Budget Performance Upgrade

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Budget Performance Upgrade

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Blazer >> Modifications >> Performance & Brainstorming >> Headers, Intake, & Exhaust >> Budget Performance Upgrade

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Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/20/2006 3:01:42 PM

PawNtheSandman

Posts: 49
Joined: 4/20/2005
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I have a 98 2dr 4x4 with the 4.3l V6 auto, 77k mi.

It is completely stock. If you had a budget of around $1000, what would be the first performance bolt ons you would do?

I was thinking CAI, underdrive pullys, and new muffler/exhaust.

What else would you do? I would assume a new throttle body, but I haven't seen any bigger ones for this engine. Also I am figuring if I am doing intake and exhaust, I would also need new headers. I have no problem with everything else, but I never installed headers before, so it this something easy to do or would I be better off taking it to a shop? For the exhaust, I want a straight up bolt on replacement, no welding.

In the end, would the performance boost from the above really be worth putting $1000 into a SUV that is only worth about $4000? If I am wasting my time, tell me. If not, tell me what would be the best use of the money into the car. I am stuck with this truck for the next 3-4 years (or when it dies, whatever comes first).

Help me out with some specific parts, etc.

Thanks.

Post #: 1

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/20/2006 3:26:34 PM

swartlkk

Posts: 14306
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
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Well, let me first start out by saying that it is completely up to your opinion of whether or not the vehicle should have that kind of money dropped into it. Do you feel that it is worth it to put $1000 into your truck?

As far as modifications. I would concentrate on a good cold air intake, headers, exhaust (with an aftermarket cat), and a PCM reprogram (not a hypertech). If you have money left over, I would put in a cam. If you can work the cam in, that would be a big help!

As for specifics, well, come on... You've gotta do some work in this. Places to check out would be Summit Racing, Jegs, Comp Cams, etc.

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Kyle-

2004 Rainier
1970 Chevelle - Resto
1974 K5 Blazer - Resto

(in reply to PawNtheSandman)

Post #: 2

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/20/2006 3:30:25 PM

PawNtheSandman

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Joined: 4/20/2005
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I have all their catalogs, but how should I know the specific one that would be right for me? There are so many different Flowmaster series, headers etc. Which specific PCM programmer would you recommend?

As for the cam, I would have to get a shop to do this, I have no way of getting the engine out and I don't think it would be worth the time to take the front end off. Might be easier to have the shop do the cam and headers together.

(in reply to swartlkk)

Post #: 3

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/20/2006 5:57:33 PM

jagblazer01

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im going to have to agree with swart on this....everything he said would be good. after headers and exhaust though i doubt you will have enough left for a cam...but thats an idea for a later time

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Post #: 4

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/20/2006 10:30:26 PM

PawNtheSandman

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I been searching the Summit site. How do I know which engine I have? I know it is the 6 cylinder 4.3 vortec, but how do I know if it is the 261, 262 or 265?

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Post #: 5

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/21/2006 5:52:35 PM

PawNtheSandman

Posts: 49
Joined: 4/20/2005
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Ok, well I'm looking at some things, let me know what you think

CAI:
K&N 57-3017-2

Throttle Body:
Need Help With Finding One

Underdrive Pullys:
March MCH-4460

Headers:
Either JBA 1842-6 or 1842-3 (Do I want air injection or not?)

CAT/Exhaust
Gibson GIB-614510

Programer:
Need suggestions.

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Post #: 6

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/21/2006 5:57:38 PM

jagblazer01

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IMO the Gibson exhaust doesn't really sound that great. I like the sound of flowmaster...nice and deep sound..Or maybe magnaflow

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Post #: 7

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/21/2006 6:17:13 PM

PawNtheSandman

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Searched the flowmaster and magnaflow sites, confused by which model to get. Would like one that doesn't need to be welded. Help is appreciated.

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Post #: 8

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/22/2006 8:10:13 PM

swartlkk

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From: Waterloo, NY
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If you are already having the PCM reprogrammed, they can remove the air injection.

I would suggest you stop by some of the tuner shops in your area and see what they say about a custom tune on your truck. For the $300 of a hand held programmer, you can get one heck of a custom tune that is for YOUR vehicle, not a cookie cutter job that'll work on every vehicle.

On the throttle body, I would suggest removing the TB. Clean it up real good. Remove the throttle blade. Now the blade will have a half moon shaped diverter on it. This does serve a purpose on our motors. I would suggest taking a dremel and cutting about half of the diverter off. I have removed the entire diverter and am now looking to get a new throttle blade from a vortec 350. Just FYI, the TB on our engines is the EXACT same as that used on a vortec 350 v8 except for the diverter. On our engines, the diverter is close to 7/8" tall and on the 350, it's 3/8" tall.

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Kyle-

2004 Rainier
1970 Chevelle - Resto
1974 K5 Blazer - Resto

(in reply to PawNtheSandman)

Post #: 9

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/22/2006 9:47:22 PM

PawNtheSandman

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Joined: 4/20/2005
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Last summer I took out the throttle body cleaned it. I was gonna remove that blade completely like you said but I didn't.

I'll have to take another look at it.

I'm not spending $300 on a new tuner, I'll probably look for a pre-owned. Anything you recommend?

Also, do I want air injection headers or not? I read about air injection but I'm not really sure if it is a good thing for the engine or not. Advice?

And still looking for a flowmaster kit.

