for what it's worth....
make a plan. (here is a little on mine)
you know it is your daily driver, so, weekend jobs only, right?
Gears are my first choice, the car felt completely different and WAY better. does not even compare to stock gear performance.
then, jack it up and start swapping exhaust parts, back to front I think. might not help out as much as the propagandy posts, but will help down the road. then, open up the intake side. after all this - heads of course (unless you come across a decent priced set then jump on them).
thing is, you can nickle and dime yourself to the poor house with bolt ons. All the little stuff together adds up quick - and by then, you could have bought a set of heads - which I am guessing will outperform the bolt on combo you just dropped a grand on. So - instead of buying a full exhaust system for maybe $650 - the gains will be about what nice heads will give you, and when you finally get the smaller stuff it will work MUCH better. And don't think you need to buy $1200 AFR's or something, a fresh set of ported GT40's will do you nice. You said you are not building a race car, right? people go hi 12's on ported E7TE's and bolt on's.
Either way you will want it all, so look for the deals and start checking things off the list! don't be afraid of used parts either - ask around to know what to look for and what to ask...
personally - I would get gears then do heads. a lot will argue this, but why not get them out of the way up front and then tinker with bolt-ons. you have a lot of miles, your springs are probably weak, seals may be leaking, etc.
After doing my heads - the engine sounds and performs like a different car.
Gears and heads are the only thing I can say that will change your ride - 'cept of course nitrous or a blower.
am I still typing?
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