Headers, need to move fast

[sothpaw]

TranceLT4,
Would I still realize the 20-30 rwhp without
the cats? My budget for all this definitely
maxes out at $1000, parts and labor. I'm trying
for the best bang for the buck, but I want I
sizeable gain--I might do the TB airfoil and
TB bypass someday, but that won't do much.

You said in an earlier thread you were going
to try an 52 mm throttle body. Decided it
was too expensive for too little gain?
How much would you get from that?
Do you know if the 52 mm throttle body would
push your fuel economy down when not driven
agressively?

Would you say cutting a hole in the air cleaner
lid is as good as the vortec or claw
induction system (you have a claw right?)?

Thanks again, this is starting to look clearer...

 

[Trance_LT4]

At a budget of 1000, I would say you are better off with the following mods.

1. Flowmaster cat-back (about 600)

2. Throttle Body Air foil (about 50)

3. K&N Filter (40) with cut-lid (free easy mod I can explain for you if need be)

4. TB Coolant bypass (free)

5. MAF descreened (free)

6. Hypertech Programmer (350)

7. And if you still have the cash, get an MSD 6a (180 with harness)

All this is around 50-60 horsepower. The 52 mm throttle body doesn't give muchif any power on a stock engine, but its needed if you want to make bigger mods work better (heads, intake, more displacement)

The headers give some power on a stock engine, but not as much as they should for what you pay for them, they only make more power (like the larger throttle body) when combined with the other big mods. Its a big balancing act you have to play with your engine.

The small simple mods are just that, simple. They add about the same power no matter what. 5-10 horsepower here and there adds up quick.