Tune with headers needed ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,054
Likes: 889
From: Tampa Florida
I have the Melrose 1 7/8" on my 05 Z51. Mine did not throw any codes on the initial installation. With the VaraRam, ported intake/tb and tune added me an additional 36 rwhp. I drove around for about a month without a tune thinking my car was faster. But it was a deception....it wasn't actually. All in all, the tune made an enormous difference.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area California
Yes it is recommended because a tune will generate a better air/fuel mixture. Plus I believe with only headers you will gain something like 15 rwhp while adding a tune will give you an extra 5-15 rwhp.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
http://www.corvettes-of-westchester.com/main.htm
located in NY, but Chuck (the tuner) travels the country.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
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From: Missouri City Texas
That depends on how much of cow kool-aid you drink, lol.
There are MANY good tuners on this forum that can do what you need after headers.
But to answer your question...no, it isnt necessary to get a tune after headers, but it DOES help.
There are MANY good tuners on this forum that can do what you need after headers.
But to answer your question...no, it isnt necessary to get a tune after headers, but it DOES help.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,396
Likes: 169
When I first got the C6, my first mod was a cai and a set of headers. With no tune, the car ran fine. No code issue. Keep in mind that the engine control module is designed to control the engine properties from below zero to extremely high ambient temps and altitudes from below sea level to air densities above 10k feet. This is a pretty wide area of varables for the computer to control. Personally, I think it will compensate easily for the somewhat cooler air inlet temps that a cai will provide and the small change in the fuel/air mixture that the headers will provide. Granted, a good tune will probably add an additional horespower of two, especially if it is tuned for 93 octane gasoline, but, with only the referenced modifications, I think money for a tune can be spent wiser, but that's just my opinion. Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
A good tune will certainly add more than 1-2 rwhp and for the money a tune is one of the best mods that you can do to a car for the money (if it's done properly).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,121
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From: Greenville, NC
2025 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Really brings it all together.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 514
Likes: 31
From: Corinth, TX
I measured a 3-5% increase in efficiency with Headers, tuning is needed to take advantage of this in WOT mode. Closed loop putting around will be automatically adjusted for to a great degree, but not the preferred way to go.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
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From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,307
Likes: 111
From: Tucson AZ
A tune is not mandatory, but highly recommended after a header installation.
If you eliminate your cats, you will have to have the rear O2 sensors turned off and this will require a tune.
Even if you retain cats or purchase hi-flow cats, most long tube headers move the cats further away from the head (heat source) and some cars will set a code indicating the cats are malfunctioning. In this case you will also need to turn off the rear O2 sensors.
If you eliminate your cats, you will have to have the rear O2 sensors turned off and this will require a tune.
Even if you retain cats or purchase hi-flow cats, most long tube headers move the cats further away from the head (heat source) and some cars will set a code indicating the cats are malfunctioning. In this case you will also need to turn off the rear O2 sensors.