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Old Sep 3, 2004 | 02:35 PM
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Default Need Forum Help On Mods

The "mod bug" has finally bitten. I would like the opinion of the Forum on the following "entry level" mods from the latest MidAmerica Motorworks catalog:

"Throttle Body Air Flow Booster" $50
"Pumps in more horsepower and torque per dollar than any part in the aftermarket industry". "Add up to 13 horsepower for under $50".
Worth $50 or worthless snake oil?

"Ram Air Intake System w / K&N Filters" $220
"Bolt on 16 Horspower"
Looks basic, simple, and cheap vs. more exotic systems. (I was looking at the K&N system but it looks like you need to be a rocket scientist to install and there is cutting involved). Is this "economy" system OK? Is this enough improved over the 2002 Z06 Airbox and K&N Filer I have now to justify the expense?

"C5 Ceramic Headers At An Affordable Price" $600
I don't want to invest $1900 in Long Tube Headers, High Flow Cats, and a companion X-Pipe as I already have a Bassani X-Pipe and Borla Stingers. Are "shorty" headers worth installing over stock manifolds with my setup (stock cats, Bassani X-Pipe, Borla Stingers)? I note MA also sells "B&B Shorty SS Headers" at $1100- are they worth almost 2X the "generic"?

As always, I value the Forum input.

BIGMAC
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Old Sep 3, 2004 | 03:01 PM
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I wouldn't trust something that says it will add 13HP for only $50. With performance upgrades, there are no free lunches. That being said, i have no experience with that product.

I would recommend the Halltech Stinger air filter. It provides good filtering and a improvement in HP. Do a search and you'll see that many forum members are happy with it. Install is easy and no cutting is required. Their is a group buy now at the link below:

Halltech GP

As for shorty headers, everything I have read is they do not add HP...they are just a way to add more sound to your exhaust. I'd save up and get some LT headers unless you're just looking for better sound.
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Old Sep 3, 2004 | 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by BIGMAC
The "mod bug" has finally bitten. I would like the opinion of the Forum on the following "entry level" mods from the latest MidAmerica Motorworks catalog:

"Throttle Body Air Flow Booster" $50
"Pumps in more horsepower and torque per dollar than any part in the aftermarket industry". "Add up to 13 horsepower for under $50".
Worth $50 or worthless snake oil?
That thing looks like it might be related to the Tornado that was being sold, stay away from it

"Ram Air Intake System w / K&N Filters" $220
"Bolt on 16 Horspower"
Looks basic, simple, and cheap vs. more exotic systems. (I was looking at the K&N system but it looks like you need to be a rocket scientist to install and there is cutting involved). Is this "economy" system OK? Is this enough improved over the 2002 Z06 Airbox and K&N Filer I have now to justify the expense?
I think thats probably worth the money but I hate it when they post HP numbers like that, 16 HP from an airfilter mod is probably stretching the truth

"C5 Ceramic Headers At An Affordable Price" $600
I don't want to invest $1900 in Long Tube Headers, High Flow Cats, and a companion X-Pipe as I already have a Bassani X-Pipe and Borla Stingers. Are "shorty" headers worth installing over stock manifolds with my setup (stock cats, Bassani X-Pipe, Borla Stingers)? I note MA also sells "B&B Shorty SS Headers" at $1100- are they worth almost 2X the "generic"?
I bought FLP long tube headers for $1500 and it came as a whole system but since you already have the Bassani X-pipe get ahold of whoever your going to have install the headers and find out what they are going to charge you, since the $600 headers are just headers there is going to have to be some time of fabrication to mount them to your existing system.
Oh yeh, stay away from the shorties they are a waste of money
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Old Sep 3, 2004 | 04:04 PM
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Here is a neat little item, this is one of the oldest tricks in the book for boosting low end torque

MADVET
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Old Sep 3, 2004 | 04:09 PM
  #5  
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Temporary
Shortage

pending case results
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Old Sep 4, 2004 | 05:58 AM
  #6  
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Save the $50 on the first thing....get a new airbox Blackwing or something similar and get LT headers...TPIS or Stainlessworks...good stuff less $$ than LG or FLP if $$$ is a concern
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Old Sep 4, 2004 | 07:12 AM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by BIGMAC
The "mod bug" has finally bitten. I would like the opinion of the Forum on the following "entry level" mods from the latest MidAmerica Motorworks catalog:

"Throttle Body Air Flow Booster" $50
"Pumps in more horsepower and torque per dollar than any part in the aftermarket industry". "Add up to 13 horsepower for under $50".
Worth $50 or worthless snake oil?
You might want to consider an Shaner S2 Throttlebody, for only $159 w/core. Only a 5-8rwhp/rwtq gain, however the gains are compounded when added with a good CAI system, and LTs. Plus, I did notice a SOTP quicker throttle response after the Shaner S2 TB was installed.

