I got the ceramic coated BBKs for $400 on ebay (brand new). Me and a friend finally got around to installing them. Took us 10 hours over a 2 day period on a chasis lift in the Auto Hobby shop (nice being in the military). Only spent $25 for use of the lift. Anyways, we ended up using the BBK gaskets- smeared RTV on both sides and so far, no leaks!!!! They're not so bad after all. Once installed, I drove it with open headers to the local muffler shop- boy that was loud- lucky I didn't get pulled over. They cut down my magnaflow x-pipe w/cats to match up with the headers, and I must say they did a fantastic job. Labor for that was only $80- much cheaper than buying a new shorty x-pipe with cats. The car sounds incredible right now. It actually sounds quieter and smoother now. Yet on the top end sounds like a race car. And as an added bonus- 2000 rpm exhaust drone is totally eliminated!!!!!! The cabin is amazingly quiet on the highway now. As for the power increase....the best way I can describe it is that it feels like the displacement has increased- Similar to when I drove my friends firehawk. Overall, I'm very pleased with this mod. Yes, dropping the k-member is a PITA- but well worth it. 
