In another 2 months I will be getting Cattman headers and the ypipe. Now I was reading up on the sticky in the 5th gen section and it was suggested that an A/F controller is needed b/c after headers are installed the car will be running rich. An A/F controller is supposed to fix that by maintaining as close to OE specs as possible.

My mechanic who specializes in Maximas and has done many headers installs in the past told me an A/F controller is not necessary and the car should not be running rich after the headers are put on. From what I gather, its best to do a few pulls on the dyno to determine if the car is running rich or not. Why would one car would need a tune and another one not need a tune (if they both have the same mods: headers/ypipe)?

 

Get an AFR readout and see if it is necessary for your car.

It's not necessary, but if you want to get a little bit more power, then yes, it's an option.

 

I didnt know the A/F controller adds power...I thought it just regulated and maintained the proper mixture that would yield in normal fuel consumption

 

I does not add power in and of itself, using it to tune properly adds power. Without an A/F controller, you cannot tune.

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=492413
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=446133

 

thanks for the links...I just thought of something though. My engine only has 2300 miles on it. Would adding heavy mods like the headers be a safe move this early on?

 

you'll be fine. and get an afc!

 

its not needed, but w/ an afc, you can tune the af and get more power out of it.

i have hotshot headers w/out a tune at the moment. runs fine, pulls hard. but i hear tune will make it feel like you just put on another set of headers..

 

its not needed but recommended to get some additional ponies.

I would love to see a log of before and after header+y-pipe install. My friend with a 5.5 has a headers,y,b, and I've seen some very large black clouds coming out of his tail pipe on many occasions.

 

Moved.


.

 

sorry about that...I figured All Motor was the proper place for it