[TheRedBeast]

I have an '04 Titan, completely stock, that I've been intending on modding for some time now (she's been my baby for a little more than a year now). Anyway, like I said, I'm just starting out and I'd love some of your opinions on this stuff.
I've already decided on a JBA Evol Exhaust system thanks to toomnymods and others, but that'll come a bit later. First, I'm planning on putting in a CAI, but I'm unsure of which would be better. Right now, I'm considering either an AEM Brute Force or an Ingen Powerflow. From a post below, I've gathered these stats:
AEM Brute Force Intake System
HP: 17.9 hp @ 3750 RPM
TQ: 25.0 lb-ft @ 3750 RPM
50 State Legal : Pending
MSRP: $373.23
Street Price: $260
vs.
Injen Powerflow
HP: 28 hp
TQ: 43 lb-ft
50 State Legal: Unknown
MSRP: Unknown
Street Price: $370.
On its face, it appears the Ingen puts up much more impressive numbers, but I've lived long enough to know that stats may not necessarily be the whole story. I'd love to hear from y'all on your opinions regarding these based on performance, quality, best bang for the buck (although if the Ingen really does put out numbers like it appears to vs the AEM, I wouldn't mind spending a little extra).
On another note, I'm also considering headers. I'm considering the JBA headers versus the Stillen headers. How do they compare performance-wise? I noticed that the Stillens are a bit more expensive than the JBAs (less so as you upgrade the finishes) and they also appear to be a bit illegal for street-use. If you have the Stillens, what do you do when inspection time comes around? Just take them off? If so, how much of a pita is it taking them out and then back in?

I know this post was a bit long, but then again, I am just starting out and may not be as mechanically gifted as some of you due to a childhood spent on other things, so I really appreciate any help you all can give me.

 

[TheRedBeast]

Thanks for the rather immediate responses, everybody. I guess now I'm mainly considering the AEM Brute Force or the S&B (never really took much notice of them until now). Titanss, the first link was very informative. Seems to me like those two are really probably the best bang for the buck; the hard part will be choosing between them now.
As for the headers...any comments on the Stillen vs JBAs?

Also concerning Uprev, I'd love to get it...the price is just a bit intimidating right now. It sounds great from what I hear about it though. I'm a bit confused as to the procedure though. Do you actually ship your truck's ECU to the Uprev people and have 'em do their magic and they ship it back to you with the program? I looked at their site and being the non-technical guy I am, I don't really understand what it all involves. Also another...more trivial issue: can you use something other than the cruise control buttons to change maps? I'm a bit fond of those actually especially on long trips.
Sorry if I sound ignorant, but I am just learning so please do have patience with me.

 

[TheRedBeast]

Alright...so can I take that to mean that I could adjust the ECU for whatever mods I get? I'm a bit confused because I see people like toomnymods having the Uprev people work on that themselves?

Anyway, as for the $300 option, I assume you just tell them what mods you have and they work with that?

From what I can understand, the $700 option is the best for the money...plus I'd hate to be stranded without an ECU for however many days they needed to reflash it.

 

[TheRedBeast]

Thanks for all the invaluable help. Uprev is sounding extremely attractive right now. I'd heard it was great and all, but I wasn't sure what all it entailed. Like you suggested, I'm gonna get the intake and exhaust before and just enjoy it for a while, and then once I'm ready, I'll go ahead and get Uprev with the Osiris software.
I think I'm pretty much gonna get the S&B's for my intake. They sound really nice and are also among the cheapest of the CAIs out there. As for the headers, I'll probably get me some JBA's so that I don't have to worry about passing inspection and so on. Can't wait to get the exhaust either. I'm definitely ready for something different.
Anyway, again, thanks all for your help. Hopefully, soon my truck will be able to deserve its name among you folks (not just only among my friends with their fords, chevys, and dodges).

 

[TheRedBeast]

By the way, one last thing...what if any maintenance is the CAI gonna need?