So I just got my rebuilt JDM b16a swapped into my 97 civic. The motor runs and the car drives. Iv read some forums that say to get the motor tuned after the 500 mile break in process. Is this true?? I do have a cold air intake and a 4 to 1 header with a 2.5in straight pipe. The head gasket also is different so the compress is a little lower than stock because the guy who build the motor made it to handle boost. I know that it’s recommended to get a tune after you put on new aftermarket parts so everything runs correctly. I called the tune shop and they said because I have a p30 obd1 ecu I should get hondata s300 chip for a tune is this correct?? Or am I ok to run the motor without a tune. Iv never had to dyno or tune anything and I don’t want to get screwed over or get the wrongs parts because the guy said it would be around $1000 for the chip and tune. Can someone please help me out with all this?

 

If you are just running an intake/exhaust, you don't need a tune, you could maybe squeeze a pony or two out of it with a tune, but it is not necessary. Now, if you put aftermarket cams in there, yes get it tuned.

 

The guy I called said I’d be running lean because of the cold air and the 4 to 1 header and exhaust is this true ?

 

A tune would definitely make it run better. Is it necessary? Nah. Others will staunchly disagree, but 20 years ago we were slapping I/H/E on Civics and driving them on unmodified ECU's without a problem. If this car is just a daily/weekend warrior, I honestly wouldn't bother with a tune.

 

You could always add a wideband o2 to verify if you are running lean and go from there.

 

the first step you need to see the spark plug condition it will give you an idea of how is your AF, getting wideband is the most accurate way to see that. if it shows that it's lean you can fix it by getting FPR and raise the fuel pressure.
I will not spend $$$ to get Hondata for sample step.

 

Your o2 sensor will add/subtract a percentage of fuel to get you back to stoich. Stock ECU have up to 45% change so I think youll be fine. This is the primary function of the 02 sensor. But you'll never know how much power you're making now vs after a tune. Get someone who tunes on crome to chip and tune your car. Should be about half of what they want for Hondata if you're on a budget.