Been there.........
Just finishing. The biggest issue turns out to be the chip. Just try and find someone who can REALLY do a custom chip, for YOUR engine in YOUR car. Mail order will not cut it, unless you're REAL lucky. The best way is on a variable load dyno, which very few shops have. Just as rare is a guy who can program the chip. All the rest matters not, if the ECM cannot run it. I am running a '90 Camaro box, in the stock location. Next time, I'd seriously look at the 'smart', fully programmable and adjustable digital boxes for engine management.
I paid under $4800 for my 406. Add on the new computer, wiring harness, exhaust system, intake, all the peripherals, like rebuilding the tranny. O/D, master cylinder, the calipers etc. and I'm a shade over $15k. (You see, I wanted to be able to stop as well, plus dared not put all that power through the 105k driveline.) I did the dis/re-assembly myself over 2+ years. The car looks new inside and out, and appears almost a stocker '84
The car goes like stink! The 0-60 numbers rival and may beat the Z06. It runs 92 octane and purrs hoarsely. Step on it and the TPIS exhaust makes everyone sit up and pay attention. Thanks to Gary Leonhardt, I no longer send messages to Tonto from my tailpipes. He worked long and hard to fix my 'custom' chip, from another expert. It ran VERRRRRRRRY rich, except at WOT.
I like the idea of the TPIS fuel rail, with the access it affords to other injection system parts without tearing everything down. The exact opposite is true of the Lingenfelter/Accel intake, which made the mistake of buying. I had to beg for enough bolts to assemble the damn thing, too. At least their instructions and customer service suck! I like the expertise, customer support and lack of BS at TPIS.
If you get the Ling, buy a HUGE tube of RTV black to seal the damn thing. Use it ALL! Expect to pay major dollars, too, or spend many, many hours trying to assemble it, probably more than once, using every 12 point, 1/4" wrench you can imagine, in very tight quarters. Torque the nuts? You've GOT to be kidding! I was lucky to get all the bolts in this thing! Mechanics hate it, but love to cash the huge check you'll write if you need to get to any injector or other component under the plenum. Get the hint? I like the TPIS, but a pal has great results with the stock plenum, Arizona Speed and Marine runners and the Ling manifold. If only I'd listened MORE closely to what he said!!
Make sure you talk with an experienced engine shop, too. Don't just throw name part$ at it. Some make sense for the street; some don't. A balance approach, with a specific goal in mind, will yield the greatest satisfaction.
Cold air? Who needs it? Gary's been around this biz for many years and the clubbers know he won't waste their money on stuff that promises, but don't deliver. He says the difference in intake temperature, betwen my conical K&N behind the radiator and a 'ram air', from the front bumper, will make little difference to my engine. Ram air? Ha! Above 90, maybe.
The car runs cool with a clean, stock radiator and water pump, but I need more miles to prove it, long term. An easy change later, if need be.
I would use ceramic coated headers to get as much heat as possible out from under the hood and into the exhaust where it can work FOR you. Cats don't run well, cold. Hell, I'd use a LOT more ceramics.
