Well, to make a long story short, Defense Finance has had my pay messed up for the past six months, and I have been paid as an E2 instead of an E3; so I've got a pretty hefty back-pay check coming (about $500); secondly, I have $400 coming from my tax return, for a total of about $900...I want to spend about $600 on my Tib, and pay some other bills with the remainder. I still need a catback and possibly headers (not sure on that yet)...

So I guess my question is, should I buy headers along with the catback, or spend the money on something else (i.e. - Nology's, U/D Pulley, etc.) ??? I know the obvious answer is to get the headers, but I'm not sure what I want to do later on in the way of Forced Induction yet down the road (i.e. - 2-3 years from now)...

I've been reading these threads on HARD's upcoming (possible vapor-ware) turbo setup, along with the setup on Shark Racing. And I imagine that by the time I have saved the cash for something like that, there will be at least a couple F/I options available.

Any inputs are greatly appreciated...what would you guys do???

Thanks!

I would go with the headers/catback now....and then when the times come for F/I sell the headers....you'll always have potential buyers on this site...so selling them won't be a problem.

My headers are the best mod i did. I would take the money and sit on it for like a frw months and really, really think about it. For 900.00 you could do headers, cat, AND a U/D pulley!

Dude, DFAS sucks! I haven't got a clothing allowance since 1998. $1600, come to poppa! As for your question, read the DIY section on installing the headers. From the looks of it, it may be more of a pain in the butt to do twice; once for the headers and then again for the turbo manifold. Get the cat back system that can be used WITH the turbo kit because yeah, you can re-sell the headers, but you won't get all of your money back :'( Just my .02.

Dude, DFAS sucks! I haven't got a clothing allowance since 1998. $1600, come to poppa! As for your question, read the DIY section on installing the headers. From the looks of it, it may be more of a pain in the butt to do twice; once for the headers and then again for the turbo manifold. Get the cat back system that can be used WITH the turbo kit because yeah, you can re-sell the headers, but you won't get all of your money back :'( Just my .02.

Goo! i didnt read that you need a cat BACK!lol..get that ASAP..i think for most of us..thats where we saw the most gains! Razors got some good points too.id do a cat back if i were you!

thanks fellas. I think I will hold off on the headers, and start an F/I savings account at my bank (don't know what method I'm gonna go w/ yet...) but thanks for the replies; you guys rock!

btw...you're right; I've had MANY problems with DFAS since my promotion. You would think with a $$320 BILLION per year defense budget, the military could at least learn to count dollars. :-\

If you are looking for the best HP per $$ ratio (after a CAI of course) headers are your best option. Adding a catback changes the sound of the exhaust and nets you a performance response of, "Yeah, I think I can tell a difference in the performance." Adding headers gives you a seat of the pants difference more along the lines of, "WooHoo! D@mn that is nice!"

If you are looking for the best HP per $$ ratio (after a CAI of course) headers are your best option. Adding a catback changes the sound of the exhaust and nets you a performance response of, "Yeah, I think I can tell a difference in the performance." Adding headers gives you a seat of the pants difference more along the lines of, "WooHoo! D@mn that is nice!"

...that makes me think. Cuz I don't think install would be as hard as described; I have a Dodge freak for a friend who'll help for a case of beer (VERY knowledgable), and access to Offutt Air Force Base's Auto Hobby Shop and a lift, along with every tool imaginable.

BTW Dingle, I looked at your CarDomain page...DAYUM!!! 5.8 0-60 N/A?!?!?!?! You're creeping up REAL CLOSE on the SRT-4, my friend!!!!! :biggrin:

Adding a catback changes the sound of the exhaust and nets you a performance response of, "Yeah, I think I can tell a difference in the performance." Adding headers gives you a seat of the pants difference more along the lines of, "WooHoo! D@mn that is nice!"

I agree with Dingleweed completely. Once I felt the difference, I regretted not doing headers sooner!

My 0 to 60 mph times (which I get from my GTech Pro Comp.) are a little deceiving because I can hit 60 in 2nd gear, due to my large (235/45) tires. With my stock ecu and taller tires I am hitting the rev limiter right at 60 mph. When I used to have my REAL ECU in, which raises the rev limiter to 7300 rpm from 6800 rpm, it was really easy to hit 60 mph in second gear. (This spring I'll be putting my REAL ECU back in and dyno tuning the A/F mix.)

With stock tires and the stock ecu you have to shift to 3rd between 50 and 60 mph. Shifting by itself can easily add 0.3 to 0.6 seconds to your 0 to 60 time. But then again 0 to 60 times don't mean much in the 1/4 mile since most everyone else will have to shift three times during the run anyway...

If you bought the headers and installed them, the first drive you take with them will remove any doubt as to whether or not you should have gotten them ;)

*Edit*
after I do a little more tuning this spring along with a new suspension, tires, and light rims... I would love to go up along side an SRT4 at the drag strip... can you say "sleeper"? :biggrin:

If you replace your headers doesn't that void your warranty from what I have heard...that is one factor holding me up with purchase at moment...

Yeah it voids the warranty on the stock exhaust manifold, which you won't be using. I don't see a header causing a catastrophic engine failure, so go for it!

kewl...thanks for the head's up...no pun intended...lol :biggrin: