Tune for LT Headers

**GottaHaveLS1** · 04-03-2007, 09:43 AM

I know this question has been done to death but I'm gonna make a poll for it. Please leave any comments or advice as well.

**ss~zoso~ss** · 04-03-2007, 09:49 AM

cant wait to see the results

**GottaHaveLS1** · 04-03-2007, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by ss~zoso~ss

cant wait to see the results

Me 2 but i have a feeling 1/2 of the knowledgeable people wont look at it cuz it's been asked like 500 times lol. I also want to mention that both of my friends that had 5.0 mustangs with LT's and off road h pipe never got their shit dyno tuned and they ran fine

**98formy** · 04-03-2007, 11:17 AM

I actually lost 7 hp after LT install. I had it dynoed before it was 352/368. On the dyno for the first run it showed the decrease, then after tune it ran better and im now at 364/369.

**z28misfit** · 04-03-2007, 11:26 AM

If you want every possible hp gain out of the the LT's then I can see going with a tune. I don't think you'll be able to feel a difference if you do or don't get it tuned. It makes me laugh , the people that say they felt a difference in getting it tuned after the headers were installed, cause you know they're the same people that say they noticed a difference after installing a K&N filter.

What does a tune get you overall, maybe 20hp or so. I dont think the average person can notice a 20hp gain. Just my feeling though.

**98formy** · 04-03-2007, 11:40 AM

I didn't feel a difference after the install, but it did run a little rough afterwards. I was due for a tune anyways beause of all the other mods I did before. I was actually surprised about the decrease on that first run.

**GottaHaveLS1** · 04-03-2007, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by z28misfit

If you want every possible hp gain out of the the LT's then I can see going with a tune. I don't think you'll be able to feel a difference if you do or don't get it tuned. It makes me laugh , the people that say they felt a difference in getting it tuned after the headers were installed, cause you know they're the same people that say they noticed a difference after installing a K&N filter.

What does a tune get you overall, maybe 20hp or so. I dont think the average person can notice a 20hp gain. Just my feeling though.

So you're telling me that installing Lt's and ory pipe will not make any "seat of the pants" difference?

**Wesman** · 04-03-2007, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by z28misfit

If you want every possible hp gain out of the the LT's then I can see going with a tune. I don't think you'll be able to feel a difference if you do or don't get it tuned. It makes me laugh , the people that say they felt a difference in getting it tuned after the headers were installed, cause you know they're the same people that say they noticed a difference after installing a K&N filter.

What does a tune get you overall, maybe 20hp or so. I dont think the average person can notice a 20hp gain. Just my feeling though.

A 20HP difference is very noticeable if you drive car before and after the install.

Getting a tune definitely makes a difference. Do you know anything about the stock ECU parameters?? They can adjust everything from the long term fuel trims to the VE tables to make the car run smoother, have a better powerband, make more power and torque, and be more efficient for better fuel economy. If you can't notice a difference after that, then there's something wrong with you.

**z28misfit** · 04-03-2007, 11:57 AM

Just think about it, they say LT's are good for probably 20hp as well. So tune plus headers you might notice a difference. I think if you just do headers only, then probably not a big noticeable difference. Everyone will tell you they noticed a difference by installing LT's. I'm not saying they wont help out, they are a very good first performance mod. Just don't expect to be thrown back into your seat by installing a set of them.

**98formy** · 04-03-2007, 11:58 AM

It seems to have more of a spring in its step so to speak, but a "seat of the pants" difference, no. Going from 185hp to over 400hp in my truck, thats a "seat of the pants" difference in my book.

**z28misfit** · 04-03-2007, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Wesman

A 20HP difference is very noticeable if you drive car before and after the install.

Getting a tune definitely makes a difference. Do you know anything about the stock ECU parameters?? They can adjust everything from the long term fuel trims to the VE tables to make the car run smoother, have a better powerband, make more power and torque, and be more efficient for better fuel economy. If you can't notice a difference after that, then there's something wrong with you.

I got my car tuned after I did my cam, and all my other bolt on crap and can tell you that my car didn't feel any faster after it was tuned then before I got it done.

**0rion** · 04-03-2007, 11:32 PM

I have all the stuff and tune my own car so I tune after every mod. I could definitely tell a difference after the header install. Not sure pre and post tune because as soon as the headers were on I started logging and adjusted my tune. Never really drove it around untuned.
I look at a tune for headers like this. If the headers are the last mod you'll do this year then get it tuned. If you plan on other mods within the next month or two then hold off until everything is done and get it tuned. Don't tune for headers then a month later put on a different intake and ported tb because you should really get tuned after those too so just wait and get it all tuned at once. If you put on headers and get a tune and don't feel the difference them someone didn't do something right. Headers are one of the mods that you can definitely feel. TB coolant bypass or free ram air not so much, but headers you can feel.

