Is a tune necessary with hi flow cats and a cold air intake? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

2012OrangeVert · 09-01-2016, 11:10 PM

I have a L99 and have put an LS3 catback with GMPP axle-back on it. Now I am adding a CAI cold air intake. I know I am good without a tune there. But if I add high flow cats to the mix, will I then need a tune? I know a tune would make it all better, but I have a lot of warranty left. Just contemplating things. I may even buy a handheld. But for now want to just consider the high flow cats as a possible stopping point until the extended warranty is up. Thanks for your help and input in advance!

JCunningham · 09-01-2016, 11:20 PM

hi flow cats will void the warranty any way. with out a tune you will get a check engine light.

rontammy0 · 09-02-2016, 12:07 AM

I ran solo hi flow cats....cai and shorty headers for almost 2 years. No cel....I think the solos caused a cel on the 13 and newer models. You should be good with a 2012 I think. I don't think your warranty is void with hi flows.

JCunningham · 09-02-2016, 12:30 AM

anything forward of the cat back voids the warranty. so cats or headers voids it.

Top Off · 09-02-2016, 08:02 AM

Depending on the high flow cats it should not throw a CEL. Simply adding even long tube headers does not automatically void the warranty either. Can the dealership or GM choose to void your warranty yes, but if you have the money for an attorney and want to fight it there are recourses they can take. Don't get me wrong, I fully believe if you are willing to play, you should be willing to pay.

frankwjr · 09-02-2016, 09:01 AM

lol...magnuson..lol...

anyway everybody knows that the stock cats are the SOLE restriction in the stock exhausts, right? Get yourself some high flow catted mid pipes with the o2 bungs and swap out the stock cats...once you do it the process is so freakin easy its not funny.

Now get in touch with dynosteve(I do not get any $$ for this!) and he will create a tune for you..

So a tune plus high flow cat equals hmmm minimum 50 HP? Everybody chime in here..any other mods just keep pushing the RWHP on up...

Free benefit is your exhaust note will get all nasty raspy with decel pops like crazy I love it but to each his own.

Now the beauty of it is when emissions comes around either it will pass like it is if your state does not do a visual...if they do swap stock cats back in, put stock tune back on pass emissions and swap back

I am in MD using JBA shortys with ARH high flow cats and tune from Steve, this car is a freakin animal now, better gas mileage and overall the engine just feels BIGGER if you get my meaning

F. Weller

P.S. 5th gear going up the mountain 2 peeps in car looked down and 114!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! holy freakin mackerel watch out!!!!

ForcFed93 · 09-02-2016, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCunningham

anything forward of the cat back voids the warranty. so cats or headers voids it.

False, they have to prove that the aftermarket part caused the failure.

A tune would be easy to prove as you're changing the operating parameters of the whole system. Cats do nothing except increase flow.

Sure it would void the emissions warranty, but not the powertrain or bumper to bumper.

I have a 2014 and have SOLO's with the big daddy angled extenders and no CEL ever.

2012OrangeVert · 09-02-2016, 11:18 AM

Ok getting some good info here. Thanks. I did not care about my exhaust warranty. Stock exhaust is gone anyway. So would the hi flow cats and cold air intake, REQUIRE a tune? I know it would benefit, that is not a question.

1KillerSS · 09-02-2016, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2012OrangeVert

I have a L99 and have put an LS3 catback with GMPP axle-back on it. Now I am adding a CAI cold air intake. I know I am good without a tune there. But if I add high flow cats to the mix, will I then need a tune? I know a tune would make it all better, but I have a lot of warranty left. Just contemplating things. I may even buy a handheld. But for now want to just consider the high flow cats as a possible stopping point until the extended warranty is up. Thanks for your help and input in advance!

Necessary? No. Optimum, yes. If you have to take the car in for warranty work, you can always put your old parts back on. Where as, if the car was tuned, even if you return it to stock, they can still tell it was tuned.

Yes they have to prove the failure caused by the mod, and it may be a PITA to get it sorted. But it usually only involves the district manager of GM.

It cracks me up when people talk of attorneys needed to get it worked out.

Dmpsix · 09-02-2016, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcFed93

False, they have to prove that the aftermarket part caused the failure.

A tune would be easy to prove as you're changing the operating parameters of the whole system. Cats do nothing except increase flow.

Sure it would void the emissions warranty, but not the powertrain or bumper to bumper.

I have a 2014 and have SOLO's with the big daddy angled extenders and no CEL ever.

Further false, a local member here had his ENTIRE WARRANTY VOIDED because of a catch can install, GM refused to fix / replace his engine's issue due to the catch can. Oil pump ended up being the culprit, which GM couldn't prove.

They didn't care, GM turned around and said "Hey it's aftermarket, we're not responsible for your engine anymore."

JCunningham · 09-02-2016, 01:03 PM

gm has stated befor that a cat back is fine but you cant replace the cats unless they are direct replacements. GM will void the warranty. removing the factory cats is illegal. So you can go to court and prove that the cats didnt cause the problem but when the judge hears that you illegally modified your emissions system the judge will dismiss the case.

pyroguy · 09-02-2016, 01:57 PM

No high flow cats do not require a tune. As you are well aware, they will be optimized with a tune.

As a personal opinion, get as much money back off of the extended warranty and void the hell out of any possible factory warranty you might have left, which can't be much at this point. Extended warranties are a rip off and these cars are proven to be very stout, well made cars.

CreeperRS · 09-02-2016, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmpsix

Further false, a local member here had his ENTIRE WARRANTY VOIDED because of a catch can install, GM refused to fix / replace his engine's issue due to the catch can. Oil pump ended up being the culprit, which GM couldn't prove.

