increasing horsepower

[stooge3]

Hello,

I'm new to the forum today, and need advice. Is there an economical way for me to increase the horsepower of my Silverado 4.3 liter v-6 without voiding my warranty?

Thanks, Joe

:head:

[snoman]

That is a trick question as there is no cheap power. One thing that will help a lot would be to install deepers gearing in the axles if your stock one are tall (like 3.42) and or you are using oversized tires.

[ChevyMuscle]

A new intake and exhaust are fairly cheap mods that can also increase gas mileage. Along with this, you should get a Westers' Chip which will fine tune your truck to give maximum performance and gas mileage. (ecmprogrammer.com)

One thing that is definitely not cheap is changing your rearend ratio. I would only recommend a rearend change if you're looking at racing or want a good step up from where your truck is at now performance wise. Doing this however, is not ecomically-friendly.

[stooge3]

Thanks for the replies!

How much of a gain can I expect by adding a new intake and exhaust.? I just want a ballpark figure. I know this will vary depending on what type of components I use.

Thanks

[snoman]

Originally posted by ChevyMuscle


One thing that is definitely not cheap is changing your rearend ratio. I would only recommend a rearend change if you're looking at racing or want a good step up from where your truck is at now performance wise. Doing this however, is not ecomically-friendly.

This is wrong on both acounts. You do not have to race to benifit for it and it will not effect gas mileage unless you go real deep for tire size. If he has a stock 3.42 and jumps up to a 4.10 with that v6, he might even see a mileage increase as engine will have to work far less hard in OD to haul it down the road A gear change would cost less than a new intake and exhaust and yeild far more gains in the "seat of the pants" than your suggested mods. A few hours on the rack for a gear change and you will think you got a engine transplant! Least us not forget that intake and exhaust changes could very well throw emmisions into disarray too which is bad if they check them like some states do. I have seen truck owner with greatly oversized tires eat tranny failures under warrenty when stock gearing is present because of extra load it places on tranny. If you change gearing with increased tire size to keep in "balanced" they cannot fuss much about it then.

[SolMan98]

well there ya have it, confused yet?

what do you want first in your truck? you want to feel, see, or hear the power? :piggy:

[snoman]

Yes, there is no easy solution pricewise.

[socalsilverado]

new gear ratio will give you the most noticeable performance increase...especially if you are running ( or plan to run) larger tires

[snoman]

Originally posted by socalsilverado
new gear ratio will give you the most noticeable performance increase...especially if you are running ( or plan to run) larger tires

Yes, without doubt. You will see the difference with first drive after the mod.

[stooge3]

Thanks for all of the ideas guys! I now need to think about what I want to do.


Thanks

:think:

[ChevyMuscle]

Originally posted by snoman
This is wrong on both acounts. You do not have to race to benifit for it and it will not effect gas mileage unless you go real deep for tire size. If he has a stock 3.42 and jumps up to a 4.10 with that v6, he might even see a mileage increase as engine will have to work far less hard in OD to haul it down the road A gear change would cost less than a new intake and exhaust and yeild far more gains in the "seat of the pants" than your suggested mods. A few hours on the rack for a gear change and you will think you got a engine transplant! Least us not forget that intake and exhaust changes could very well throw emmisions into disarray too which is bad if they check them like some states do. I have seen truck owner with greatly oversized tires eat tranny failures under warrenty when stock gearing is present because of extra load it places on tranny. If you change gearing with increased tire size to keep in "balanced" they cannot fuss much about it then.

The experience I have had with gear changes were pretty expensive. Oh well...

[socalsilverado]

it depends...for a 2wd...you can regear for around 400-500 dollars. This is definitely worth the money. An intake system, headers, and exhaust will produce horsepower, but if your gearing is off...it won't help much.

[snoman]

Originally posted by socalsilverado
it depends...for a 2wd...you can regear for around 400-500 dollars. This is definitely worth the money. An intake system, headers, and exhaust will produce horsepower, but if your gearing is off...it won't help much.

That actuall parts are around a $150. The rest would be labor unlsee you have a friend that knows how to do it.

[stooge3]

Does anyone have any experience with electronic programmers? If so, what kind of gains did you get from using one?

Thanks

[CasterTroy]

Where does one GET the components to change out the gearing? and will this cause the engine to run at a higher RPM at normal speed? (65)

[bigredtrk1991]

If your going to go through the trouble to get new gears, look into a posi unit. That way you won't have to pay for the gear install twice!
Also, depending on your gear selection, you might have to get a new carrier. If you need a new carrier, you might as well get the posi....

[wkdspd]

Originally posted by stooge3
Does anyone have any experience with electronic programmers? If so, what kind of gains did you get from using one?

Thanks

check here: http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=109679


Originally posted by castertroy
Where does one GET the components to change out the gearing? and will this cause the engine to run at a higher RPM at normal speed? (65)

a great selection of gears and all related equipment can be had pretty cheap from Summit (www.summitracing.com) or Jeg's (www.jegs.com) mail order companies. if you go with a higher numerical gear than stock, then your engine will rotate faster than normal to maintain a given speed - this will get you out of the hole faster, but will lower your achievable top speed. I think what snoman is trying to say is that if you have a larger than stock diameter wheel/tire combination, then you can offset the lower numerical final drive ratio you have created by swapping to a higher gear - this will bring your final drive back closer to stock and maintain fuel consumption. if you raise your final drive ratio however, you can definitely experience a drop in mileage, and your motor will have to spin faster to maintain speed.

[97Chebbie]

The mod that made the most difference for my truck was performance PCM tuning. Gears and definately a posi, if you don't already have one would prolly also be good. I want to get new gears, a Transgo shift kit, and maybe even a higher stall torque convertor, but I don't have the $$ :bawl: :piggy:.....especially w/ college around the corner. Dang fees, tuition, books, and housing! :cussing:

[bggrnchvy]

Snoman you preach that no one should play with the smog system on a vehicle because the company spent a lot of money figuring out what works best. Well why should it be any different for gears. If you coud get better fuel economy and better power to the ground with just using a different comercially avaliable part don't u think the big three would do this!!! Motors have a power band and going outside it does wierd things to mileage, could hurt a lot, could hurt a little. I know u realize this, I'm trying to understand why you apply two types of thinking to a very similiar problem.

[retorq]

Who said jumping up a ratio or two is putting you outside the power band of the stock engine?? I've seen many vehicles respond well and not loose fuel economy.

[97Chebbie]

Originally posted by bggrnchvy
Snoman you preach that no one should play with the smog system on a vehicle because the company spent a lot of money figuring out what works best. Well why should it be any different for gears. If you coud get better fuel economy and better power to the ground with just using a different comercially avaliable part don't u think the big three would do this!!! Motors have a power band and going outside it does wierd things to mileage, could hurt a lot, could hurt a little. I know u realize this, I'm trying to understand why you apply two types of thinking to a very similiar problem.
Changing to lower gears doesn't always have a bad effect. It's all about how you drive. GM doesn't setup vehicles for the maximum performance they are capable of. They setup vehicles for the "average" consumer, so if you wanna drive like a bat out of he!!, then all the components in the vehicle may not suit you. If GM knew what was best for me when they build my truck, then why did I gain 25HP when I got my PCM reprogrammed. It's because average drivers don't want a hard-launching, firm shifting, speed machine. They want something that drives smooth, but can tow stuff too. That's the whole reason for the aftermarket, so those who want performance can get it.

Sorry for the long post, but I'm at work and bored. Just a couple more posts like this and it'll be time to leave. :D BTW, this is not a flame, but just my $0.02.