I constantly browse Jeg's mag for parts and they'll note something like... this part produces 20hp gains. I'll bring the question here about the part and you guys say...negative, stick w/ the stock part. For example...The Mass air flow sensor, Jeg's says this part will produce a 10-15hp gain at the wheels. The guys here said...negative, the stocker is better. I've brought a few questions to the board about other parts and it's the same thing.

It all depends on the part and its application vs the state of your car. Certain modifications are made to correct mistakes, or to change the way the car will perform to other installed modifications balance out. Not to mention the fact that sometimes, just sometimes, the part is decent enough it isnt even worth it to replace it.

Thats where the MAF comes in. Its the same principle, it gauges the air coming into the motor much better and faster, therefore your car can adjust faster. Here in lies the problem, with a stock or near stock motor, the airflow is going to be so constant (and slow) that the stock version can do the job just as well. Which means you get no gains. Now, put that same part on a heavily modified and built car with a type of FI, and the changes need to be told precicely and quickly to the computer to change speed of the injectors and soforth.

So instead of paying $300 on a part that does you no good at this time, we'd rather you start from the ground up. Breather mods such as CAI, Exhaust, Headers, Aftermarket Cats, all help the engine breathe, and when future modifications are added, you're getting their peak performance.

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Okay, I understand, but that brings up a new question. Why are they so vague? They obviously understand their parts and the capabilities of their parts, why not be more specific when a hp gain is "promised" in a mag that can be read by the car buffs and those who don't know shit alike? It made me question the companies trust value as a whole. It made me think that they know their shit, but are premeditately planning on preying on the ignorant, such as myself. Is this that simple, or are they thinking...duh, boy you should have a better understanding of cars. Either way a better description of the capabilities should be posted, perhaps with graphs and shit.

No matter how car smart, or dumb, we are all still possible clients.

Rereading that I think I've answered my own question. The number cruncher guys have already analyzed this information and directed their results towards the best sales pitch...perhaps the vagueness is the way of most effective business approach.

Exactly. A honest number is a honest number, even if that number is made on an engine that is borderline race track only.

Take for example the classic "K&N" filter swap. They compare their number to a stock filter right? Yes, but that stock filter usually has a few thousand miles of small debris on it. That's why you see gains from a drop in filter on the scale of up to 20Hp (On a lancer evo X. Actual result, saw it with my own eyes figured a clean stock filter would gain about the same. It gained about half actually over teh clogged filter, so still a nice upgrade.)

The thing of it is all stock cars have restrictive intakes and or exhausts, normally. You pray that yours does. Who wanna get 10WHP from changing their filter? Hows about a solid 30 for a full back exhaust?

Another thing to look at is the largest number, is the number they'll advertise, not the average gain. If you gain 20HP on a cam swap at 6500RPM that's what the cam maker will advertise, never mind you loose 30HP at 2000 and below. (Think a big thumper stick, one that's made for high reving, not all cams will do something like that)

Basically, if you want power, stick with proven boltups, and boltons. CAI, Headers, Exhaust, and underdrive accessory pulleys. Those upgrades will almost ALWAYS give you HP, throttle response, and also a few more MPG if your lucky.

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23:23] blkIROC355: sometimes when i pee i make that sound the light sabers make
[23:23] SpecialK LS1: lmao
[23:23] blkIROC355: and play with the stream
[23:23] SpecialK LS1: that's just wrong

that' why i like this site cause these guy's have already crunched there number's and they can pass on what there hp gains were before and after there mod's

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We try our best to make everyones here experience simpler. And to not repeat the same mistakes we have made in the past. At least all of this normally useless knowledge can help you guys. Thats why I tell people to ask questions, because we want to help the best we can.

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No Kidding, Iv'e gone through 3 cams before I settled on this custom grind. Needless to say I want my second cam back now for cruising, but when it's go time and the bottle is open, this cam is more than acceptable.

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23:23] blkIROC355: sometimes when i pee i make that sound the light sabers make
[23:23] SpecialK LS1: lmao
[23:23] blkIROC355: and play with the stream
[23:23] SpecialK LS1: that's just wrong