**GottaHaveLS1** · 04-04-2007, 09:22 AM

I just hope everyone can understand my situation on this. Say I buy the pacesetter headers and ory for $500 plus shipping. then I get 02 sims for $90, plus other costs for gaskets and 02 extentions. That's going to add up close to $700 for non-stainless steel headers that I would have to install with my dad. If the car doesn't run so well afterwards and I don't feel a little more punch, then i wasted $700. I don't want to get it tuned for just one mod and I really don't have the money to buy anything else. What do you guys suggest?

**98formy** · 04-04-2007, 09:38 AM

You're not wasting your money on headers. They are a good improvement, besides, they sound really good.

**ss~zoso~ss** · 04-04-2007, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by GottaHaveLS1

I just hope everyone can understand my situation on this. Say I buy the pacesetter headers and ory for $500 plus shipping. then I get 02 sims for $90, plus other costs for gaskets and 02 extentions. That's going to add up close to $700 for non-stainless steel headers that I would have to install with my dad. If the car doesn't run so well afterwards and I don't feel a little more punch, then i wasted $700. I don't want to get it tuned for just one mod and I really don't have the money to buy anything else. What do you guys suggest?

i'm with stupid

**z28misfit** · 04-04-2007, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by GottaHaveLS1

I just hope everyone can understand my situation on this. Say I buy the pacesetter headers and ory for $500 plus shipping. then I get 02 sims for $90, plus other costs for gaskets and 02 extentions. That's going to add up close to $700 for non-stainless steel headers that I would have to install with my dad. If the car doesn't run so well afterwards and I don't feel a little more punch, then i wasted $700. I don't want to get it tuned for just one mod and I really don't have the money to buy anything else. What do you guys suggest?

You got a start somewhere, at least your doing headers and not putting on just an air lid and calling it a day. Headers are always worth the money in the long run for any other mod you throw at it. But I do agree with one of the guys above. Don't tune it until you have the all the mods done you want on the car for this year or season. Getting it tuned after every mod is just gonna get exspensive.

**GottaHaveLS1** · 04-04-2007, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by z28misfit

You got a start somewhere, at least your doing headers and not putting on just an air lid and calling it a day. Headers are always worth the money in the long run for any other mod you throw at it. But I do agree with one of the guys above. Don't tune it until you have the all the mods done you want on the car for this year or season. Getting it tuned after every mod is just gonna get exspensive.

I know what you mean, but with my college tuition to pay and with my parent's financial situation not looking so good, this would probably be my only mod for the year. and i'm not even sure i can get them, gotta work a lot first. I'd really like to get the ls6 intake and p&p the stock TB along with the headers and then tune it, but theres no way i could afford it all at once. just gonna have to play it by ear....

**GottaHaveLS1** · 04-04-2007, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by ss~zoso~ss

i'm with stupid

hahaha lol. yup we're in the same boat. I'm transferring to UConn next year, we'll have to chill sometime. Dude, if you want, maybe over the summer or whatever, we could both help each other out with these installs. More ppl working on it the better, i would think.

**ss~zoso~ss** · 04-04-2007, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by GottaHaveLS1

I know what you mean, but with my college tuition to pay and with my parent's financial situation not looking so good, this would probably be my only mod for the year. and i'm not even sure i can get them, gotta work a lot first. I'd really like to get the ls6 intake and p&p the stock TB along with the headers and then tune it, but theres no way i could afford it all at once. just gonna have to play it by ear....

wow man, we really in the same boat, except the tuition part, Air Force is picking up that tab

and i'm not sure yet if i'll be able to afford the headers

**GottaHaveLS1** · 04-04-2007, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by ss~zoso~ss

wow man, we really in the same boat, except the tuition part, Air Force is picking up that tab

and i'm not sure yet if i'll be able to afford the headers

My parents said they'd help me if i work a shitload in the summer, which i want to do anyways. I thought about going into the miliatary to save $, but i want to enjoy my life after college and not have to worry about risking my life anywhere lol.
I noticed in another thread you wanted a catted y. I keep switching my mind but I think in CT we can pass the emissions with 02 sims (hopefully). I hope it just doesn't sound raspy or anything. Saving $200 from buying cats will make it much easier to buy the headers.