Aftermarket Intake manifold or OEM?

[TLEarl]

My 1997 CTD is and EGR model that has the EGR deleted. I know that the EGR intake manifold is really restrictive and have heard that the stock non-EGR is better than the EGR. My question is which should I get, a stock non-EGR or spend a little more on an aftermarket such as an AFE bladerunner. Is there going to be a really big difference between replacing my EGR manifold with a non-EGR or with an aftermarket. I am not looking to get huge performance gains or turn it into anything other than a DD so I am not sure if the extra $ on an aftermarket would be worth it.

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

If you're basically at stock power the aftermarket ones won't make enough of a noticeable difference to justify the cost. I have seen some decent ones on eBay for around $160 which is what I did for my '98

[TLEarl]

OK, thanks Vaughn, that definately helps me in my decision as I have done minor tweaks to the power through the free AFC mods, stock plate and AFC housing slid all the way forward. Still tuning the preboost, but it made an noticable difference. I plan on grinding my plate to a 10 but I need to upgrade my automatic tranny before I add any more power. So I think I will save up the extra $130 or so and just get a AFe intake manifold then since after the tranny mods I want more power!