What are some easy ways to increase horse power and gas mileage on my 97 accord 4cyl special edition? I was told that if I unbolt the exhaust pipes after the headers I would gain both HP and gas mileage and than I could just bolt them right back on while they are still under my car to pass inspection. I do not know much about cars.
Thanks
Brad

Who ever told you that, don't listen to anything else they every tell you!!! There are many things you can do but when you say cheap, what does cheap mean to you?

A $100 cheap. I have the short ram intake with the filter. So that wouldn't work buy having the exhaust exit right there. What about open headers, is that the same thing? Does that mean that you just let the exhaust exit right after the headers? I really do not know much about engines.

A "free flow exhaust" does help power and milage, BUT if you lose too much back pressure it will have the opposite effect. You want an exhaust that is designed for your car and tested to produce more power and milage. But for $100 you can't do much. You can buy a universal muffler and some universal pipe and clamp it together but It probably won't look pretty. If you remove your cat you will have more problems than you want to deal with.