The reason I mentioned the turbo is because you can up the boost and tune with a reflash, possibly (usually) giving the car a 25+ hp gain. On a naturally aspirated car, you'll be lucky to see a 20hp gain without a built block or using a higher octane.

HFC/test pipe or not, you might get an extra horsepower or two with headers...

 

05 coupe 6 m/t

w/ Strup Headers, FI Metal Cats and FI intim Exhaust

On for over a year now, no regrets, runs and sounds awesome.

 

That could be mental. A sound increase and anticipation that a mod will add performance often mask the lack of gains. It has been documented quite extensively that ram airs (hot air intakes) lose power on these cars. It's unfortunate, but if you like the sound, then keep it.

If you are only doing an intake, spacer, and HFC's the flash could probably wait. It would add some power, but it would really make a difference with an exhaust. I would REALLY recommend that you add an exhaust to your list.

What model and year is your car? Sedan, coupe, auto manual, etc.?

 

Technically, the short rams will work better until it becomes heat soaked. Cold air intakes may be good too, but the longer tubing takes away from the low end.

 

i have an 04 coupe 6mt. and i put a short ram in because i heard bad stuff about cold air intakes...how they are so low if u hit a puddle they get water locked..i live by seattle so we get alot of water and puddles.

 

If you have a bypass filter and change your oil often, you shouldn't have to worry about it... I've driven my CAI (without any covers or wheelwell liner) through enough water that my motor should have choked and died... no problems so far... (although I took out the CAI for a short ram this winter because I can't use a stock box)

 

lets add another, here's my suggestion:

-get high flow cats and some form of exhaust (duals or if you stick with OEM like design dont forget a new y-pipe).
-intake plenum spacer, z-tube, high quality dry air filter for OEM box...if you insist on an intake, get the Stillen with the cover.
-grounding kit (cheap and never hurts)
-get it tuned by technosquare or Osiris-UpRev, both can go to an FI tune easily.

since you said FI was a future option, I wouldnt spend the money on headers, unless you think you will go with a super charger system. if you go that route you'll want to buy headers to maximize you're exhaust system. Turbo systems wont use typical headers so dont worry about them if you choose a turbo system.

hope that helps.