Robb,
If you want to really post a hp gain for small $$$, get the KKM intake. I've got a 98.5 SE V6, and I put the KKM on at around 75k--haven't been sorry for it even once. You'll get a lot more than 5-10, even with the stock exhaust/muffler. I rounded it out by picking up a used SVT cat-back exhaust and I love love love it all. All told spent about $250 on parts, and it transformed my car. I agree--I'm in the "hate the fart cannons" camp (that looks like one to me) and I cringe when I see one on a Contour--KKM + SVT exhaust makes for a nice low growling rumble, awesome performance increase, and always puts a smile on my face that widens as the RPM's climb.
Check out my car here. Steve
