Noobish exhaust/CAI question - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

NorseLegend · 03-04-2013, 09:19 PM

So, this might be a bit noobish, but here's to giving it a shot.

I've looked around on several forums, and I've read a few different answers.

If I replace the exhaust and CAI, am I going to need an ECU tune? I've read in some places that it adjusts after a little while driving, but in others that it could run lean.

I know that when you add a large amount of power you will, but will you really be that affected by 8-15 freed up horses?

I'm hoping that the former happens, or that I at least am able to avoid the latter, but will can anyone confirm/debunk these?

Turdinator · 03-04-2013, 09:37 PM

There is no definite answer to whether you "need" a tune. It will certainly be better with a tune, more optimised but what combination of CAI and exhaust you use will determin whether you "need" a tune.

NorseLegend · 03-04-2013, 09:47 PM

Alright! Thank you! Torn between Greddy exhaust/intake and Perrin exhaust/intake.

FR-S Matt · 03-04-2013, 09:48 PM

You'll get gains, but your engine won't run at its potential. You can even increase your MPG while increasing power when tuned properly with bolt ons. You aren't forced to do a tune, but I recommend it if you are doing header+exhaust+CAI. If you are already putting that much money into bolt ons, you can get a tune.

NorseLegend · 03-04-2013, 09:48 PM

I refer you to the picture in my prior comment! Thank you!

ahausheer · 03-04-2013, 09:49 PM

Some poorer quality intakes (and even some expensive ones) will mess up the MAF readings causing the car to run rich or lean, and likely throw a check engine light. When you select your intake make sure to purchase it from a company that supplies air/fuel ratio charts or their own adjustment tune.

The ECU can learn using other inputs but to what end I do not know. The air-fuel ratio is very important especially for long term engine health.

FR-S Matt · 03-04-2013, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorseLegend

Alright! Thank you! Torn between Greddy exhaust/intake and Perrin exhaust/intake.

Perrin/Motiv/Nameless/JDL/FT86 Speedfactory are high quality companies for exhausts. I'd stick with them before going to the others.

NorseLegend · 03-04-2013, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FR-S Matt

Perrin/Motiv/Nameless/JDL/FT86 Speedfactory are high quality companies for exhausts. I'd stick with them before going to the others.

Alright, thanks for the heads up. Perrin is already at the top of my list!

reeves · 03-04-2013, 10:05 PM

If you aren't getting a tune, do yourself a favor and invest in at least monitoring the AFR since you won't know how rich/lean the engine may run..

If you have an Android phone, it's dirt cheap to do this with an [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008U1MOM8/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"]ELM327 Bluetooth OBDII connector[/ame]. Then download the Torque Pro app ([ame]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque&hl=en[/ame]) to your phone, and you can see what the AFR readings are.

NorseLegend · 03-04-2013, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reeves

If you aren't getting a tune, do yourself a favor and invest in at least monitoring the AFR since you won't know how rich/lean the engine may run..

If you have an Android phone, it's dirt cheap to do this with an ELM327 Bluetooth OBDII connector. Then download the Torque Pro app (https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...l.torque&hl=en) to your phone, and you can see what the AFR readings are.

I will probably end up getting a tune, and sadly I don't have a smartphone at all! I have an "ancient" flip phone! But thanks for the handy hint! I will keep that in mind!

Zach3794 · 03-04-2013, 10:16 PM

As stated above, bolt ons won't be able to reach their full potential without a tune accompanying them. Personally, I don't even consider the bolt-ons like that until I can get a tune the same exact day they're all installed. Which is why this Saturday my FR-S is getting retuned directly after installing my intake and exhaust setup ;D

boredom.is.me · 03-04-2013, 10:16 PM

That picture made my day.

NorseLegend · 03-04-2013, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zach3794

As stated above, bolt ons won't be able to reach their full potential without a tune accompanying them. Personally, I don't even consider the bolt-ons like that until I can get a tune the same exact day they're all installed. Which is why this Saturday my FR-S is getting retuned directly after installing my intake and exhaust setup ;D

Definitely would be my plans

what exhaust/intake did you get?

Quote:

Originally Posted by boredom.is.me

That picture made my day.

Great!

Zach3794 · 03-05-2013, 02:44 AM

[QUOTE=NorseLegend;772285]Definitely would be my plans

what exhaust/intake did you get?

