need expert help b4 dishing out cash

i recently ran across a cam powerpackage that includes the following

Skunk2 Stage 2 Cams
Skunk2 Silver Cam Gears
Skunk2 Valve Springs and Retainers
Toda Timing Belt
Golden Eagle Cam Seal

now my question to you is........... what are all the other hidden cost of things i would need to get to make this a safe reliable investment, be streetable and run on 93 octane

i have a skunk2 ecu as an add in

would i need higher compression pistons to make the most of this setup?
if so should i go JE or CTR (or any other good aftermarket pistons) or would ITR pistions suffice?

2nd my "high performance honda builder handbook" told me that after market intake manifolds and throttle bodies so u no good and offer only part throttle performace, but at WOT the air flow is limited to how much air the motor turly uses (head,cam,itake,exhuast flow permits", but since i would be changeing the lift and duration of the motor would these be good investments or are they only needed in full race cam applications?

3rd would i need a vtec controller and fuel pressor regulator to tune the amount of fuel needed to properly fuel this new amount of air intake? or would having the ECU i mentioned above already do this for me?

4th i am still using my stock header because i have not altered anything on my motor enough to permit a less restrictive exhuast flow, so i should also add a header to my list of parts needed right?......also since the stage 2 cam is setup for mid to top end power, would it be a good bet to 4-2-1 to aid the mids and lows?

anything else that needs to be touched on please add because i have every intention of saving enough money till i can do everything right the first time :) thanks



p.s. if everything i have stated is completely false and redundant please do not hesitate to tell me, i will not be offened i will be thankful

What motor do you have? B16a, B18c1 (GS-R)?
Shouldn't be any hidden costs, that should cover all the parts you need for the head; other than installation. Higher compression pistons would definently be a good idea to make better use of the cams, you'll see more gains for sure. I wouldn't think the octane level you use would be effected by just cams. But which pistons you use depends on what compression ratio you're planning to go with. If you're going to use either the CTR or ITR pistons; here is a couple sites that do a basic (basic as in it woun't be 100% accurate) compression calculation: http://www.c-speedracing.com/howto/compcalc/compcalc.php http://www.bojangs.com/calculator/
As for the IM and throttle body, if you did al lthe work (cams and pistons etc) then you'd probably see some gains; couldn't hurt to help your motor pull air in better for the cam to move. I'm sure you'd see more gains from them if you had some crazier cams in there but you should see something. Your ECU will definently help get more gas to the motor, so I don't think you'd need a fuel pressure regulator but again it'd probably be a good idea. If you're planning on getting the car dyno tuned then a vtec controller would be a good idea, just so you could get the best settings possible. And a header would definently be a good idea, especially if you get an aftermarket IM. You'll always see hp gains from a header if you're doing head work. As for 4-1 or 4-2-1 I don't know what to tell ya; I've read too many contradictions on which is better. But if you can't find a good one for $300-350 then I'd suggest going with a '98 ITR header; I've heard nothing but good things about them. I'm sure most of the info I've given is accurate if not all; but if by chance I'm wong I'm sure you'll get the right answer as well as getting to see me get ripped apart ;) You also may want to think about posting this in the Honda/Acura technical forum, you're likely to get more hits and more info there.
Also just a little note; I've seen dyno sheets online that have the stage 2 making more hp than the stage 3 cams.

b18c1 for a note