davered00ss

Thinking about throwing a set of headers on my C6 ls3 with the A&A Vortec Supercharger.

Do I need a retune? I know to get the best I should, but is it necessary?

Tech

Yes.

Detoxx03

Sure is

Mike's LS3

Absolutely, I have an A&A kit and needed a tune going from oem NPP to full Z06 exhaust. You'll be glad you did.

davered00ss

The plan was to eventually do it. I don't want to add meth, but was thinking because the headers will reduce back pressure and therefore boost pressure. I thought I could go down a size in pulleys and get the same #'s of boost? I would do a retune at that point, but I thought because I was staying at the same boost no meth would be necessary?

Tech

You cannot add headers, pulley up, and expect your octane requirements to be the same. You don't add octane because of boost pressure, you add it for cylinder pressure. Cylinder pressure is not affected by a freer flowing exhaust.

schpenxel

Yeah, cylinders don't care how much "boost" you're seeing. This whole nonsense about "losing" boost boggles my brain, but is a common statement for whatever reason

Cylinder pressure is what matters. I'd go ahead and add meth, do the pulley swap and headers and have it all tuned once

To answer your original question--if you're JUST doing headers, the re-tune should be fairly simple, so I would hope the tuner doesn't charge you whatever their full price is for taking care of that. They do need to check it out though, even more so if you don't have a wideband to see what is going on

LSX228R

I would do the ARH 1 7/8 long tubes for sure. Without meth on that dyno you'll probably be around 560/500. Pretty sure they won't advise to pulley down that blower without an alky kit. Why don't you want to add meth?

davered00ss

I'm not worried about the cost of the tune, its the time to get it there.

as for the meth, main reason is replacing the pump yearly? from what I have heard, meth is tough on the seals and the pumps go out yearly.

Never really thought about the cylinder pressure. I just always noticed when people added headers back pressure went down and so did boost levels. I just related boost to need for meth.


Dave

Mike's LS3

Freer flowing exhaust will help reduce exhaust gas temps which reduces the chance of detonation. Yes, it may also reduce boost a bit, but not power.

If you stay under 600 rwhp, under 10psi boost. don't live in high temperature climate and properly tuned you can get away with no meth. If you are experiencing a heat weave, throw in some Torco for added protection.

schpenxel

I wouldn't say they go out annually, I would say it's a good idea to swap the pump once a year to make sure it doesn't go out though. That's a small price to pay for the benefits IMO, ~$150 the first year

After you have a second pump you can just have the spare rebuilt for less and they aren't bad to swap out

Detoxx03

Swap mine every two years and have a spare. Really no big deal at all.

LSX228R

Could always just change the pump at the same time you do the oil and clean the air filter. I hear you though, just another thing to maintain lol

davered00ss

I did the ARH 1 7/8" with cats. I need to hook up with my tuner and get it on the Dyno and talk about what's next.

Although I do need tires next.

LSX228R

He will probably suggest meth, pulley down the blower, and a cam swap. Don't want to get too crazy without e85 or meth to get the octane up.

davered00ss

Car is an auto, so I'm thinking a torque converter may be next.

fisher auto

Track the car at all?

davered00ss

Vey rarely. Looking for more of a fast street car. drivability is more important than track times