Headers or tune
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
Headers or tune
Just put the vararam on but I was told it might be better to spend some money on a tune besides just tune that getting rid of the torque management will make a big difference?
Any opinions would be great!!
Any opinions would be great!!
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,235
Likes: 119
From: Short Hills, NJ
If money is an issue then I would certainly just get the tuning for now from the masters at Cartek Racing (www.cartek.net) in Garwood NJ...and then hang on and get ready to smile like this guy ---> 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 988
Likes: 2
What year and tranny is your vette?
If it is an auto, I say get the tune. Or if it is an 08 I say get the tune.
If it is the LS2 with a manual, I say get the headers.
Auto's benefit huge from the changing of torque management and the shift patterns.
The LS3 can pull a lot of horse power out with just a tune, but you have to make sure the tuner knows what the hell they are doing because the LS3 is tuned a lot differently than the LS2. Not many tuners realize that for the LS3 you HAVE to tune part throttle as well, or else the tune is going to go to hell in a hand basket shortly after getting off the dyno.
The LS2 is a great engine, but headers will give you more umph than just a tune in the manual tranny. You'll want to get tuned as soon as you can afterwards because those headers open up the LS2 to really benefit from a tune.
If it is an auto, I say get the tune. Or if it is an 08 I say get the tune.
If it is the LS2 with a manual, I say get the headers.
Auto's benefit huge from the changing of torque management and the shift patterns.
The LS3 can pull a lot of horse power out with just a tune, but you have to make sure the tuner knows what the hell they are doing because the LS3 is tuned a lot differently than the LS2. Not many tuners realize that for the LS3 you HAVE to tune part throttle as well, or else the tune is going to go to hell in a hand basket shortly after getting off the dyno.
The LS2 is a great engine, but headers will give you more umph than just a tune in the manual tranny. You'll want to get tuned as soon as you can afterwards because those headers open up the LS2 to really benefit from a tune.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
My car made 364WHP / 361wtq with a Vararam CAI and Kooks 1 3/4 catted headers. Plus a catback. That's about a 24horsepower gain for about $3000 worth of mods. A lot of money to make mediocre power gains on a car that is running outside of its original design parameters... This is NOT the way to mod...
Post tune it made 395whp / 387wtq. Considering the tune cost me $550, it is safe to say that getting a tune was easily the most cost effective power adder I've ever gotten
Tune was by Charlie at RPM btw. Here is the before/after dyno plot:
You should talk to your tuner. A lot of them will offer you greatly reduced rates if you come back for a re-tune. Under those conditions I would get a tune then headers. Otherwise I would say that headers are too expensive to be worth it unless you do a tune as well.
As far as tuning a stock car... Sorry but I can't help you there. I know automatic transmissions benefit a lot from the quicker shift points but I don't imagine it would do a ton for the engine itself.
Post tune it made 395whp / 387wtq. Considering the tune cost me $550, it is safe to say that getting a tune was easily the most cost effective power adder I've ever gotten
Tune was by Charlie at RPM btw. Here is the before/after dyno plot:You should talk to your tuner. A lot of them will offer you greatly reduced rates if you come back for a re-tune. Under those conditions I would get a tune then headers. Otherwise I would say that headers are too expensive to be worth it unless you do a tune as well.
As far as tuning a stock car... Sorry but I can't help you there. I know automatic transmissions benefit a lot from the quicker shift points but I don't imagine it would do a ton for the engine itself.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
Hey Dude....My re-tunes are FREE!
I'll explain what I do and even let you ride in the car with me.....
I'll make it worth the drive for you... 914-332-0049
Chuck CoW
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 8
From: Papillion, NE
If only we could get you out to Oklahoma City... 
Tuner Options are slim out here, and my car will be needing one in a few weeks when I return from the gulf and install the headers and intake. I bet there are a few guys who would like to have your handy work in their cars. Keep up the good work!
Tuner Options are slim out here, and my car will be needing one in a few weeks when I return from the gulf and install the headers and intake. I bet there are a few guys who would like to have your handy work in their cars. Keep up the good work!
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
I'm gonna be in KENTUCKY next week!
If only we could get you out to Oklahoma City...
Tuner Options are slim out here, and my car will be needing one in a few weeks when I return from the gulf and install the headers and intake. I bet there are a few guys who would like to have your handy work in their cars. Keep up the good work!
Tuner Options are slim out here, and my car will be needing one in a few weeks when I return from the gulf and install the headers and intake. I bet there are a few guys who would like to have your handy work in their cars. Keep up the good work!
at the C5 C6 BASH! Call me and I'll tell you about it.
Chuck CoW
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 8
From: Papillion, NE
Thats Great! I'm gonna be down near the PERSIAN GULF next week! 
Those are close!! I'll have to stop by! 
I'm deployed in service to our country Chuck, otherwise I'd give you a ring!
Thanks!
Though, even if I was at home Kentucky would be a stretch. I thought about your mail order tune, but my car is a daily driver so that wasn't practical. I'm gonna let a highly recommended local guy tune her up. Maybe sometime our paths will cross, and I'll let you work your magic!
Keep up the good work!
Those are close!! I'll have to stop by! I'm deployed in service to our country Chuck, otherwise I'd give you a ring!
Thanks!Though, even if I was at home Kentucky would be a stretch. I thought about your mail order tune, but my car is a daily driver so that wasn't practical. I'm gonna let a highly recommended local guy tune her up. Maybe sometime our paths will cross, and I'll let you work your magic!
Keep up the good work!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
Hey dude....Call me any time.... I've done ZILLIONS of Vararam tunes and ALL FUTURE RE-TUNES are TOTALLY FREE when you make other mods....
I'll explain what I do and even let you ride in the car with me.....
I'll make it worth the drive for you... 914-332-0049
Chuck CoW
I'll explain what I do and even let you ride in the car with me.....
I'll make it worth the drive for you... 914-332-0049
Chuck CoW