Order of Events...
 

So, it looks like I'm getting some money back from the gov't, thank you tax return! I'm thinking about getting some work done on the Z:
Stillen G3 Intake
FI CBE w/ 12" Resonators
Headers (maybe?)
FI HFC's

I'm not going to do all of it at once (not enough cash), but I'm struggling with what I should do first. I want to do the exhaust first, just because having a better sounding Z would be fun. Then after that, I would do the intake, headers, and HFC later this year (probably all at the same time). I know ideally, itd be better to do all this at once, but money doesn't allow for it right now...

I've never done serious work on a car before, so I don't know if that logic is completely backwards. I'm either going to find a shop that can do the work or I may be able to find a friend that can do it and I can assist. Any tips or suggestions would be helpful, thanks!

Find out your local laws on catalytic converters. For example, in PA you just need to visually have one on your car.

I know with my car when I got my headers it deleted my cat and I was just running test pipes, about a week prior to my inspection I got a hfc and welded it to my headers.

So think about that, I would probably get the cat before or at the same time as the headers, seeing as it's a fairly easy install, and the headers are a PITA and can be pretty expensive if you don't do it yourself.

Other than that it looks about right, get the car breathing better and have some fun!

thanks for the info, that's where i was running into the confusion with the headers. i didn't know if that would delete the cats or how that was set up. i'd most likely just go with the HFC's, but I didn't want to delete the possibility of headers just yet.

It depends on the car, the headers may not delete the cats on the Z that would be better answered by somebody that actually has the Z. My car had the cat welded to the headers.

IIRC, the FI Headers will replace the stock cats. Plan on purchasing one or the other.

Long tube headers replace the cats. So definitely decide if you're going long tube or not. I don't have the luxury since it wouldn't pass emissions in my state. If you're not going long tube, then I'd do HFC's first (which is what I'm doing). It's easily the best bang for the buck mod. Then I'd do cat back, then G3's last.

I dont think I can go with headers, I believe I need the cats in TX, so I'd be going with the HFC's

You technically do, but knowing people is all you need. ;)
If you want to stay legal and add some great power, HFC is where it is, and a great place to start also. HFC, exhaust, intake in that order should get you power, sound, and more. :D