Aftermarket heads and ECM

Stdyhand · January 30th, 2012, 09:41 PM

I am considering getting a set of aftermarket heads now. My question is, will I have to reprogram the ECM or get it dyno tuned now?

I know I read somwhere that changing the cam will often result in needing a tune but what if I change just the heads for now, maybe the intake also, but keep the stock cam until I can afford the dyno tune also? I can finally afford a good set of heads, but don't think I can squeeze in a dyno tune also.

I could be wrong, but I was thinking the heads wouldn't affect the ECM. They will simply pull in more air but as long as I am using the same cam, MAF sensor, and stock injectors the ECM will still function the same.

In the future I will add a cam, larger injectors, MAF, etc. and get it tuned but for now I would like to pick up some extra horses without a lot of hassle.

ryanw · January 30th, 2012, 09:54 PM

You should be fine with out a tune, you wont see every bit of hp with out a tune, but in my opinion you should upgrade your fuel pump and injectors to 24lb with a calibrated maff, with the heads

The reason i say bigger injectors, is if your pulling in more air then you need more fuel, and the stock pump, sucks

Super 88 · January 31st, 2012, 09:12 AM

also if it aint done already, bump up the timing a few degrees. im running 21 degrees total advance, but it varies for each build

69fastback · January 31st, 2012, 09:15 AM

21* total timing? That's not very much. That's less than stock.

Super 88 · January 31st, 2012, 09:24 AM

oops, meant mechanical. sorry just woke up, either way, advancing should help some

ALEXLOPEZ62188 · January 31st, 2012, 01:12 PM

You could buy the heads, the buy the MAF, Fuel pump, injectors etc....... and install everything all at once. That's what A lot of us here do

96paxtonstang · January 31st, 2012, 02:55 PM

I'm running the entire trick flow street burner kit on my 92 with 30#hr injectors and a calibrated C&L and the only issue I have is a surge on hot starts which clears up pretty fast. That said a tune is still the optimal way to go.

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

ryanw · January 31st, 2012, 03:16 PM

Dont buy c&l maffs, there no good

96paxtonstang · January 31st, 2012, 03:52 PM

This one works good for me but when it gets tuned its getting a PRO-M but myself and others in my area have used them and had no issues. While I agree they are not the best I have still yet to have an issue with it.

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

ryanw · January 31st, 2012, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by 96paxtonstang

This one works good for me but when it gets tuned its getting a PRO-M but myself and others in my area have used them and had no issues. While I agree they are not the best I have still yet to have an issue with it.

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

Do you like the novi 2000 ? Thats the one i want, any neg about it ?

96paxtonstang · January 31st, 2012, 05:07 PM

The novi 2000 was on my 96 gt. it wasn't a bad kit but the instructions were terrible. A lot of the parts were labeled wrong and stuff like that otherwise a great kit. When I go FI on my fox it will prob be a vortech V3 (unless they make a carb legal turbo kit by then) I like the idea of not having to tap my oil pan.

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

ryanw · January 31st, 2012, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by 96paxtonstang

The novi 2000 was on my 96 gt. it wasn't a bad kit but the instructions were terrible. A lot of the parts were labeled wrong and stuff like that otherwise a great kit. When I go FI on my fox it will prob be a vortech V3 (unless they make a carb legal turbo kit by then) I like the idea of not having to tap my oil pan.

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

Why v3, isnt that a self contained smaller supercharger that cant run as much boost? Seems like a down grade.....

Oh wait..are you saying that your getting another supercharger for your foxbody ? But the novi is on your 96 right ? Okay that makes sense, i thought you were saying that you were going to remove the novi and put on the v3......

96paxtonstang · January 31st, 2012, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by ryanw

Why v3, isnt that a self contained smaller supercharger that cant run as much boost? Seems like a down grade.....

Oh wait..are you saying that your getting another supercharger for your foxbody ? But the novi is on your 96 right ? Okay that makes sense, i thought you were saying that you were going to remove the novi and put on the v3......

Yeah the novi 2000 is on my 96 lol. Vortechs website says that their V3 SCI trim will support 750 horse power which I'm alright with lol.

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

January 30th, 2012, 09:41 PM	#1
Stdyhand Regular 1991 Ford Mustang GT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Missouri Posts: 213 iTrader: 0 reviews	Aftermarket heads and ECM I am considering getting a set of aftermarket heads now. My question is, will I have to reprogram the ECM or get it dyno tuned now? I know I read somwhere that changing the cam will often result in needing a tune but what if I change just the heads for now, maybe the intake also, but keep the stock cam until I can afford the dyno tune also? I can finally afford a good set of heads, but don't think I can squeeze in a dyno tune also. I could be wrong, but I was thinking the heads wouldn't affect the ECM. They will simply pull in more air but as long as I am using the same cam, MAF sensor, and stock injectors the ECM will still function the same. In the future I will add a cam, larger injectors, MAF, etc. and get it tuned but for now I would like to pick up some extra horses without a lot of hassle.

