I would like to hear from someone who really knows the theory on this. I'm very frustrated with the attempts to make a decison on what to do about inproving my intake & exhaust.
I don't quite understand that one one hand whe need more flow for performance but yet need backpressure on the other hand. I think it makes sense that, depending on your engine's state of tune, you need a specific amount/pattern of flow and backpressure and that more is not always better for performance. Please let me know if my thought in this first paragraph is correct.
If there is to much restriction on flow going through our stock engines (obviously that is the case because there is power to be gained by increasing flow without changing anything other than intake and exhaust), than it stands to reason that if all we do is changing intake and exhaust (& I don't mean internal changes such as heads, cams, etc) there has to be one ideal set of mods that is the best....anything different would be less effective. This has to be true if the first paragraph is correct.
So here is my problem. After reading a good bit and listening to others, I've heard so many opinions on what mods are the best, but there are to many different opinions for me to find the correct answer.
FOR MY STOCK ENGINE, I want the best available CAI (if this is really better than just replacing with a K&N filter). Next I want to change my exhuast with the best available option for the dollar amount. If headers and the best pipes you can get are perfect for a fully modified, say 600+ HP engine, than this should be to much flow for a stock engine (according to my thoughts in the first paragraph).
So, if somewhat more flow is needed, why would headers be better than say a muffler delete. Exhaust flow is hindered by several obstickles such as restrive manifolds, cats, mufflers, etc. Doesn't removal of any of those restrictions cause improved flow & thus better performance up to the point that flow is excessive for a stock engine?.....OR, is it the placement of the restriction that makes the difference? (e.g. headers and muffler delete are pretty much oposite ends of the exhaust).
How does nitrous fit in this picture? Does a normally aspirated 600HP LS2, for example, need the exact same exhaust flow as say a 450HP LS2 with 150 HP shot of Nitrous. Are their needs the same or is there a difference in exhaust pressures due to the nitrous induction vs 100% ambient air?
Finally the magic question. What intake & exhaust combo is the best for a stock LS2 GTO with 150 shot of nitrous & what other changes are essential to make with such a combo (e.g. plugs, thermostat, etc)?
I'd very much appreciate some good info.
I don't quite understand that one one hand whe need more flow for performance but yet need backpressure on the other hand. I think it makes sense that, depending on your engine's state of tune, you need a specific amount/pattern of flow and backpressure and that more is not always better for performance. Please let me know if my thought in this first paragraph is correct.
If there is to much restriction on flow going through our stock engines (obviously that is the case because there is power to be gained by increasing flow without changing anything other than intake and exhaust), than it stands to reason that if all we do is changing intake and exhaust (& I don't mean internal changes such as heads, cams, etc) there has to be one ideal set of mods that is the best....anything different would be less effective. This has to be true if the first paragraph is correct.
So here is my problem. After reading a good bit and listening to others, I've heard so many opinions on what mods are the best, but there are to many different opinions for me to find the correct answer.
FOR MY STOCK ENGINE, I want the best available CAI (if this is really better than just replacing with a K&N filter). Next I want to change my exhuast with the best available option for the dollar amount. If headers and the best pipes you can get are perfect for a fully modified, say 600+ HP engine, than this should be to much flow for a stock engine (according to my thoughts in the first paragraph).
So, if somewhat more flow is needed, why would headers be better than say a muffler delete. Exhaust flow is hindered by several obstickles such as restrive manifolds, cats, mufflers, etc. Doesn't removal of any of those restrictions cause improved flow & thus better performance up to the point that flow is excessive for a stock engine?.....OR, is it the placement of the restriction that makes the difference? (e.g. headers and muffler delete are pretty much oposite ends of the exhaust).
How does nitrous fit in this picture? Does a normally aspirated 600HP LS2, for example, need the exact same exhaust flow as say a 450HP LS2 with 150 HP shot of Nitrous. Are their needs the same or is there a difference in exhaust pressures due to the nitrous induction vs 100% ambient air?
Finally the magic question. What intake & exhaust combo is the best for a stock LS2 GTO with 150 shot of nitrous & what other changes are essential to make with such a combo (e.g. plugs, thermostat, etc)?
I'd very much appreciate some good info.