I was just wondering which is considered more of a bottleneck on these cars. The factory intake or the factory exhaust? I have a lid arriving this afternoon and was wondering if I should focus on the intake side first ( ported TB, SSRA, LS6 intake ) or the exhaust side ( Headers, ORY ).

 

My guess is the exhaust, since adding LT's (especially in conjunction with a cut-out) is where you see HUGE power increases over stock, even when everything else (internally anyways) is relatively stock. I don't think the gains from opening up the intake are nearly as significant.

I think to get the most out of opening up the intake, you need to do everything: lid, TB, and intake manifold. However, you still would need to open up the exhaust a lot more, and if your engine is still stock internally (in particular, cam and heads) then you won't even use all that extra "flow" capability. SO, I say put more effort in opening up the exhaust first.

 

I'd say exhaust too, especially the manifolds. Mine had disgusting welds that hung down at least half way into the exhaust path. It was a very poorly welded flange. I am really glad I got the LT's to replace them. Just thinking that my car had those old maifolds makes me want to puke.

 

bone stock i think the biggest bottle neck is the intake...specifically the lid.

but since you have that (or will), and if you do the FRA mod to get more air in (and it's free) than the bottleneck moves to the exhaust.

intake manifold is a good mod...dyno proven 7ish hp...but the TB is not a major problem.

i would personally do lid, ssra (amazing highway gains), headers w/ full exhaust...then do the intake manifold.

each one will compliment the other.