Headers/X Pipe/ Aftermarket Pipe, tune needed?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 370
Likes: 20
From: DFW Texas
Headers/X Pipe/ Aftermarket Pipe, tune needed?
I am looking to replace my exhaust with the following;
long tube headers, xpipe and awe track edition axle back
will I need a tune or can I run without a tune?
long tube headers, xpipe and awe track edition axle back
will I need a tune or can I run without a tune?
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 143
Likes: 12
From: Beaumont, Southeast Texas
My tuner said it wasn’t needed and was a waste of money. But The engine would break up, pop, and sputter at upper rpm after I put the full exhaust on. My gut instinct was that a tune was needed and I was right. I highly recommend you get one.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,357
Likes: 558
From: MN
Your tuner isn't a tuner. He's an idiot! I just had Kooks headers and X pipe installed and you definitely need to tune it. My tuner is incredible. Car runs better now than when I 1st got it last fall.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 485
From: Moberly, Mo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,004
Likes: 250
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I when I heard guys say the car breaks up or sputters, I ask if they recently added the headers without removing the spark plugs or changed the spark plug, if they say yes, most of the time the spark plug, or the spark plug wire is creating the misfire.
Just heading headers to a bolt on level, usually doesnt lean out a car enough to make it misfire.
So the question of "do you NEED a tune after headers" because it will ruin the car if you dont, usually no. Do you want a tune after headers, Of Course so you can optimize your setup, remove trouble codes so you can get the most out of your set up and use your remote start.
You're cars pretty much have the same tune from the factory to help you pass inspection in all over the country even in non inspection states because of resale. You're tuner, if trained properly has the ability to give your car more power dialing it in specifically for you, your driving style, location, and fuel blends.
Just heading headers to a bolt on level, usually doesnt lean out a car enough to make it misfire.
So the question of "do you NEED a tune after headers" because it will ruin the car if you dont, usually no. Do you want a tune after headers, Of Course so you can optimize your setup, remove trouble codes so you can get the most out of your set up and use your remote start.
You're cars pretty much have the same tune from the factory to help you pass inspection in all over the country even in non inspection states because of resale. You're tuner, if trained properly has the ability to give your car more power dialing it in specifically for you, your driving style, location, and fuel blends.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
Spending big money on headers and an X pipe and not getting a tune is like taking a shower with your shoes and socks on. Sure you can do it but why would u .... if you don't want to tune , Save your money
Dave
Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 485
From: Moberly, Mo
Last edited by 99vetteran; Jun 10, 2021 at 07:17 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 143
Likes: 12
From: Beaumont, Southeast Texas
The only reason I didn’t pursue it is that I had a supercharger and cam package I was putting together and I knew that a radical change in tuning would be required. That’s the point I’m at today, just started that new combination and it’s headed to the dyno next week. It took far longer than expected to get the LT1 converted to LT4 clone. Life gets in the way lol.
There’s merit in that earlier comment about checking the spark plugs and wires carefully if misfires are present. I will agree, in retrospect, that some of my problems may have been there.
There’s merit in that earlier comment about checking the spark plugs and wires carefully if misfires are present. I will agree, in retrospect, that some of my problems may have been there.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,048
Likes: 1,478
From: South Florida