A few simple questions needing a few simple answers
 

A few questions for the gurus!

I'm looking to get some more out of my '05 RX-8, its got 45,000 miles and its stock

An acquaintance of mine that works with rotary engines told me that I should look in to getting the following, but I want second opinions before I spend my monies.

Air Box
Ignition Advance
Cat Back Exhaust

What do each of these do exactly. I know what an exhaust system does but what I really want to know is about the air box and ignition advance. I really don't have a clue as to what these do.

Also I was looking at getting the Racing Beat REVi Intake and REVi Ram Air Duct. Any thoughts? Suggestions?

I have looked at headers and such... what will these do for me?

A Racing Beat exhaust is also in the plans.

Honestly, I want a car that sounds like I have done something to it, but I'm trying to avoid the "burping/duck call/crap" sound that alot of the tuner cars sound like. I guess all in all I'm wanting a good "HHHHMMMMM" sound.

Yes, I'm a a noob and thats why I'm here asking these questions.

I'm waiting some better performance and a louder yet sophisticated sounding engine. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Just look up "intake" and "ignition timing" on wikipedia to get an idea what these things are for. A lot easier than having a guru (not me) explain things that have been explained in other places.

The Racing Beat intake and exhaust will definitely give you a great sound that is nowhere near "burping/duck call/crap". Both will give a more deep non-raspy sound, with the level of noise more mild, and more "sophisticated" I think in your sense, than intakes and exhausts of other companies (check youtube videos!). After installing the duct there is an air sucking sound at the front of the car that sounds sick! The Revi is the best intake on the market IMO that gives best average power, even if it isn't too much (~2 hp). The Racing Beat exhaust will give you around 3-5 hp, overall barely feelable gains.

Regarding ignition advance, I would just get Racing Beat's street flash, which optimizes mainly the air-fuel ratios mostly above 4K rpms. You will feel the mosts gain with this mod. According to Racing Beat during the development of their flash, there was no room for improvement in the ignition timing.

As of now I don't think there are headers that will give you a significant gain.