Ok I got a new 05 GTO with a SAP and the wheel package, what is best to upgrade.

Cams and Headers? and please help me out, im a car idiot, just know mine is hot and fast. What are Cams and Headers and what are some good quality ones and the pricing on them

Well first off you should learn about what they are before you go off buying things. Check out howstuffworks.com for some info.

Cams...short for camshafts...are grooved rods that when turned open and close the valves that let air/fuel into the cylinders. This can be done a number of ways, with over the head cam configureation (ford 4.6 V8s engine, Northstars, almost all inline 4 engines, most import V6s) or with a cam in block configureing, or a.k.a. a pushrod engine.

The GTO is a pushrod engine, meaning that instead of 1 or two cams above the heads, there is 1 cam sitting in the middle of the engine that controls the valves via. pushrods. This has some advantages and disadvantages, but its not an old technoledgy.

A camshaft is something to seriouslly look at before changing as it drastically can change how the car performs at full throttle, and everyday driving, it is essentially the mechanical brain of your engine.

Headers on the other hand are a performance exhaust part that replaces the part closest to the engine. These are pipes that run from each cylinder down to a collector underneath the car, this works vs a exhaust manifold because a manifold has each bank of cylinders connected to 1 pipe all the way back to the muffler, vs. Headers which each cylinder gets its own.

Headers are a less complicated mod but still something you shouldn't worry about to much, some of the other members on here can give you good advice on what to get.

Sorry Noc, I misphrased my question, I really wanted to know what they do as in , more hp, better gas mileage, more stablization. As to the installastion, I have 6 friends who building cars, who can help me/do it. Ill prob take them out to lunch for the help.

I need to figure this out too. All I really want is more HP. I dont want to try any of the work myself, but want to direct whatever shop I use specifically which parts to install. So where to start? What will give me the most gains for the least amount of cash (parts and labor cost to install)?
So far, on here I have read about somekind of CAI and Magnaflow exhaust systems w/headers. The cam sounds like more cost and complication. For a non-tech like me who would like more power, and could care less about preserving the stock quality of my M6 05 GTO, it isnt clear where to start spending.

arsonandy

Your goals sound similar to mine. My plan (if I can save up the cash) is to go with headers and a tune and an exhaust. I already have the CAI. I figure that will put me in the neighborhood of 400 HP. So just guesstimating 1200 for headers/cats, 400-500 for a tune/tuner program and 500 to 600 for exhaust(I might not even do this one). Price is around 2000-2300 for parts. Labor of course will cost a little more. I'm just not ready to break into the engine yet. Someday heads and a cam will come but later.

Just a thought for you to think about, how much HP are you looking for?

according to LS2 engine specs, I already have 400HP. There may also be a difference on how to approach the mods on my 05 versus your 04. Still, if 2K plus labor will get me 50 more hp, this doesnt sound too bad! Is the CAI the easiest first move?

Oops, you're talking 05 and I'm talking 04. I think our goals are similar though. You'll have to check the prices on 05 headers, intake and tuning. Add an exhaust into that mix and I'm sure you'd be at 450 crank horsepower with your 05.

And yes the CAI is the easiest "bolt on" mentioned above. Of course a hand held tuner is even easier but would probably be more worthwhile after intake and headers. Just a thought. :)

The K&N CAI claim is 13 to 14 RWHP gain on the '05, for about 250 bucks. It was easy to install and I've noticed a nice difference. The "RIDE" at about 4500 miles seems to be broken in fine and runnin out great. I've always wanted to supercharge a Goat, so my next power upgrade is to save some cash and wait for one to be released, that replaces the intake manifold. B)

main things u might want to start off with is intake and exhaust , have the motor breath. k&n intake or what ever u go with fig like been said $250 ?,me im waiting for a company in aust to get there prototype ready. as for exhaust headers and cat back . me i have corsa touring i paid $1k has good sound , headers i plan on going with dynatech headers which include the high flow cats. price $1395 both headers and corsa are stainless steel. which is what i want .no rusting. there are cheaper set ups but its all what u want and can afford.im buying a little at a time. then after all that i plan on getting it tuned . well good luck in what ever u deside to do.