after mods, it is still something that is necessary.

 

Thats just not true.
Why exactly is it necessary?

 

How about that my car ran so lean when I put on longtubes that the headers glowed visibly red in the broad daylight and bucked, popped and snorted all the way to the tuner.

I am sure not all cars will do this but my point is, if you are going to spend 1-2 K on metal pipe, why not do it right? IMO, if you can't afford the tune, you can't afford the mod. Just budget it in.

Saying it is completely unnecessary is what "just isn't true." You should always leave room for alternate possibility. You may need a tune, you may not. Plan on it and be happy if you don't. Simple enough.

 

sounds to me like a crossed O2 sensor...I daily drove my 97 for almost a year with no tune and never experienced any of what you are stating...nor did it drop in gas mileage.

most tuners can get you 12 to 15 HP on a stock car- so if you figure you get another 12 to 15 HP with the headers, that puts you at the 25 to 30 HP people see afterward.

When I did my LT headers- I didn't tune until after I did the intake system as well...this included an LS6 intake and high flow air filter setup such as a haltech stinger. Even after I did everything, it was still several weeks before I had a tune done...car ran perfect and felt great after my mods.

I helped my buddy put LT's on his C5 6 months ago- he still has the stock tune and his car also runs fine...he has an 02 Z06.

 

Nothing was wrong except the AF ratio. No corrections made except a tune.

I will say this, the stock Z06/Vettes are pig rich from the factory. Maybe on a bone stock car just adding headers will still be in the non-lean zone. Mine had an intake and a tune already. = lean w/headers and no tune. They do make a difference in your AF ratio.

 

is it necessary...well that depends on your car....each car is specific and responds to mods just as much as a human does to different medicines for treating a disease. This is the easiest way I can sum it up. I agree with others, by altering your car in any way, you are changing its characteristics and how it responds. Depending on the mod you do and how well your car responds to it will determine how far off now the car will be from the original tune. This will then let you know what you need to do to the tune to make and set the car right.

In other words for each thing you do, depending on the complexity of the mod, you may or may not have to retune the car. Bottom line is you don't want to be driving around a car that is too lean....very bad indeed. You also won't want a car that is so rich that you are smelling gas and get poor mpg. This is why a tune may be necessary. It all depends on your mods and your car. For me, I would rather know for certain my car is running safe after I have modified it, thus a tune.

I hope this has helped, you just need to think about it all logically and please don't go by one poster saying YES, you have to cause my car needed it, or another that says NO, cause my car didn't need it. EACH CAR is different on the way it responds to mods.