Who's Up For Some Name Brand Suggestions?

Well, in my recent post asking about getting started on mods, there were a lot of helpful responses, which I thank everyone for. A lot of parts were mentioned, and I'd like to now ask which would be the best part from where, and if you can, tell me why. I subscribe to GM High Tech Performance, and it seems that on every other page there's an ad stating that their airlid's the best design, that this company's SFC's are better than anyone else's, etc.

So, who makes the best:

airlid?
MAF?
Torque converter?
Exhaust (this is probably the most important, because I want my car to sound good, but not "raspy", and I don't know anything about all the componentry that goes with "exhaust", so which parts exactly should I be looking into ordering?)

Rear gears, someone said something about checking the "GU" thing on the door? Mine says GU5, or G-whatever it is, 5.

Another question would be also, I've seen several places something that has to do with "free horsepower", which involves you cutting out the bottom of the air filter housing? If I get a new lid, is that something I should or shouldn't be doing?

I apologize in advance for the n00b questions, but I really want to learn more, and it seems that everywhere I turn, people give conflicting advice. So what better place than here to get all that evened out?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

Try to stick to the Big name brands- SLP, MTI, TSP, and ligenfelter are a few of mine favs. but explore for yourself and keep doing what youare doing right now - which is asking people their opinions. If you are asking about a particular part and you keep getting the same reply over agian, well there you go!

On the exhaust thing try to talk to other people who have a car similar to yours, decide if you think it sounds good or not, and then ask them what type of exhaust they have. Everyone has different taste. You should also consider performace, because some pipe sets sound great (like Flowmaster or Dynomax) but may only provide minimal hp/tq gains. In my opinion if you have an LS1 the SLP Loudmouth is the stuff! If your have an LT1 I would say cut the cats in favor of 02 simulators and go with a Flow out back.

But agian just my opinion, you should ask more people than just on this board.:)

Originally posted by StormSigma
So, who makes the best:

airlid? All are within spitting distance. TSP maybe a slight edge.

MAF? Stock

Torque converter? Yank if price is not a concern.

Exhaust (this is probably the most important, because I want my car to sound good, but not "raspy", and I don't know anything about all the componentry that goes with "exhaust", so which parts exactly should I be looking into ordering?)
Exhaust is too subjective. I run a loudmouth with a dynomax bullet.

Rear gears, Mine says GU5, You have 3.23s GM motive

Another question would be also, I've seen several places something that has to do with "free horsepower", which involves you cutting out the bottom of the air filter housing? If I get a new lid, is that something I should or shouldn't be doing?
I would do the Super Sucker Ram Air instead.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

Answers are in your text above.

gears- id go with GM, motive or strange i have strange 3.42s and i have no complaints

lid- slp is good but SUPPOSEDLY texas speed makes a better one that makes a bit more power.

exhaust- ok here it gets a bit tricky. with stock exhaust manifolds and the stock catalytic converters, ya cant beat the SLP loudmouth or the GMMG chambered for good power gains and sound...if ur gonna do headers and/or no cats, loudmouth and GMMG are INSANE loud. I have this set up and it sounds ANGRY AS HELL but u said u dont want raspy so id go with a Borla or maybe Corsa set up if u decide to bolt on some headers.

MAF- stick to stock, aftermarket ones are hit or miss on power gains

torque converter- the company who built mine dont exist anymore so id have to recommend Vigilante. somewhere around a 3000 stall for good gains.

as to ur question about the cutting of the airbox bottom. its usualyl known as the "free ram air mod". i did it and it seemed to help a bit at the top end.. a few horsepower...it's worth an hour's work in my opinion.
happy modding.