Does replacing ECU unit and test pipes really up horsepower.

Yes, but to a degree. ECU's can alter the air/fuel ratios to run leaner, which provides more power. Aftermarket exhausts change exhaust flows to make them smoother and exit the car quicker. This results in more power. For optimum power with minimal modification, an intake, ECU tune, and cat-back exhaust with test pipes would net the largest gain.

 

I've got the same question. I have the test pipes and the exhaust but nobody selling the ECU's has any hard data to back up their claims (ie dyno sheet). How do you confirm that you have an increase (unless you dyno it yourself). And if you do dyno your own and the increase is not as suggested...do you get a refund?

 

Fanman -

I believe that putting test pipes on a 360 is probably not the best plan unless its a dedicated track car. Use Hyper-Flow cats instead -- you'll get terrific sound, a huge CFM improvement, and clean emissions. The CFM difference between Hyper-Flow cats and straight pipes isn't worth the hassle of emissions testing.

Can you put straight pipes on? Sure. Does it suddenly make emissions testing harder? Yes. Does it suddenly cause all sort of angst when you need FNA service? Yes.

It's one issue to put pipes on the older cars. Doing it on a modern 360 with more chips and electronics than NASA has, just seems like a hassle for the results you'd get.

Just my 2-cents.

-Daniel

 

Dave
I got a 2000 6sp with ECU, straight pipes, intakes, capristo stage 3, but only gained about 20rwhp on the dyno. Capristo with test pipes is very loud.

 

It doesn't seem like the 10-20 hp you might gain is worth all the money and screwing around.....come to the darkside and feel the power of boost! My supercharged 308 is making about 520hp, there is a 355tt making 750 - both on pump gas, with stock interal parts, and with dyno sheets to support the claims. Honestly you really won't even notice 10 hp, but I promise you will notice the hp you get from 10psi of boost. Just a thought.

 

Agreed 100%, I gave up trying to make the 360 feel fast, that is why I am adding a Murci.