Tune, or Header

Truth in Ruin · Apr 9, 2015

My next REAL mod will either be a tune, or a header. I'm not sure which one to go with, so I need your opinion. I think both could void warranty, so I'm going to wait awhile before one is purchased.

OBX Header= $275

Tom's Tune= $400

Which one, and why? Thanks guys!

Jburks · Apr 9, 2015

TUNE! especially before a header. if you decided to do the cat back exhaust before tune that's one thing, but if you are going to get a header do the tune first. you dont want to run to lean and cause damage to your engine. A tune will make the driveability of your car way better anyway, regardless of mods. I'd start with a tune and then add other bolt on's as you go.

Jburks · Apr 9, 2015

plus, depending on the tune you go with, you'll be able to flash back to stock which will help with the whole voiding your warranty thing.

Rhewster · Apr 9, 2015

I think the better answer is yes.

Truth in Ruin · Apr 9, 2015

Thanks Jburks; I had no idea that bolting on a header could cause engine damage. So without a tune, an exhaust system would be smarter than a header. However, a $400 dollar tune would be easier to explain to the wife than would a $700 exhaust system.

I really like the idea of having a custom made exhaust, but who knows what it would sound like? I mean, what if I hated the sound? Out of all the exhaust systems I've heard, I prefer Magnaflow by far over anything else. I wish they'd just sell the mufflers- that way we could have the pipes/tubing made custom to save a few bucks, you know?

Truth in Ruin · Apr 9, 2015

Jburks said:
plus, depending on the tune you go with, you'll be able to flash back to stock which will help with the whole voiding your warranty thing.

Good point. So as far as warranty goes, a custom tune would be a 50/50 split, and a header would be a 100% hell no on salvaging warranty, right?

Truth in Ruin · Apr 9, 2015

Rhewster said:
I think the better answer is yes.

Lol, so yes it is. Just do it... Nike? What?

Jburks · Apr 9, 2015

Truth in Ruin said:
Thanks Jburks; I had no idea that bolting on a header could cause engine damage. So without a tune, an exhaust system would be smarter than a header. However, a $400 dollar tune would be easier to explain to the wife than would a $700 exhaust system.

I really like the idea of having a custom made exhaust, but who knows what it would sound like? I mean, what if I hated the sound? Out of all the exhaust systems I've heard, I prefer Magnaflow by far over anything else. I wish they'd just sell the mufflers- that way we could have the pipes/tubing made custom to save a few bucks, you know?

It's not necessarly going to cause engine damage but the potential is there so it would be smarter to do a tune first.

They do sell the magnaflow mufflers seperate. You can get a custom exhaust done with a magnaflow muffler no problem. that's what i have always done in the past. I think a header is a great mod. I plan on doing a muffler with the stock exhaust, but i have a tune already. so start with the tune, then header, then exhaust if you want. or exhaust then header, it doesnt matter.

Jburks · Apr 9, 2015

Truth in Ruin said:
Good point. So as far as warranty goes, a custom tune would be a 50/50 split, and a header would be a 100% hell no on salvaging warranty, right?

well both can void your warranty but a tune that can be flashed back to stock is a lot less noticeable.

Truth in Ruin · Apr 9, 2015

Jburks said:
It's not necessarly going to cause engine damage but the potential is there so it would be smarter to do a tune first.

They do sell the magnaflow mufflers seperate. You can get a custom exhaust done with a magnaflow muffler no problem. that's what i have always done in the past. I think a header is a great mod. I plan on doing a muffler with the stock exhaust, but i have a tune already. so start with the tune, then header, then exhaust if you want. or exhaust then header, it doesnt matter.

Wow, I did not know that! I've searched for Magnaflow mufflers for the MK3 N/A, but came up empty handed. All I could find is the full catback system. I'll keep looking.

Jburks · Apr 9, 2015

if you go to a local muffler shop they'll be able to do it. just tell them you want a magnaflow muffler. it doesnt necessarly need to be designed for our cars since you are doing a custom exhaust, they will make the piping fit to your car.

felixthecat · Apr 9, 2015

Truth in Ruin said:
Wow, I did not know that! I've searched for Magnaflow mufflers for the MK3 N/A, but came up empty handed. All I could find is the full catback system. I'll keep looking.

If your looking for just a magna flow muffler= look in the universal section. They have them in assorted styles & sizes. I'd add a header & tune at the same time. Thats what I did. Make sure your tank is on the empty side & then fill w/ premium or just add premium thru it before you reflash your pcm.

Truth in Ruin · Apr 9, 2015

felixthecat said:
If your looking for just a magna flow muffler= look in the universal section. They have them in assorted styles & sizes. I'd add a header & tune at the same time. Thats what I did. Make sure your tank is on the empty side & then fill w/ premium or just add premium thru it before you reflash your pcm.

Why pick one over the other, just do both. I like your thinking Felix. If it were up to me alone, I would get both at the same time

I've been running 91 octane only. I'm a bit old school; when I saw that the compression ratio was at 12.1, I've been too afraid to put anything other than premium in it.

jr schultz · Apr 9, 2015

The only way to know how your car will behave after a header install is to have a wideband 02 sensor or put the car on the dyno. You NEED to know what your air/fuel ratio is part throttle and wot after the header install. In my opinion this is one of those mods that should have a proper tune to go along with it. I can't speak freely about the Focus, because I am new to this platform. I know the Nissan VQ engine from my previous Maxima ran way rich after my header install. Most cars will be changed some how. They will either run rich or lean with a header install. The only way I wouldn't get a tune is if you find out your air/fuel ratio is safe after the header install, but I doubt that will be the case. Even if your air/fuel ratio is safe you will still benefit by a custom tune to dial it in. I don't have a custom tune yet, but when I do I'm going with Tom's tune. He does free re-tunes as you keep modding as long as you stay NA.

Jburks · Apr 9, 2015

the mk3 focus already has a wideband 02 sensor from the factory. the SCT x4 has digital gauges so you can see your a/f ratio too. Good info^^

Rhewster · Apr 9, 2015

Truth in Ruin said:
Lol, so yes it is. Just do it... Nike? What?

ive always been a "go big or go home" type of guy.

since you know you want to do both just might as well wait a little long and do them both at the same time. just just my thoughts

jr schultz · Apr 9, 2015

Jburks said:
the mk3 focus already has a wideband 02 sensor from the factory. the SCT x4 has digital gauges so you can see your a/f ratio too. Good info^^

Well, that is awesome to hear. Thanks for the info!

Tune, or Header

Truth in Ruin

Jburks

Jburks

Rhewster

Truth in Ruin

Truth in Ruin

Truth in Ruin

Jburks

Jburks

Truth in Ruin

Jburks

felixthecat

Truth in Ruin

jr schultz

Jburks

Rhewster

jr schultz

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