< Message edited by PawNtheSandman -- 8/22/2006 10:08:20 PM >

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Post #: 10

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/22/2006 10:05:33 PM

tommyd

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Joined: 5/5/2006
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Flowmaster doesn't make a kit for our vehicles. Most people simply get a 40 series or a 50 series. It won't need to be welded you can always clamp it tight. I have mine clamped right now with no leaks. Simply cut the old one out get about 2 foot of extra tube and clamp her up.

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'96 blazer LS 4x4 K&N FIPK Gen II Intake
SLP loudmouth resonator Lund Deflector
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Post #: 11

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/22/2006 10:11:52 PM

swartlkk

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From: Waterloo, NY
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I would not recommend a single hand-held tuner. I would recommend a custom tune which typically can be done for around $200.

Air injection is an emissions thing ONLY. It is there so the vehicle can meet a lower emissions standard (LEV in the case of AIR equiped 4.3L vehicles). There are Blazer's sold that do not include the AIR system. Any competent tuning shop can remove the codes associated with the AIR system meaning that you can completely remove it.

If your Blazer is equiped with the AIR system and you do not remove it (both physically and in the PCM), you will need the AIR equiped headers. If that is the case, then the headers you choose require the provisions for AIR and EGR. The RPO code for the AIR system is K18 - Air Injection Reactor System , Electric. Look at the RPO label on the inside of the glovebox door to find this and other RPO codes.

I also would not recommend completely removing the diverter on the throttle blade. I have mine completely removed and am starting to see a rich-front/lean-back condition from the color/condition of my plugs. I never was impressed with the change and my scans showed no appreciable difference between the full 7/8" diverter and no diverter. I am going to try out a 3/8" diverter throttle blade from a vortec 5.7L v8 throttle body and see how that goes.

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Kyle-

2004 Rainier
1970 Chevelle - Resto
1974 K5 Blazer - Resto

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Post #: 12

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/22/2006 10:16:55 PM

PawNtheSandman

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So a flowmaster 52556 muffler and some extra 2.5" tubing and tip would work fine with the JBA 1842-6 headers? I'd probably have to get a new flange right?

(in reply to tommyd)

Post #: 13

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/22/2006 10:20:16 PM

PawNtheSandman

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I don't know man. This truck runs like ****. My GF's cavalier has more pickup and torque going uphill. I'm stuck with this POS blazer for another few years so I figured to try and make it drivable, but it seems I am fighting a losing battle.

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Post #: 14

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/22/2006 10:23:52 PM

swartlkk

Posts: 14306
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
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quote:

ORIGINAL: PawNtheSandman

I don't know man. This truck runs like ****. My GF's cavalier has more pickup and torque going uphill. I'm stuck with this POS blazer for another few years so I figured to try and make it drivable, but it seems I am fighting a losing battle.

No one is saying that it isn't possible to get better performance... Where did that come from?

Anyway, if your g/f's cavi has more pickup (so much that you notice the difference), then something isn't right with your Blazer.

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Kyle-

2004 Rainier
1970 Chevelle - Resto
1974 K5 Blazer - Resto

(in reply to PawNtheSandman)

Post #: 15

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/22/2006 10:44:46 PM

PawNtheSandman

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Joined: 4/20/2005
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I've already brought it to shops, had a full tune up. 3 different shops said it is fine. I've had it for 4 years and It has been weak since day 1.

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Post #: 16

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/24/2006 9:21:24 PM

blazerxtreme1

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Joined: 11/28/2005
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quote:

As far as modifications. I would concentrate on a good cold air intake, headers, exhaust (with an aftermarket cat), and a PCM reprogram (not a hypertech). If you have money left over, I would put in a cam. If you can work the cam in, that would be a big help!

Hey Kyle what type of cam would you recommend? who much more torque/horsepower? whats the install like?

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Post #: 17

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/24/2006 9:30:48 PM

swartlkk

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From: Waterloo, NY
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Comp has tons of choices. Its been awhile since I've looked into it and I can't remember if they had hp/tq numbers. Obviously hp & tq both depend on the rest of the engine so if you have opened up the intake and exhaust, you should get better numbers than if you only did the exhaust.

As far as install.. Well, I don't know if the newer 4.3L has self retaining lifters. With self retaining lifters, you have to remove the valve covers, rocker arms and push rods. Then remove the water pump, timing cover, and timing chain/gear. Put the gear back on and rotate the cam through 1 full revolution to set the lifters up in their bores, then remove the cam. Without self retaining lifters, you'd need to remove the lower intake manifold and pull the lifters from their bores to keep them from falling down into the oil pan or getting hung up in the crank/rods.

I am also unsure if the blazer has enough room to do a cam swap without removing the radiator...

< Message edited by swartlkk -- 8/24/2006 9:33:18 PM >

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Kyle-

2004 Rainier
1970 Chevelle - Resto
1974 K5 Blazer - Resto

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Post #: 18

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/24/2006 10:39:39 PM

tommyd

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Joined: 5/5/2006
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Hey paw, try running some seafoam through it. Worked wonders for mine, she's not a dog anymore. If you haven't already check the compression low compression mean crap performance.

_____________________________

'96 blazer LS 4x4 K&N FIPK Gen II Intake
SLP loudmouth resonator Lund Deflector
Pioneer Deck 30x9.5 BFG Mud Terrains
JBL w12 GTI MKII Powered by Crown bpx500.1

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Post #: 19

RE: Budget Performance Upgrade - 8/24/2006 11:23:20 PM

PawNtheSandman

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Joined: 4/20/2005
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Did sea foam last summer along with a new rad cap. Not as much smoke as many people here report.

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Post #: 20