Budget upgrades for '77 350 rocket

[JohnnyFriday]

Im wanting to do some upgrades for my '77 cutlass but will be severely limited in budget. Im thinking basically just exhaust and air cleaner atm. (forgive my naivete, Im not a gearhead... yet)

This is what Im looking at, keep in mind this will be a daily driver and Iowa winters=slush w/ salt for about 4 months of the year. So if anything I list would not last long at all just let me know.

"steel" hedman headers (painted)
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HED-58060/


Header back exhaust systems: 2.25 or 2.5"
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-680100/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-680121/

Air cleaner:(Cant find the standard circle one I had been looking at, but same principle)(suggestions?)

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/HOL0/120141.oap?year=1977&make=Oldsmobile&model=Cutlass%2BSupreme&vi=1222030&partType=02425&parentPartType=C0023

If I were to take the headers and headers back exhaust kit to an exhaust place, how much do you think they would charge to slap it all together and mount it? Are there two cats on the '77 350? If not, do you think running a no cat exhaust would be asking for a fine? If there are two cats, what do you think they would charge to implement them into the above headers/full exhaust system. How much HP do you think id gain? The 350 seems a bit gutless right now.

[Doug Blake]

Too bad you can't park the '77 till April, and get some puddle jumper that gets good mpg for the winter time!

If your going to headers, get the Ceramic coated. Especially if you plan on driving it in the salty winter roads. And 2.5" exhaust system, even worth getting an X-Pipe. '76-77 Cutlass only came with 1 big converter.

The air cleaner like: Moroso #66310, or Summit's #239431?

Also your 77 probably has 2.41 gears like my 2 77 442's had. Change them out to like 3.23-3.42 for better acceleration, and still good hwy runnin.

[JohnnyFriday]

Turns out someone scrapped the cat and just welded some pipes with mufflers on them. I might actually leave it alone now that ive looked at it.

[ebayalias]

Go to a junkyard and find a V-8 Cutlass with an A4 intake manifold. It's stamped into the top. Concensus is that these are as good as a Performer manifold. These were early to mid 80's aluminum manifolds. Add a set of duals, with headers if you can afford them, and toy with your advanceweights in the distributor and you are ready to roll. Maybe a nice synthetic oil too

[W451973]

What are your future plans for the car ?

[JohnnyFriday]

Right now I am getting the exhaust manifold gaskets replaced and also the doughnuts. They were blown out. I will then be focusing on the exterior cosmetic issues. Ill probably be adding some sheet metal to the one major area of rust damage. I'm not sure exactly what you mean, it will be my nice weather driver when I get it done.(Im not crazy about all original restorations, and I don't think it would be worth it or prudent with this car)

[atmosse09]

Thanks LuJon

Ive been looking it over when I have a free moment and it looks like retro fitting a new suspension wouldnt be very difficult. Also thinking I might be better off getting a newer sled for myself.