[RebeccaHC15]

I apologize in advance for my ignorance. My knowledge on cars is limited and I’m very new to mods. I just got a 2015 Honda Civic coupe (ex?) a few months ago. Everything I read said cold air intake is the best place to start. Great. I got a k&n for my 18th birthday. My dad said I need to get my car tuned to it. I call the auto shop and they said no, it doesn’t need that, they can just put it in and it’ll run fine. Then I’m at a car show and someone tells me that the auto shop was full of bull and it could really harm my engine having it in there without a tune, so I should get flashpro. So I’m really lost. Advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[TenZen]

It would help get the most out of it. I know 3" intakes will set a check engine light make the car run like crap.

 

[scottyrocks]

Welcome to 9th gen, Rebecca.

Anything that changes the air/fuel ratio will need an adjustment to run best. Each type/brand/model of car has an ECU that will compensate to the extent it can. But once a part is added that the computer cannot bend over backwards far enough for, you'll get a situation like what TenZen said.

A CAI will allow more air in, the ECU will try to match it with the proper amount of fuel, but may not quite cut it. Too-lean running engines go boom.

Yours may seem to run okay/'fine' with the new intake, but to run best, and extend engine longevity, a tune would be preferable.

 

[RebeccaHC15]

Welcome to 9th gen, Rebecca.

Anything that changes the air/fuel ratio will need an adjustment to run best. Each type/brand/model of car has an ECU that will compensate to the extent it can. But once a part is added that the computer cannot bend over backwards far enough for, you'll get a situation like what TenZen said.

A CAI will allow more air in, the ECU will try to match it with the proper amount of fuel, but may not quite cut it. Too-lean running engines go boom.

Yours may seem to run okay/'fine' with the new intake, but to run best, and extend engine longevity, a tune would be preferable.

Ok wow that helps a lot. I feel like an idiot. Would you recommend flashpro? Should I get the factory intake reinstalled in the meantime, and then have the CAI reinstalled later just Incase?

 

[AndyMac204]

be safe, tune the car to get the most out of it.
good luck and happy modding!

 

[Squidward]

Just a regular K&N intake with the same diameter piping as stock does not need a tune to run safely. You would need a tune to see any power gains (if any are even available from a K&N) but its not damaging your engine.

 

[RebeccaHC15]

Just a regular K&N intake with the same diameter piping as stock does not need a tune to run safely. You would need a tune to see any power gains (if any are even available from a K&N) but its not damaging your engine.

Yeah I actually just called the guy who installed it and he said exactly this. Whooo. Thank you.

 

[EFICU]

Lot's of good info in here. For the most part there is nothing to really worry about, the short and long term fuel trims should keep everything in check. Though the harder the fuel trims work, the lower your fuel economy will be in general and your fueling won't be optimal. A Flashpro would be a good option so you can dial things in and take advantage of the intake. It would also let you address any knock the engine may be experiencing both before and after the intake install. If you pick up a Flashpro, you can always make a datalog and post it on here. Then we can look at it and help you determine the next stop.

 

[Man_afsami]

Ok wow that helps a lot. I feel like an idiot. Would you recommend flashpro? Should I get the factory intake reinstalled in the meantime, and then have the CAI reinstalled later just Incase?

it never hurts to get a Hondata flash pro. If you live in New England there’s really only one place to go for tuning and it’s Dave’s tuning in Waterbury CT. He’s pretty well known for how great job he’s does for a very reasonable price. He is a Honda specialist, if you get a flash pro don’t get the CARB compliant one because it’s too limited in the tuning sense. Also buying a used hondata is a very slippery slope because they could be locked to a specific car.