What's The Best Cheap Performance Upgrade???

[mporter25]

I'm looking for anything to boost the HP in my 2000 4.3L Sierra. It started out as your typical "landscaping truck" (white, standard cab, long bed, hardly any options) and it's starting to look a lot better. In addition, I've installed an AFE filter under the hood and put a Denali exhaust tip on, but that's about it for performance.

 

Now for the kicker, I go to college and money is tight.

 

So what's the best way to get a little bit more power out of the engine? Cut the catalytic out, cheap ECU chip, etc. etc. etc. I figured I'd come to you all before I do something really stupid and spend thousands fixing my mistakes.

 

I'd appreciate any help.

[snoman]

Stupid would be cutting cat out and such as they flow quite well. It depends on how you difine performance and how you truck is geared stock. If it has like 3.42 gears in it, there are no mods that you will even bolt on short of a 4000 buck supercharger that will really give that truck a kick in the butt. If it has at least 3.73 or better it might respond to a "chip" tuning and better exhaust. If you truck has tall stock gears, like 3.42, and you gear down to say a 4.10, when you drive it you will think you put a V8 in it!

[cedjunior]

For the guys with the v8's, getting the PCM reprogrammed is usually the first thing they do and its the best bang-for-buck. Not only does it change engine performace, but how your transmission operates as well. I don't know what kind of gains you'd get out of a 4.3, but it would probably be the best bet for you as well.

[Tex2kZR2]

Go with a FIPK,($200+) and a Computer upgrade if you have enough money (HPP3.. etc..) that is the cheapest upgrade to add more power to your vehicle.

 

If you have money after that then you can look at headers and a better exhaust. Do not remove your CAT.

[snoman]

Go with a FIPK,($200+) and a Computer upgrade if you have enough money (HPP3.. etc..) that is the cheapest upgrade to add more power to your vehicle.

 

If you have money after that then you can look at headers and a better exhaust. Do not remove your CAT.

I disagree in that with a small engine the gains are smaller and if you are looking for that big boost, these will not give them to you with a 4.3. IF it has tall gears like 3.42's, dumping them will help that truck far more than any add on or bolt on device.

[Black02Silverado]

A gear swap is a piece of cake. One weekend and the cost of a new gear set and your back on the road.

[snoman]

A gear swap is a piece of cake. One weekend and the cost of a new gear set and your back on the road.

Yes, the nice thing about a 10 bolt is parts are cheap and it is not too hateful to change gears in.

[therock]

First, the cold air intakes are a ripoff unless you have some kind of forced air induction system. I have seen a before and after dyno run that resulted in just under 2 HP at the wheels on a non forced induction vehicle. At over $200.00, it's a rip.

Best bang? I have a 2003 Z71 5.3. MY TRUCK

 

The Nelson Tune is the first thing I should have done. WoW!

 

Also, too much exhaust flow for the HP your motor generates is going to cost you low end power and gas mileage.

 

I had to co-workers roast me hard for modifying my truck. The main comment was, "All that stuff is a bunch of BULL"!

Well I had a chance to get them both at the same time. They were actually conspiring to ambush me. One has a 2000 Z71, and the other a 2002. Both were the same as mine being Z71 extended cabs, 5.3 3.73's. They were both in front of me. When I went buy them from a 20mph punch I was sure they were not even trying. Upon returning to work the next day I was told they had them floor boarded. Now they want all my info!

I love my setup for what it is. Not the average bear if you know what I mean. I freak out lots of cars too. My speed limiter is set to 135mph. Heh Heh!

 

The nelson tune is the best money I have spent. Allen Nelson is great. The install is simple. If you make another mod, tell him and he will ship you another pcm adjusted to it for shipping only. I used to run a Predator hand held programmer. I truly wasted my $$$$ in comparison. I used it to monitor and record my diagnostics of my first tune. Then I sent him the results and he used the info to dial in another pcm to get me spot on. I got the 93 octane tune. I am getting better gas mileage now too.

 

Just do a search HERE, and you will see nothing but positive reviews.