They didn't care, GM turned around and said "Hey it's aftermarket, we're not responsible for your engine anymore."

If you're dumb enough to show up at the dealership with a modded car, don't be surprised when they void your warranty! If you do, then you deserve to have your warranty voided! I was told, that if I have the Z/28 intake installed on my car here in California, then my warranty will be voided. Guess what intake the dealership sees when I show up for service? OEM, that's right. My warranty is still intact.

2012OrangeVert · 09-02-2016, 03:51 PM

Ok. Sounds like I can do the cats. But. Return to the stock cats for any warranty work. No problema. What about if I just go in for an oil change? I bought it GM Certified, and they give me 2 years of free oil changes.

09-01-2016, 11:10 PM	#1
2012OrangeVert Drives: 2012 Orange 2SS/RS Convertible Join Date: May 2016 Location: Saint Louis, Mo. Posts: 227 View My Garage	Is a tune necessary with hi flow cats and a cold air intake? I have a L99 and have put an LS3 catback with GMPP axle-back on it. Now I am adding a CAI cold air intake. I know I am good without a tune there. But if I add high flow cats to the mix, will I then need a tune? I know a tune would make it all better, but I have a lot of warranty left. Just contemplating things. I may even buy a handheld. But for now want to just consider the high flow cats as a possible stopping point until the extended warranty is up. Thanks for your help and input in advance!

09-01-2016, 11:20 PM	#2
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	hi flow cats will void the warranty any way. with out a tune you will get a check engine light. __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

09-02-2016, 12:30 AM	#4
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	anything forward of the cat back voids the warranty. so cats or headers voids it. __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

09-02-2016, 09:01 AM	#6
frankwjr Drives: 2010 SS 2SS M6 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Smithsburg, Md. Posts: 2,445	lol...magnuson..lol... anyway everybody knows that the stock cats are the SOLE restriction in the stock exhausts, right? Get yourself some high flow catted mid pipes with the o2 bungs and swap out the stock cats...once you do it the process is so freakin easy its not funny. Now get in touch with dynosteve(I do not get any $$ for this!) and he will create a tune for you.. So a tune plus high flow cat equals hmmm minimum 50 HP? Everybody chime in here..any other mods just keep pushing the RWHP on up... Free benefit is your exhaust note will get all nasty raspy with decel pops like crazy I love it but to each his own. Now the beauty of it is when emissions comes around either it will pass like it is if your state does not do a visual...if they do swap stock cats back in, put stock tune back on pass emissions and swap back I am in MD using JBA shortys with ARH high flow cats and tune from Steve, this car is a freakin animal now, better gas mileage and overall the engine just feels BIGGER if you get my meaning F. Weller P.S. 5th gear going up the mountain 2 peeps in car looked down and 114!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! holy freakin mackerel watch out!!!! __________________ 2010 SS 2SS M6 - Tune by RDP dynoSteve!(Woot) - Daily Driver - *150K!* - All work by me...

09-02-2016, 01:03 PM	#11
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	gm has stated befor that a cat back is fine but you cant replace the cats unless they are direct replacements. GM will void the warranty. removing the factory cats is illegal. So you can go to court and prove that the cats didnt cause the problem but when the judge hears that you illegally modified your emissions system the judge will dismiss the case. __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

09-02-2016, 12:07 AM	#3
rontammy0 Account Suspended Drives: 2011 2SS/ RS INFERNO ORANGE L99 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Alliston Ontario Canada Posts: 9,057 View My Garage	I ran solo hi flow cats....cai and shorty headers for almost 2 years. No cel....I think the solos caused a cel on the 13 and newer models. You should be good with a 2012 I think. I don't think your warranty is void with hi flows.

09-02-2016, 08:02 AM	#5
Top Off Drives: 2012 LS3 1SS/RS Vert Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Hamburg Posts: 371	Depending on the high flow cats it should not throw a CEL. Simply adding even long tube headers does not automatically void the warranty either. Can the dealership or GM choose to void your warranty yes, but if you have the money for an attorney and want to fight it there are recourses they can take. Don't get me wrong, I fully believe if you are willing to play, you should be willing to pay.

09-02-2016, 11:18 AM	#8
2012OrangeVert Drives: 2012 Orange 2SS/RS Convertible Join Date: May 2016 Location: Saint Louis, Mo. Posts: 227 View My Garage	Ok getting some good info here. Thanks. I did not care about my exhaust warranty. Stock exhaust is gone anyway. So would the hi flow cats and cold air intake, REQUIRE a tune? I know it would benefit, that is not a question.

09-02-2016, 01:57 PM	#12
pyroguy Started#gottalovethatblue Drives: ABM #831 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: TN Posts: 6,917 View My Garage	No high flow cats do not require a tune. As you are well aware, they will be optimized with a tune. As a personal opinion, get as much money back off of the extended warranty and void the hell out of any possible factory warranty you might have left, which can't be much at this point. Extended warranties are a rip off and these cars are proven to be very stout, well made cars. __________________ '10 Camaro 2SS/RS \| Aqua Blue #831 of 3,903 \| Silver Stripes Check out my build thread

09-02-2016, 03:51 PM	#14
2012OrangeVert Drives: 2012 Orange 2SS/RS Convertible Join Date: May 2016 Location: Saint Louis, Mo. Posts: 227 View My Garage	Ok. Sounds like I can do the cats. But. Return to the stock cats for any warranty work. No problema. What about if I just go in for an oil change? I bought it GM Certified, and they give me 2 years of free oil changes.