Pondering... Tune & stillen headers...
 

I'm pondering adding the stillen headers and tuning in the very near future. For those of you who have already done so, does the butt dyno appreciate the difference or is it only a minor power and sound improvement? Also did you wrap your headers or not? Looking for feedback to see if it's worth dropping the $1500...

Tune - Yes
Stillen headers - No

I am not 100% up on your build, but do you have HFC yet? Depending on how your tune from factory is you might have good gains or minor but it will help smooth the engine out a good bid. One thing I noticed after I got my tune is the low end feels a bit more "rev happy," as it gets up faster than before.

I have Nismo CAIs, Berk HFCs, Nismo CBE, & Stillen underdrive pulley.

I would think a tune would be the better investment for what you have, you might not gain much from it but it will smooth the car out.

I am considering both at the same time. Are you against the headers for a specific reason?

Shorty headers have shown no to little gains, the stock design flows very well and with HFC & exhaust you have probably opened the exhaust up all the way. Headers might give you a little more top end HP but those who did the stillen headers also lost torque.

tune for sure, you will see noticeable gains with your setup if the tuner is good. Headers people claim they dont do much at all, but I don't know if thats fact or just people repeating the same thing they read over and over. has anyone done a back to back dyno to prove that they are worthless?

Headers give almost nothing. You're better off saving the $500 and putting it toward something else.

Yes, check out RCZ & Semtex's journal threads, they each have done nice write ups on the Stillen headers.
I am not saying they are bad headers, but this car really does not need that modification yet.

So just the accessport and I'm good huh... Do the headers change the tone or volume of the overall exhaust note?

So just the accessport and I'm good huh... Do the headers change the tone or volume of the overall Engine/exhaust sound?

Well, if you do decide to get the accessport, AAM will give you a custom map set to what you already have installed. But, I believe you can download an update if you decide to add more, like headers or a S/C. So, if I'd suggest doing the cobb AP, seeing how you like it and if you're not satisfied, you can always add more later and update the tune. Just my 2 cents.

As for the tone with headers, you can hear a slight difference topend.

Thanks all for all responses. I think i'll contact AAM today for a little overnight package!

I added the headers and a NST pulley and went from 303 to 310 rwhp. SAE.
it made 301 with the berk cats, stillen CBE stillen intake and my own cobb map.
Car was a lot louder. It did lose some hp between 5000 to 6400 rpm ( lost about 4 to 5 and some torque) but it made almost 9 to 10 more at 7500 to 7600 rpm. It also made more power to 8100 rpm.

Car was louder after tuning or the bolt ons?

I really hope headers are worth it with a supercharger. I don't think I'd run them on an NA car unless you are dying to shave a few pounds off the front end and maybe make a few extra ponies.

Liquid, we'll find out soon. I am really hoping that too and it makes sense that it would.

It only makes sense. Hurry up :tup:

I'll be tuned tomorrow, can't wait!

Well I tuned my car today via AAM and the COBB AccessPort. Simply put this is the best addition I could have made at the present time. The car has all of the low end and midrange torque back and then some... Sounds better, consistent power thru the entire band and pulls great. The butt dyno is more than pleased. Planning some dyno time in the near future. I'm not too concerned with numbers, as I know the tune made a big difference. I was offered sone free dyno time, so why not take them up on the offer...