Originally Posted by BIGMAC
"Ram Air Intake System w / K&N Filters" $220
"Bolt on 16 Horspower"
Looks basic, simple, and cheap vs. more exotic systems. (I was looking at the K&N system but it looks like you need to be a rocket scientist to install and there is cutting involved). Is this "economy" system OK? Is this enough improved over the 2002 Z06 Airbox and K&N Filer I have now to justify the expense?
IMHO, the BPP Vortex Rammer Intake system is one of the best C5 CAI systems. BTW, if you don't want to cut the fan shroud you can order a pre-cut shroud from Eckler's

Originally Posted by BIGMAC
"C5 Ceramic Headers At An Affordable Price" $600
I don't want to invest $1900 in Long Tube Headers, High Flow Cats, and a companion X-Pipe as I already have a Bassani X-Pipe and Borla Stingers. Are "shorty" headers worth installing over stock manifolds with my setup (stock cats, Bassani X-Pipe, Borla Stingers)? I note MA also sells "B&B Shorty SS Headers" at $1100- are they worth almost 2X the "generic"?
Shorty Headers are not worth the time, effort, nor $$$. Consider the SSW LTs, if your not willing to spend the most $$$ for the most performance gains in the Pro LG Long Tube Header system. You could always sale the Bassani X-pipe, since the Pro LG LT system comes with 3" diameter SS X-pipe. Plus, the Pro LG LT system is a direct bolt on that will mate right to the Borla Stinger.

Good luck with your performance choices

Last edited by Cary; Sep 4, 2004 at 07:30 AM.
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Old Sep 4, 2004 | 07:22 AM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by runamuk
Here is a neat little item, this is one of the oldest tricks in the book for boosting low end torque

MADVET
Do you have a before & after dyno result? Or, did you get a SOTP noticeable low end torque improvement? I've never heard of this particular neat little item. Are you using this with an OE Throttlebody? I have the Shaner S2 TB.

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Old Sep 4, 2004 | 10:18 AM
  #9  
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Default

Originally Posted by BIGMAC
The "mod bug" has finally bitten. I would like the opinion of the Forum on the following "entry level" mods from the latest MidAmerica Motorworks catalog:

"Throttle Body Air Flow Booster" $50
"Pumps in more horsepower and torque per dollar than any part in the aftermarket industry". "Add up to 13 horsepower for under $50".
Worth $50 or worthless snake oil?

"Ram Air Intake System w / K&N Filters" $220
"Bolt on 16 Horspower"
Looks basic, simple, and cheap vs. more exotic systems. (I was looking at the K&N system but it looks like you need to be a rocket scientist to install and there is cutting involved). Is this "economy" system OK? Is this enough improved over the 2002 Z06 Airbox and K&N Filer I have now to justify the expense?

"C5 Ceramic Headers At An Affordable Price" $600
I don't want to invest $1900 in Long Tube Headers, High Flow Cats, and a companion X-Pipe as I already have a Bassani X-Pipe and Borla Stingers. Are "shorty" headers worth installing over stock manifolds with my setup (stock cats, Bassani X-Pipe, Borla Stingers)? I note MA also sells "B&B Shorty SS Headers" at $1100- are they worth almost 2X the "generic"?

As always, I value the Forum input.

BIGMAC
The claim of 13 hp, it's cheap enough but go with the forum proven mods, you'll have fewer problems down the road.
The cold air intake is one of the best SOTP mods, lots of good choices , Vari-Ram, Hallteck, the K&N and my choice would be a blackwing.
Headers another SOTP change I've read that the shorties are the least in torq and HP gains and the long tubes the most. Don't know about Mid-America's headers but there inexpensive for some reason, maybe the quality or they might not fit like the others. I use Bassani LT, but there's several great types of LT.

Last edited by GOOSE JR.; Sep 4, 2004 at 10:21 AM.
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Old Sep 4, 2004 | 10:42 AM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by Cary
Do you have a before & after dyno result? Or, did you get a SOTP noticeable low end torque improvement? I've never heard of this particular neat little item. Are you using this with an OE Throttlebody? I have the Shaner S2 TB.

I put one of these on my truck (98 Silverado w/ TBI) and it is a SOTP gain, the bottom end torque is noticeable.

BTW this is an old drag racers trick to increase plenum length but since the C5 manifold is of a different design maybe it won't show the gains that you would get with a typical dual or single plane manifold
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Old Sep 4, 2004 | 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by runamuk
I put one of these on my truck (98 Silverado w/ TBI) and it is a SOTP gain, the bottom end torque is noticeable.

BTW this is an old drag racers trick to increase plenum length but since the C5 manifold is of a different design maybe it won't show the gains that you would get with a typical dual or single plane manifold
So, this is on your truck, not the C5? With the positive results on your truck I'd be curious if the same results could be had on a C5.

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Old Sep 4, 2004 | 11:41 AM
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BIGMAC -- save your $$ and skip the TB booster and Ceramic headers. Get a decent air intake like the Blackwing for $200-250 and then get LT headers. You can pick up Dynatech or Kooks LT headers (minus the x-pipe and cats) for around $800-900.

Mark
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