exhaust and air-intake will get you very minor power.. VERY minor. waste of money i think. how much is a decent/good exhaust system with high flow cat and header/extractors. around 2g? how much is a proper cold air intake and piping.. 800 - 1g? and then later on finding out that the computer automatically changed the fuel ratio of the car because its getting too much air, so it changes its air to fuel ratio too much and the car is running too rich. so it f*cks up your spark plugs and there is a chance of your new cat f*cking up too.. and then it begins: your car is now a smoke blowing, thrashed up, p-plater run around.
exhaust and air intake performance upgrades were orginally designed to support your upgraded cams/engine and a lot of performance work shops will sell them as they are "alone" for money, which is fine but throw the car on the dyno and you're lucky to get a 10hp difference and its mainly because your car is adding more fuel. over $2000 for 10hp??
as for cams.. i know you have to get more things done than just cams but at least you're getting everything to flow better/properly and you get a massive power increase, plus you can get the exhaust and air intake to match, later on if your wish etc etc. this will save you money from buying a second time.
either way a waste of money, but i think the point im trying to make is that you probably have to do some proper performance mods done or nothing at all.. its just going to be a waste i think, working with performance cars myself i see alot of teens/p-platers waste a lot of money doing something and having to get it changed later on.
---------- Post added 03-08-2010 at 07:50 PM ----------
getting cams are the best way to let the engine breathe.
You obviously don't know much about the LS series engines then right? They are quite detuned in Holden form.
My VX Calais was 220hp atw stock, for under $2k i've got 300hp at the wheels. Hardly a 10hp increase
All i have is an OTR, cat back and a mail order tune. Still waiting to put my 4-1's and high flow cats on and get the tune tidied up to suit. Oh and a 4000rpm stally for sh!ts and giggles should have the barge knocking on the door of some 11's