[tripleblack]

Originally Posted by stlcap5

Oh alright gotcha. I know what the test and tune is at the strip but I didnt know if the test pipe was something different or not. How much HP do you gain though from a "good" LT and a "good" x-pipe cats or not and a tuner that gives you about 20-30 HP: we'll just say about 25 HP...

Gains are dependent on what you've got under the hood (and manufacturers love to quote hp gain numbers from pumped up Cobras due to this fact), but assuming you AREN'T running a power-adder, the results are roughly 20hp for the LT/mid-pipe swap. Due to cost, many people just do the mid-pipe swap, which is relatively inexpensive and not a bad bang-for-the-buck item, particularly since these are not a hard install for the do-it-yourselfer.

LT's ARE more expensive, have about the same hp gains as a good mid-pipe, and are hard (or costly) to install. Therefore the bang-for-the-buck is not so good.

A custom tune will usually maximize your ability to make use of such things as CAI's, exhaust upgrades, and other bolt-on parts. If you are unwilling to run premium fuel, these gains are less because it is harder to advance timing on the engine. Keep the tune conservative and well-away from detonation conditions if you want to keep the motor healthy.

However, I have seen many installs of LT's on otherwise stock cars where no driveability issues resulted and no custom tune was performed.

If you're going the bolt-on route, its more efficient to do as many of the components as possible all at once, THEN get a tune. Otherwise, you will spend as much money on repeatedly tweaking the tuning on the car as you do on parts.

This might require some discipline - ie, saving enough money for the blower (which costs about $3500 and will deliver 100hp+) or all the bolt-ons (which cost about $3500 and will deliver 40hp+).

Note the best bang for the buck on these cars is ALWAYS power-adders and gears.

Bolt-ons can make THOSE changes more efficient - or get in their way and end up on the shelf. Think ahead and avoid the waste.

[stlcap5]

Originally Posted by tripleblack

Gains are dependent on what you've got under the hood (and manufacturers love to quote hp gain numbers from pumped up Cobras due to this fact), but assuming you AREN'T running a power-adder, the results are roughly 20hp for the LT/mid-pipe swap. Due to cost, many people just do the mid-pipe swap, which is relatively inexpensive and not a bad bang-for-the-buck item, particularly since these are not a hard install for the do-it-yourselfer.

LT's ARE more expensive, have about the same hp gains as a good mid-pipe, and are hard (or costly) to install. Therefore the bang-for-the-buck is not so good.

A custom tune will usually maximize your ability to make use of such things as CAI's, exhaust upgrades, and other bolt-on parts. If you are unwilling to run premium fuel, these gains are less because it is harder to advance timing on the engine. Keep the tune conservative and well-away from detonation conditions if you want to keep the motor healthy.

However, I have seen many installs of LT's on otherwise stock cars where no driveability issues resulted and no custom tune was performed.

If you're going the bolt-on route, its more efficient to do as many of the components as possible all at once, THEN get a tune. Otherwise, you will spend as much money on repeatedly tweaking the tuning on the car as you do on parts.

This might require some discipline - ie, saving enough money for the blower (which costs about $3500 and will deliver 100hp+) or all the bolt-ons (which cost about $3500 and will deliver 40hp+).

Note the best bang for the buck on these cars is ALWAYS power-adders and gears.

Bolt-ons can make THOSE changes more efficient - or get in their way and end up on the shelf. Think ahead and avoid the waste.

Dang, thats a lot in one reply lol. Thanks for the info and the backup on the other question. I don't know as much as I wish I did about cars, but I will sooner or later if I read all the different threads and questions!!!

[tripleblack]

Originally Posted by stlcap5

Dang, thats a lot in one reply lol. Thanks for the info and the backup on the other question. I don't know as much as I wish I did about cars, but I will sooner or later if I read all the different threads and questions!!!

In other words...

You get about 20hp from an exhaust featuring LT's and an Xpipe that is tuned properly, for a stock motor.

I added all the other stuff to illustrate all the traps that are out there, and to encourage you to plan before you spend money.

But LOL, it always IS a long response to a small question.

[stlcap5]

Originally Posted by tripleblack

In other words...

You get about 20hp from an exhaust featuring LT's and an Xpipe that is tuned properly, for a stock motor.

I added all the other stuff to illustrate all the traps that are out there, and to encourage you to plan before you spend money.

But LOL, it always IS a long response to a small question.

Ok that is short and sweet now lol...thanks for the info though!!!