Zzp, overkill is arguing apple and android.
I dont agree i have seen files from Intense, ZZP, and Overkill and Overkill by far does a lot more work in the file and makes some changes that greatly improve safety of the engines. I think the correct analogy is:
"Box tunes are the Free phone with a new contract, Overkill is the upgraded phone for $50 and Custom tuning is your Apple/Droid 4G LTE-LMNOP!"
I am listening but most are just going by what they read just like me. ... i figured the 160 degree stat would keep me from KR a little more, they say you can use a 160 on a 1998 so why run a 180 ? Who do i have reflash the PCM some bad reviews on zzp and overkill so who?
1) Most of us have done these mods before and have first hand experience. I for instance have tune a great number of these cars over the past 8 years and have seen a lot of vendor "box" pcm's and the results of their tunes. In addition to the tuning I tried 160's,180's,195's stats, Mafs with and without screens, external mafs that have been ported for flow, different air intake designs, and have experience with friends installing rockers, cams, ported and North star TB's, pulleys, and more. We are not here to bash you... well im sure there are some who are... but most of us arent. you asked the question we give answer... either take the advice or not. ask questions and learn from our mistakes and accomplishments.
2) 160* stats will not lower the temp much without adjusting the fan turn on/off temps in the pcm. when the engine is in the 160* range fueling settings change. a 180* is what most use and with proper fan settings the temp will be in the 176-199 temp range which will keep fuel settings more consistent.
3)Read above on PCM's if getting mail order i would go with Overkill. If you have someone close to you who can tune... deff go that way.
The talk about headers should not be brushed off either. I know you say you can weld and do the work on the cat back. the stock exhaust has been seen to not be a restriction until well over 300 hp. changing your system will not give much if any performance. the restrictions in the stock exhaust are: 1) exhaust manifolds 2) U-bend just after the cat 3) down pipe. By getting a set of headers you remove all three. and for the price of the Speed Daddy Headers you just cant beat them. i got mine for $180 shipped
all of this information is in that Safely Modding your 3800 thread.