Thank you guys sooooo much. So what does the removal of air silencer do then?

and the MAF kit is better than going with a CAI? Why is that? And I would love to get a chip, however, the thing is brand new (700miles on it) and came iwth a 5yr warrenty that I don't want to mess up, won't a chip mess that up?

 

The air silencer is kinda like a snorkel that goes from your air box into your fenderwell. It was put there just for what it's name implies, to quiet the motor down. On GT's and Cobras the silencer imposes a bigger restriction than on the V6. Some 6's get a couple of hp by yanking it, some loose hp. Besides a CAI or the MAF kit eliminates the factory air box anyway. Most CAI's have a 90 bend right before the MAF meter, which actually throws all the air to one side and throws your MAF reading off a little. If you've ever seen a stock MAF (I believe 2001 or 2002 and up are plastic, correct me if I'm wrong) it has a big post down the center of it. The 73mm MAF really isn't any bigger, it just doesn't have a big restriction in the middle. I've heard an honest 12 rwhp (not manufacturer's claim) from these things. I think there are some densechargers or what not that you can get that are straight instead of bent so you can use that with an aftermarket MAF.
The chip will supposedly not void your warranty. At any rate it won't be worse for the warranty than an exhaust or a CAI and besides all you have to do is pull it out if you're going to the dealership for warranty work. Or even better if you get a hypertech or something like that all you do is plug it back in and return the computer to stock. One thing about the chip is that it remaps your timing and fuel curves so you need 93 octane (91 octane in some places?) or your motor won't be happy. But that's how it makes more power, too.

 

Wow...so much to learn...

 

Is that JULY 17th??

 

Dr. Iven...good call...changing it now!

 

And, as far as the chip goes... get one, get it tuned, get a dyno tune, and when you take it to the dealer for warranty stuff, take it out. I don't think it's hard to get to on the V6.

Is the car a manual or automatic? A chip can make a HUGE difference if it's automatic. Even on a manual, you'll see a difference. But, it'll change your shift points and how hard the tranny shifts, helping in lightning quick auto shifts. I have one on my Mark VIII, and it has probably lowered my 1/4 mile time by .4 seconds.

 

Justin...yeah, it's an auto. I will have to look into some chips, which do you (and the site) suggest I get?

 

From my experience, as well as others', I'd order one from Dennis Reinhart. I believe he uses Diablo chips, and has a sweet custom program where he can adjust the parameters of how you want everything. If you want max gas mileage, he'll hook you up, if you want harder shifts at a higher RPM when you floor it, he'll hook you up, and he'll get the fuel/air mixture perfect. Of course, almost any chip and chip programmer will do this, but he has a big giant history of customer satisfaction and if anything isn't right after you install the chip (rarely ever), he'll pay shipping costs and reflash it for you to fix it until you like it. He's real real short on the phone, but he's always like that.

Here's his website:
Reinhart Automotive

But, just go with whatever chip you think'll be just fine for you, and I'm sure they'll all be good regardless.

Superchips seem to work well for most people.