got 600 bucks to blow, what to buy

If you do cams, you will need to re-tune for your car to idle properly. So you may have to get the cams AND programmer if you do cams. Just something to think about.

Everything I've heard about the SCT Xcalibrator 2 has been positive. It can also datalog if you ever need to pull computer codes or diagnose an engine tune or performance problem.