Headers - Is a tune required ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 472
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton Florida
Headers - Is a tune required ?
If you installed headers and cats on a stock C6, is a tune definitely required ? I understand the performance gains with a tune but will she run ok with out ?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 967
Likes: 1
sorta all depends, it should drive ok, but again can depend
honestly i would say get some sort of tune
you are alerting something that will impact the AF ratio
not to mention you may get a fuss about the 02's
chances are it will need to be richened a little bit
honestly i would say get some sort of tune
you are alerting something that will impact the AF ratio
not to mention you may get a fuss about the 02's
chances are it will need to be richened a little bit
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 64
From: Lakeville, MA
St. Jude Donor '10
I just installed a vararam cai and a set of headers with hi flow cats. My WOT AFR was within 1-3% of commanded (on the rich side) with the stock tune. '08 A6 and AFR in the 11's. You should get a tune but if you don't you should be ok driving it until you get one. Check engine light may come on for rear o2's
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,022
Likes: 18
From: Tampa FL (formerly Justinjor)
Tech Contributor
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14
I've had my headers and catless x pipe on the car for about 6 weeks now and no issues. My cel is on because of the rear 02s but it's nothing major. In fact, I had a new PR at the dragstrip with the headers. If I wasn't installing a cam this week, I would want a tune just to make sure everything is running at it's peak, and to also turn off the rear 02s, but it's not required.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 105
Likes: 14
From: Jacksonville, Fl
Imho,
Yes, you would need a tune, eventually. If not, you'll be getting O2 codes all over the place. Not to mention the lack in performance and gas mileage due to the computer constantly trying to compensate for the O2 codes being thrown.
AF will also be constantly changing as the computer will be trying to find the right mix.
(I've actually driven mine for a bit without a proper tune after going catless, and the fuel usage and performance drop was significant).
Having said that, you can still drive it around and enjoy the car, you just won't be anywhere near peak performance, and you'll have to deal with those annoying O2 error codes. So I would enjoy it, but plan on having it properly tuned, and enjoy it even more after the tune.
AF will also be constantly changing as the computer will be trying to find the right mix.
(I've actually driven mine for a bit without a proper tune after going catless, and the fuel usage and performance drop was significant).
Having said that, you can still drive it around and enjoy the car, you just won't be anywhere near peak performance, and you'll have to deal with those annoying O2 error codes. So I would enjoy it, but plan on having it properly tuned, and enjoy it even more after the tune.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,022
Likes: 18
From: Tampa FL (formerly Justinjor)
Tech Contributor
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14
I've experienced no loss in performance with my non-tuned catless headers installed for the past 5-6 weeks. The rear 02s are only used to measure catalytic efficiency by measuring the difference in reading in the front and rear 02s. They are not necessary and as such, can be turned off when the car is tuned.