Thanks: From Frank

Hi Phil!

As an owner of an '06 ST, I thank you for posting your vehicle's journal on the web. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of your modifications as you progress on down the road with your ST.

The dyno results from your performance mods are of special interest to me, as they are unbiased (having come from the vehicle's owner himself).

Also, you confirmed my thoughts about the SCT Xcalibrator 2. That unless one is planning on making serious modifications to their vehicle, that the horsepower increases are pretty much nonexistent.

Since I'm only planning on mildly modifying my ST for Test/Tune nights at the drags, the improved "throttle response" is of no real value to me. I'm looking for horsepower numbers, plain and simple. And in this case, the SCT just doesn't deliver.

Thanks for the heads up!

Additionally, I am pleased to see that you were able to make a solid 8 hp on just the intake alone. But seeing that the ST is my only vehicle, I can not justify the purchase of a CAI. The risk of hydrolock might be minimal, but for me, "minimal" just isn't good enough. I will being ordering the Steeda short ram intake tomorrow (no chance of hydrolock, and only $229). The peace of mind that an SRI will give me will more than offset the 2 hp drop that I will be losing to a traditional CAI.

And as far as an exhaust is concerned, a local shop has given me an estimate of $550 to purchase/install a 2 1/4" Magnaflo cat-back system. I think I will be going that route as soon as my Steeda intake is in the vehicle (Racer's Rule Of Thumb: only make ONE mod at a time!).

Well, good luck with your ST Phil! We'll be watching you!