Installing headers - Do I need to tune TCM also?

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May 11, 2019 | 08:17 AM

Dcasole

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From: Atlanta GA

Installing headers - Do I need to tune TCM also?

LT 1 owners with an A8 that installed headers , I have a question for you

I have a 2015 LT 1 A8 and will be installing headers soon , I will have the ECM tuned but I saw one guy post on here that his transmission shifted "lazy" after install .

Never saw any follow up to this post and really not sure if his problem was related to the header install or just typical A8 issues as I have installed headers on many cars including my C6 A6 and never felt the need to tune the transmission

I have searched this forum and many others to see if anyone else reported the need to tune the A8 TCM after header install

I already have a Vararam , ported intake, Borla , a tune, AFM turned off

My A8 shifts flawlessly and with all the problems with the A8 , I would like to keep it that way and not tune the TCM

I know if I TUNE the TCM it would probably shift better and faster but ..... I don't want to push my luck as I think I am one of the few that has no issues in 41,000 miles

Thoughts

Dave

Last edited by Dcasole; May 11, 2019 at 09:04 AM.

May 11, 2019 | 08:34 AM

DRC767

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From: Burns, Tennessee

You do not have to tune the TCM after a header install.

May 11, 2019 | 09:03 AM

Dcasole

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From: Atlanta GA

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRC767

You do not have to tune the TCM after a header install.

DRC , do you have headers and an A8 ?

Dave

May 11, 2019 | 09:07 AM

DRC767

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From: Burns, Tennessee

My 2017 Z06 A8 is getting headers installed on Monday. The TCM was sent off to be unlocked by HP Tuners yesterday, but it was not a requirement. I personally do not like the way the A8 shifts and opted to tighten things up a bit, but it has nothing to do with the header install.

May 11, 2019 | 10:16 AM

Dcasole

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From: Atlanta GA

Anyone else already have installed headers and NOT have your TCM tuned , how does it shift ?

Dave

May 11, 2019 | 08:00 PM

Dcasole

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From: Atlanta GA

I cant believe that nobody has put headers on an A8 car and can answer my question lol lol

Dave

May 11, 2019 | 08:22 PM

Michaelh007

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From: San Jose, California

I never had any problems with my 16 z51 a8 once I installed my arh headers. been running the set up for almost a year.

Current setup:
Jegs throttle body
arh headers
catless x pipe
corsa extreme w/polygon tips
green filter
diablosport tune

Last edited by Michaelh007; May 11, 2019 at 08:23 PM.

May 11, 2019 | 08:27 PM

lakemg

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Dcasole

Anyone else already have installed headers and NOT have your TCM tuned , how does it shift ?

Dave

I have no tune on my ECM or TCM and it shifts just the same as it did before the header install. I don't see how installing headers could do anything to impact the shift characteristics and the post about the lazy shifts must be an anomaly.