January 30th, 2012, 09:54 PM	#2
ryanw I Post Entirely Way Too Much 1991 Ford Mustang GT Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 6,063 iTrader: 0 reviews	You should be fine with out a tune, you wont see every bit of hp with out a tune, but in my opinion you should upgrade your fuel pump and injectors to 24lb with a calibrated maff, with the heads The reason i say bigger injectors, is if your pulling in more air then you need more fuel, and the stock pump, sucks __________________ DART 331ci stroker, AFR 185 heads, Trick Flow R intake, Accufab 70mm tb, 75mm pro m Maf, 30lb injectors, jba headers, 2 1/2" x pipe flowmaster super 10 mufflers, 255 fuel pump, 3:27 gears Last edited by ryanw; January 31st, 2012 at 10:34 AM.

January 31st, 2012, 09:12 AM	#3
Super 88 Regular 1988 LX Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Germany Posts: 50 iTrader: 0 reviews	also if it aint done already, bump up the timing a few degrees. im running 21 degrees total advance, but it varies for each build __________________ 1988 lx demon 650 carb, edelbrock performer heads, crane 1.7rr, e303, no smog or a/c, 160 amp alt, 255 fuel pump, hooker shorties x-pipe & flows, stage 2 clutch, alum ds, 4.10 gears, steeda uppers, MM LCA, moroso drag springs, Strange 10-ways

January 31st, 2012, 09:15 AM	#4
69fastback Premium Member 1969 Mustang Mach 1 6.824@101.61 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oklahoma jackass, get to driving Posts: 5,565 iTrader: 0 reviews	21* total timing? That's not very much. That's less than stock. __________________ ./___ _ ____ ___ \. ( ]]] _ _ O _ _ [[[ ) \_ o _ _____ _ o _/ \|___\| ......... \|___\| http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyYU3...e_gdata_player

January 31st, 2012, 09:24 AM	#5
Super 88 Regular 1988 LX Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Germany Posts: 50 iTrader: 0 reviews	oops, meant mechanical. sorry just woke up, either way, advancing should help some __________________ 1988 lx demon 650 carb, edelbrock performer heads, crane 1.7rr, e303, no smog or a/c, 160 amp alt, 255 fuel pump, hooker shorties x-pipe & flows, stage 2 clutch, alum ds, 4.10 gears, steeda uppers, MM LCA, moroso drag springs, Strange 10-ways

January 31st, 2012, 01:12 PM	#6
ALEXLOPEZ62188 Mustang Fanatic 1989 Mustang LX Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Apple Valley, CA Posts: 409 iTrader: 0 reviews	You could buy the heads, the buy the MAF, Fuel pump, injectors etc....... and install everything all at once. That's what A lot of us here do __________________ 89 Mustang LX: 347 AFR Comp Cam TFS Track Heat 359rwhp 395rwtq

January 31st, 2012, 02:55 PM	#7
96paxtonstang Regular 1992 Mustang GT dont know yet Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Anderson California Posts: 113 iTrader: 0 reviews	I'm running the entire trick flow street burner kit on my 92 with 30#hr injectors and a calibrated C&L and the only issue I have is a surge on hot starts which clears up pretty fast. That said a tune is still the optimal way to go. Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app __________________ ______________ Mods: Paxton Novi 2000 @10psi 3.73 gears 255lph fuel pump Lucas 42# injectors Trick Flow 75mm upper intake Trick Flow 75mm throttle body Diablo "MAFia" Dyno tuned by Force Fed performance Sacramento Ca

January 31st, 2012, 03:16 PM	#8
ryanw I Post Entirely Way Too Much 1991 Ford Mustang GT Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 6,063 iTrader: 0 reviews	Dont buy c&l maffs, there no good __________________ DART 331ci stroker, AFR 185 heads, Trick Flow R intake, Accufab 70mm tb, 75mm pro m Maf, 30lb injectors, jba headers, 2 1/2" x pipe flowmaster super 10 mufflers, 255 fuel pump, 3:27 gears

January 31st, 2012, 03:52 PM	#9
96paxtonstang Regular 1992 Mustang GT dont know yet Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Anderson California Posts: 113 iTrader: 0 reviews	This one works good for me but when it gets tuned its getting a PRO-M but myself and others in my area have used them and had no issues. While I agree they are not the best I have still yet to have an issue with it. Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app __________________ ______________ Mods: Paxton Novi 2000 @10psi 3.73 gears 255lph fuel pump Lucas 42# injectors Trick Flow 75mm upper intake Trick Flow 75mm throttle body Diablo "MAFia" Dyno tuned by Force Fed performance Sacramento Ca

January 31st, 2012, 05:07 PM	#11
96paxtonstang Regular 1992 Mustang GT dont know yet Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Anderson California Posts: 113 iTrader: 0 reviews	The novi 2000 was on my 96 gt. it wasn't a bad kit but the instructions were terrible. A lot of the parts were labeled wrong and stuff like that otherwise a great kit. When I go FI on my fox it will prob be a vortech V3 (unless they make a carb legal turbo kit by then) I like the idea of not having to tap my oil pan. Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app __________________ ______________ Mods: Paxton Novi 2000 @10psi 3.73 gears 255lph fuel pump Lucas 42# injectors Trick Flow 75mm upper intake Trick Flow 75mm throttle body Diablo "MAFia" Dyno tuned by Force Fed performance Sacramento Ca

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