Fellow Monte owners,

This summer, I finally pulled a few extra bucks together to buy a CAI and a ZZP downpipe. With both installed, I'm now looking for some direction.

What would you consider to be a logical next step? The goal is to be able to build up some money over a 4-6 month timeline and drop it on something nice for the car (provided nothing breaks in the meantime), but I'm not sure where to go from here. Tune? Headers? Powerlog? Something else? Idk. Any direction/examples/help appreciated.

Please also include amount of work and/or cost of installation if you make a suggestion I need to know if it's going to be realistic for me.

 

headers would be a waste of money since you just bought a downpipe. Front Powerlog would be good.

ER Rockers with the HV3 insert is a good next step.

Then you can get a tune and be happy. Anything further than that if you want more speed you should look into boost.

 

Looking at those things on ZZP right now. The powerlog is not too pricey - would you get with/without the ceramic coating?

The Rocker price is probably do-able as well - what type of work is involved with putting them on?

 

Oh also, I was wondering about whether or not it was worth it to upgrade the cam as well.

 

CAM or rockers, you have to choose. Rockers are much easier to install but not as good of gains. Rockers are basically removing the valve covers and replacing them. Not a terrible job. CAM is not that easy to install.

Powerlog, I would get ceramic coated or at least stainless steel. Help with the heat.

 

Hm, interesting. So what kinds of gains do you see with rockers vs. cams?

And I'm not properly sure of what a powerlog or HV3 will do for the car, if you would mind enlightening me.

 

A powerlog replaced the restrictive front exhaust manifold so the car can exhale better.

The HV3 replaces the runners in the UIM to add volume and not disrupt air flow.

Rockers allow the valves to stay open a little longer, CAMS do the same thing but they have more control over everything so you can see better gains.

 

Interesting, thanks. I'll probably head in the direction of Rockers and plog, just because I know that's probably something I can do myself and not have to waste money on getting a shop to do it.