i have 350 bucks to spend in a few weeks from my tax return, and i am either thinkin of gettin an slp loudmouth cat back system, or getting my pcm reprogrammed to an OBDI. i have a 97 firebird. which will give my car the best performance?? is there any modifications i can do to the OBDI before i get it shipped to me?

 

I don't think you'll gain anything by converting to obd1 at this point. You can start with the CAI, cat-back, gears, rockers..... You would need to reprogram only after heavy moding such as head/cam, and even then obd2 is ok.

 

Get a cutout, CAI, and your PCM reprogrammed form Madz28 or PCM for less.

 

i'm thinking either the lingenfelter coldair induction or the slp loudmouth exhaust at this point. the exhaust is 357.

how much is a cutout and can you link me??? how much performance would i gain from a cutout, cai, and getting my PCM repgrogrammed compared to getting exhaust.

 

look at my sig and you will get your answers! I went from 14.1 @ 98 stock to the times in my sig with cutout, home built CAI, and home programming. You can do a lot to free up HP that way, if you need to pay people to do it then do that, any exhaust shop can give you a custom cutout for about $60-$80, the CAI I made cost me about the same. The filter being the most expensive part! I did the tuning myself after sending another $90 for the cable and using TC software. But for the tuning go for a profesional unless your into a lot of trial and error!

 

yeah the thing is though i don't have the materials/knowledge to build my own stuff. i'm kind of new to modding, and am on here at chunks of time. i don't have a lot of time, and i don't know that much

 

Do a search for home made CAI. It will provide you the knowledge and part numbers. I made a CAI for my 96 z28. I believe that the page I followed was a page by a member named texaslerch or something like that. He has a link for part numbers for the kn air filter, tubing, etc. The only thing that is not on the page is to place an air breather in the A.I.R. tube that you disconnect from the bung on the stock intake. I bought mine at auto zone for a couple of $. All in all it was ~$60. So a 3inch cutout ~$50 with parts and install, plus ~$60 for the CAI, plus the price of tuning which I think is ~$125, totals ~$235. You will be surprised at the increase that you will receive for these few "tweaks". I will warn you though IF you do these things you WILL be addicted and the mod bug will have you. Have fun.

 

Converting to OBD-I requires swapping out the entire pcm and wiring harness. that's a pain - it would be simpler to do a catback system. converting to OBD-I isn't going to gain you any power. Having your existing PCM programmed for a more efficient tune will. I'd go with a catback system first.

 

first of all ive seen loudmouths around here and ls1tech go for 150-250 so you can pick up one of those around that price all day long....check ebay for CAI..usually you can find a used k/n or moroso on there for around 75-125 bucks or they have a couple sellers selling the metal intake tubes with filters for around 40-50 bucks...also you can do some of the free mods like the throttle body bypass, etc...you can pick up a cutouts for around 15-30 bucks shipped....i just bought two 3" cutouts on ebay for 32 bucks shipped!! so i think you can get a good loudmouth catback, good cai, free mods, and a cutout(including install) and still maybe have some money left that you can save more and add to that

 

i'm gonna get the cat back system.

now with that, i have to buy an installation kit?? what about x pipe's or w/e?? should i replace anything with the pipes other than the cat back system to gain some extra power/sound?

 

you cant run a x pipe because all fbody exhaust are single all the way back to a cross flow style muffler...about the install kit, its nothing but a piece of pipe and to me isnt worth 60-70 bucks so id take it to a muffler shop and get them to weld it up...take the cutout if you get one when you go and it will end up being cheaper labor wise..or it should IMO!

 

i will def. look into that.

i think the kit is only like 32 bucks on this site i'm lookin at. since i can't get an x pipe, are there any pipes to increase the flow? if someone could link me so i can understand a little better, that would be sweet i want 2 single duals comin out, not the 4 exhaust tips i have from my formula's stock exhaust.

 

i'm gonna get the slp loudmouth, and a transgo shift kit for now. should be sweet, i'll let you guys know how it is