Mail-order tune from one of these guys: www.madz28.com or www.pcmsforless.com

 

i know you have $$$ so you want mods. get a tune, air foil and a cut-out. you will see gains and you will have money left over to put in the bank, plus you can make your car freaking loud, or stock with the cap. a very fun thing to have imo.

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plus you guys can install it all. if you don't have regulations just take the cat off and replace with the cut-out. this combo could yield 15rwhp for 240$

put the rest in the bank for when something goes wrong!!!!.

headers are gonna cost more than you think

copper gaskets $30 o2 extentions $30 headers and y pipe $420 pacesetter coated.

DON"T SPEND IT ALL you are always going to have problems with a 10 yr old car you need the slush fund.

 

Wow, the madz28 tune is 190.00 now? It must have went up in price. I agree fully as well, headers will definitely run you over your budget if you buy everything brand new. Earlier I suggested you shop around for used parts, that is the only way you will be able to pull it off with 500 bucks. Here is a little breakdown of what I spent:
Pacesetter coated longtubes: 430.00
Pacesetter off-road y-pipe: 130.00
Two high flow cats: 150.00
Shop labor to weld in two cats: 150.00
O2 simulators: 90.00
O2 harness extensions: 50.00
Brand new 02 sensors: 100.00
New plugs and OTVC wires and looms: 130.00ish
Fel-Pro header gaskets: 20.00
Coolant temp sensor: 20.00 (broke during install)
PB Blasters, shop rags, bandaids, ect: 20.00

 

was overshooting it because i couldn't remember

 

Good idea. He already has a catback and intake though. A cutout is a good investment. A tune would be good too. That's it then, a cutout and a tune..

 

Used parts are ok and should be taken advantage of when you have a chance. You can get used shorty headers with a y pipe for 200$. No cat and welded up at a shop for 50$. New gaskets for 30$ and a tune should put it barely over 400$. No need for o2 extensions or anything else. Shorties for these cars use stock locations for sensors. I paid 8.99 for my coolant temp sensor when we broke mine. If it were me and I was trying to get everything I could get out of it for 400$ that would be my plan. Guaranteed to put down 270 to the wheels.

 

okay people keep saying things about labor costs/welding. I DONT NEED IT
I get all that for free. All I have to pay for is parts

anyways, whats the final decision... Headers or a cut-out with tune?

also, I have to pass emissions so can I even do the cut-out/remove the cat's?

 

Cut-outs arent really regulated by inspectors. Tell them they are race only and come off at the track. If you do headers you can get all that stuff to get the headers ready and a tune within your budget.

 

u should have enough for headers....tune and cutout if there is no labor costs

pacesetter coated longtubes- $390

Madz28 tune- $190

Cutout- $30

i think u can handle the extra $20 or so

 

okay, try to ignore my lack of knowledge but what are cut-outs, what do they do, and how hard are they to install?

 

for 500 you can do this (exactly what i'm doing)
pacesetter long tube headers - 300 used, 400 new
2.5" piping - $20
2 moroso spiral flow mufflers - $45/each

or u could use dynomax bullets for $30/each, but the dynomax are a lot louder and will attract cops like none other

 

they are a piece of pipe that welds into your exhaust piping that you can open up to run open-headers pretty much

 

My 6 Madwolf tunes ran me $35. I just bought a ALDL cable for $25 and load them myself. Saves time, money, and hassle. People who send their PCM out all the time are shooting themselves in the foot.

Cutouts are too unproven for my tastes. If you get one for low cost and the labor is free, then it might be worth it.

Used Midlength or Longtube headers are perfect for budget owners. I bought my LT's and Y pipe used for $400 a few years ago. Just make sure if you get Mid's get the 94-95 style.

E-WP's are a good bang for the buck, I wouldnt buy one of these used, but I would do a search and understand how and why they are beneficial.

1.6 Full Roller Rockers are a good investment, once again I got mine used for $150 and tossed a LT4 spring kit under them for $35.

Moral of the story is to buy used, but buy used wisely. I bought nearly every bolt on for my car used. Catback, 1.6 Rockers, Headers, Y-pipe, Rear end, Transmission, LS1 brake upgrade, LCA's, PHB, ALDL cable, Vigilante Converter, and the list goes on. It allowed me to save more money, and have more money left over for other projects, problems, and gas. Going fast for less money, there isnt anything better than that.

-Dustin-

 

i agree for the most part......shop wisely....but i do believe buying some important stuff new..... is smart.....like i bought my true duals used.... and i am prolly going to buy my cutouts used.....but im gonna buy the longtubes new.....just keep in mind what is the most expensive to replace......make sure there is no rust!

 

see below


in this case he would have to have a y pipe!


i have the same set up with dynomax and it is not loud and cops don't notice, been on a cammed car for 8 months.

also he HAS emmissions so he would have to get 2 cats! = more money