Is a Tune Necessary?

Zuko_the_Z

Hey everyone. I am new to the forum. I've been a 370 owner for just over a year. Actually it is the car I bought my wife. I however also treat it as my weekend car (its a roadster). Here is the dilemma I am facing. I started hearing a ticking sound when I first start the car. As it warms it goes away. This was determined to be an exhaust leak. I took it to an exhaust shop and they told me my exhaust manifold is cracked. Well that massively sucks but at least it gives me an excuse to upgrade. Before I ask this question the only modification that has been done is a custom magnaflow exhaust. I called Z1 motorsports as they seem to have the best headers on the market. I found they only connect to a test pipe or high flow cat which I just want to stick with my OEM for now. I then found the DC Sports header which supposedly is a direct swap. Here is my question... I do not want to tune this car. At least not in the near future. If I were to get these DC Sports headers just to replace my cracked manifold. Would I be required to have a tune? What I mean by required is if I opt out of a tune with headers and exhaust would I damage the engine? Thanks for the help! sorry for the long nature of the question. Just wanted to give some background.

JARblue

If you get headers, you're going to need a tune.

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babyzilla

I agree with JARblue. However, I would suggest you continue researching headers and other options. From what I have gathered, you might want to stay away from the DC Sports Headers. Here are a couple of ideas:

1. Consider if you can go catless. Or if you're comfortable with it. Think about state laws. Personally I am not. Something to consider
2. Go with the Z1 Headers and the HFC from the 350z which they sell. There's actually a member selling brand new Z1 headers on the classified section
3. Contact Fast Intention. They have multiple options. Beware of lead times. Great service and products though.
4. Contact Motordyne. They have multiple options as well. I personally don't have experience with them, but I see a lot of members on here have their products and they are well respected.

Good luck.

Zuko_the_Z

I appreciate the feedback. I want to stay emission compliant as my state requires it during yearly inspections. That's why I was trying to stay with shorties. I don't mind spending a little money but Z1 is essentially saying it will close to 4k.... and I'd have to travel two states to get there. Not to mention time off work and all that. Is there nothing else I can do? I'd hate just to spend the money on another exhaust manifold.

babyzilla

You're welcome. Headers aren't cheap and the installs are usually pretty expensive because it's time consuming work...plenty of threads on that. Why would you have to travel? To get the part or to do the install? You can have the part shipped to you and then find a reputable shop near you. Until you call either FI or Motordyne you won't know what your options are.

Also, just another thing to think about...is your plan to fully modify this car or at least add more performance mods? I simply ask because most people don't upgrade their headers as their first mod.

Zuko_the_Z

I wouldn't be doing this if not for the cracked manifold. I don't know anything about tuning. I assume it would be best to go to the source and have them do it. To answer your question I was planning on full bolt ons eventually

babyzilla

Continue your research on tunes on this forum - use the search function. You can find reputable shops to bring your car to OR you will learn about remote tuning options. Either way you will need hardware and a license, and there are multiple tuning options and not all shops support everything (some shops only use specific tuning software). Again, only you can decide what you want after researching. Plenty of members have offered their opinions, data, and information on multiple threads. Everything will make more sense once you start reading about it. Most people will tell you that you will need a tune after intakes and exhaust, so you'd definitely need one after headers. Also, maybe look into getting everything you need first prior to tuning if you want to save money. Usually when you add parts that impact your Air/Fuel ratio it will require a tune.

I'm just going to reiterate to use the search function because someone is eventually going to flame you

Don't worry, this part is fun. Buying the crap and waiting for the install is hard. Once that's done, you can go back to having fun and enjoying the difference you made.

Zuko_the_Z

I really appreciate the info. Thank you!