Sorry for the extended thread name, haven't had much sleep past couple days so I'm easily amused. I'm going to cave in and touch on my mechanicals. So I have about 1000-1200 to spend (thank you Uncle Sam) but if I can get the stuff for cheaper, awesome. Since I am planning on waiting to do the fun stuff until I get back from boot, I'm basically just wanting to make the car more fun to drive and ready for my tinkering when I get back (and possibly slightly more fuel efficient for those rare instances I'm gentle on the throttle). The car came with a Volant system, and I'm throwing in TR5's when it gets warmer here, so here is what I came up with:

1.Pacesetter LTs + TSP Rumbler X; 2.maybe tune; 3.maybe short throw

1.
- I remember reading that these will bolt straight together if I leave the cats off, or will I have to have straight pipes/cats welded on?

- Would it be better for me to buy the ceramic coated headers or would it generally be unneeded?

- Since I believe my '01 came with the EGR-less LS6 intake, all I would have to delete for the race headers is the AIR correct? Is it as simple as leaving the fuse in, plugging the openings, and removing the pump as with my 93?

2.
- Who would you recommend for said tune, and would I notice any difference with nothing but exhaust and the Volant kit?

- I was planning on deleting the rear 02's, and skip shift if I did get the tune.


Finally, what sort of gains would I be looking at from these upgrades? (ball park, I'm more concerned with driving feel than numbers for now)

Any suggestions, opinions, complications, or insults accepted and potentially needed

Thanks, Greg

 

1. no cats or pipes needed
You live in the rust belt so definitely get them coated. Even if you only drive in the summer they'll rust up fast.

2. Just remove the whole AIR system. It will set a code just like removing the cats will. You can get a decent mail order tune that'll take into account the cold air and headers and will tune out the codes for the removed emissions equipment at your request.

Gains should be in the 15 to 20 hp arena.

 

Yeah, definitely get the coated headers if you want them to last.