robertbartsch

I'm a CPA by trade so I look at most things in terms of numbers.

I assembled the analysis below illustrating the horse power gained per dollor spent on most of the popular bolt-on modifications that I have either performed myself (1999 SS) or read about here.

Surprisingly, headers, heads and cat-back exhaust systems are the most expensive in terms of power obtained.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Intake Manifold (cost = $500) (HP per $ = $50.00)
Mass Air Flow (cost = 180) (HP per $ = $22.50)
Air lid (Cost = 130) (HP per $ = $13.00)
Cold Air induction(Cost = $150)(HP per $ = $18.75)
Ported TB (Cost = $180) (HP per $ = $22.50)
Thermostat (Cost = $50) (HP per $ = $16.67)
Header LT w/cats(Cost = $1,200)(HP per $ = $60.00)
Cat-back exhaust (Cost = $500) (HP per $ = $50)
Cam (Cost = $600) (HP per $ = $20)
Heads (Cost = $2,500) (HP per $ = $83.33)

Dave Carney

yeah but after the easiest stuff what else is left?????

some of those numbers are pretty generous, in my case at least MAF=0hp, catback = almost zero.