You're right about the MIL'S but unless you are getting rid of your cats altogether you shouldn't need them. Do you have a 5 speed or an auto? If you have a 5 speed I wouldn't mess with a performance chip. It will help a tad with an auto but for the money you'd spend it would be worth just saving for something else. Chips won't give you nearly the gains that they claim unless you are having one custom burned after some serious mods. Most people will suggest that you start with some gears - nothing less than 3:73's for a 5 speed. They should cost you around $400 installed (roughly) and will really wake the car up. Keep in mind as well that simply swapping out the exhuast from the cats back will not really net you any hp. It's pretty much a "sound" mod. That in conjunction with a hiflow X or H pipe will help a lot.
Brett
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66 Tahoe Turquoise Coupe
Laser Red 96GT Ragtop
30 Years & 30 inches apart in the driveway!