For intake, the Perrin Inlet Hose and WORKS Drop in filter. *oiled*

For exhaust, Berk Catted Front Pipe and Invidia N1 Catback with Titanium Tips.

I haven't found a header solution I like but there is a very good shop down here called RPM (Richard's Performance Muffler) that I will most likely pay to fabricate me a high quality header that meets my requirements. I'll probably have it designed to replace the factory overpipe as well since some of the better header options seem to be going that route.

03-04-2013, 09:19 PM	#1
NorseLegend A Very Annoying Person Join Date: Feb 2013 Drives: Subaru Impreza :( Hopefully BRZ Location: VA Posts: 285 Thanks: 234 Thanked 83 Times in 68 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Noobish exhaust/CAI question So, this might be a bit noobish, but here's to giving it a shot. I've looked around on several forums, and I've read a few different answers. If I replace the exhaust and CAI, am I going to need an ECU tune? I've read in some places that it adjusts after a little while driving, but in others that it could run lean. I know that when you add a large amount of power you will, but will you really be that affected by 8-15 freed up horses? I'm hoping that the former happens, or that I at least am able to avoid the latter, but will can anyone confirm/debunk these?

03-04-2013, 09:49 PM	#6
ahausheer Re-member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: Toyota camry Location: S. Cali Posts: 1,001 Thanks: 98 Thanked 292 Times in 152 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Some poorer quality intakes (and even some expensive ones) will mess up the MAF readings causing the car to run rich or lean, and likely throw a check engine light. When you select your intake make sure to purchase it from a company that supplies air/fuel ratio charts or their own adjustment tune. The ECU can learn using other inputs but to what end I do not know. The air-fuel ratio is very important especially for long term engine health. __________________ Nothing decays like progress, and nothing preserves like neglect.

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03-04-2013, 09:47 PM	#3
NorseLegend A Very Annoying Person Join Date: Feb 2013 Drives: Subaru Impreza :( Hopefully BRZ Location: VA Posts: 285 Thanks: 234 Thanked 83 Times in 68 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Alright! Thank you! Torn between Greddy exhaust/intake and Perrin exhaust/intake.

03-04-2013, 09:48 PM	#5
NorseLegend A Very Annoying Person Join Date: Feb 2013 Drives: Subaru Impreza :( Hopefully BRZ Location: VA Posts: 285 Thanks: 234 Thanked 83 Times in 68 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I refer you to the picture in my prior comment! Thank you!

03-04-2013, 10:05 PM	#9
reeves Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: BRZ Location: ATL, GA Posts: 1,021 Thanks: 289 Thanked 397 Times in 265 Posts Mentioned: 13 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If you aren't getting a tune, do yourself a favor and invest in at least monitoring the AFR since you won't know how rich/lean the engine may run.. If you have an Android phone, it's dirt cheap to do this with an [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008U1MOM8/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"]ELM327 Bluetooth OBDII connector[/ame]. Then download the Torque Pro app ([ame]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque&hl=en[/ame]) to your phone, and you can see what the AFR readings are.

03-04-2013, 10:16 PM	#11
Zach3794 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S, Raven, Manual Location: Vista, CA Posts: 396 Thanks: 81 Thanked 143 Times in 101 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	As stated above, bolt ons won't be able to reach their full potential without a tune accompanying them. Personally, I don't even consider the bolt-ons like that until I can get a tune the same exact day they're all installed. Which is why this Saturday my FR-S is getting retuned directly after installing my intake and exhaust setup ;D

03-05-2013, 02:44 AM	#14
Zach3794 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S, Raven, Manual Location: Vista, CA Posts: 396 Thanks: 81 Thanked 143 Times in 101 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	[QUOTE=NorseLegend;772285]Definitely would be my plans what exhaust/intake did you get? For intake, the Perrin Inlet Hose and WORKS Drop in filter. oiled For exhaust, Berk Catted Front Pipe and Invidia N1 Catback with Titanium Tips. I haven't found a header solution I like but there is a very good shop down here called RPM (Richard's Performance Muffler) that I will most likely pay to fabricate me a high quality header that meets my requirements. I'll probably have it designed to replace the factory overpipe as well since some of the better header options seem to be going that route.

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