Hey Scotty I have two questions if you don't mind. I have a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 4.3 V6. What can I do to the engine to increase its horsepower? secondly, what's the best additive I could use after changing my engine oil?
Thanks,
- Peter.
Easy. Drop in a V8.
Is it worth it? Heck no.
Be happy with your truck that lasted this long. Don't try squeeze power out of an old clunker.
If it was my truck, I would keep any engine work simple. Probably just refresh the oil, oil filter, and air filter and change the plugs (if that hasn't been done). But I wouldn't try to try to squeeze more power out of the old girl than she was made for.
But what would you think about putting on lighter weight wheels and tires? Not necessarily a cheap upgrade, but reducing your unsprung weight and rotational mass can get you better performance with less load on the engine and (equally old) transmission.
I've rebuilt the engine, transmission, rear differential and drive shaft rebuilt before. I've had that truck since 2006. I serviced the transmission about 3 months ago and a new paint job.
I just tuned it to make it more efficient and alittle more power. I'm done with it for now, I'm good to go lol. I'm driving to Miami tomorrow. I like the wheels on it. The wheels make the truck look very nice, so I'll sacrifice looks for power at this time.
I'm not going back to those skinny wheels. I have no payments and I have two Acura I could drive if need be. I love the old Chevy.
You might be able to get a little more HP with an after market, larger throttle body. Oil additives are a waste of money with today's high quality oils, IMO.
as far as I know, the throttle body was never undersized on the 4.3
It's just a tune. It doesn't do anything to the engine or transmission exactly; other than removing the restrictions the manufacturer installed and allow the vehicle to freely run.
I have a guy who has a shop and he's been doing that type of work for years. He has a truck just as mine same year. I'll be getting it altered tomorrow and I'll let everyone know how it went.
Buy a new truck?! NO! I hate..... those new trucks! They are all plastic and they don't last. My wife wants to buy me a new truck and I told her NO! I refuse. I'll keep my 2000 old Chevrolet.
Hey guys the tune/calibration is done. I had an increase in HP&Torque. My horsepower increased to 20 and my torque increased to 31. Transmission was also tune in terms of time shifting, throttle response, tires recalibrated to speedometer because I have some wider tires, air to fuel ratio because I have a performance air box etc.
Now I can spin the tires at the light. Pickup is great while at high speed and the speed governor is gone.
Congratulations!
did you test it on a dyno?
Hummm... And what about your 22 year old V-6 transmission, rear end and radiator, exhaust system, catalytic converters, etc... It's a lot harder than just slapping in a bigger engine and having some computer wizard flash the PCM. It's VERY expensive to do an engine swap like that. I wouldn't spend the bucks unless that truck is a low mileage, rust free cherry. Do yourself a huge favor and don't blow up your V-6. If you start revving it high you'll spring oil leaks out the wazoo from all of the 22 year old seals. Good luck.
Well I'm getting a calibration done on Thursday. I believe that will get things more efficient and a quicker response as well as taking the governor of.
calibration? to do what exactly? Also it seems like youre looking for both more power and efficiency, which are pretty inversely proportionate. only way to get more power and better mpg is to get a newer truck. I'm against doing much work to this, not a good financial decision, and at that age you'll probably end up finishing either the engine or trans. Some say like a K&N intake improve response, but I'd just make sure your air filter is clean.
@nta98
wrong. more power = more efficiency
Intake, Exhaust, ECU/Fuel upgrades, larger injectors, turbocharge, supercharge, you name it as long as your pockets are deep enough.
I'm not going to spend that kind of money lol. I don't like the loud noises. Oh, another thing to the previous comment. I did do a tune-up and changed the spider injectors about a month ago. Now the gas mileage is much... much.... better. I get about 160 miles on a quarter tank of gas.
If/when this engine go out; I'll buy a V8 5.3 and slap in there. My buddy who did the tune for me told me, I could bring it to him and he will flash the computer to recognize the additional 2 cylinders etc.
Well, perhaps you should have stated your horsepower goals. If you're looking for a modest increase, then upgrading the intake and exhaust is the first step. When you say you don't like loud noises, I assume you mean turbocharging/supercharging. That's not loud just so you know, but the kits can be expensive. Just curious, if you don't have the money to upgrade your current engine, how do you have the funds for an engine swap? For example, I could swap out my VG30ET for an RB25DET or GM 400 block but that's going to cost me more money that increasing the boost and fuel pressure. I'm also not sure about flashing your ECM to recognize the 2 additional cylinders. Sounds like a jerry-rig to me, and you may want to get stand alone engine management. But then again, you know your friend better than I do.
Well for now I'm fine like it is and yes it can be done with the engine swap because he's working on two of them as we speak.
I've driven the truck since and I could feel the deference from acceleration, RPM, gas mileage, transmission timing, and engine idle. My friend has a well ran shop and he's very methodical with his work. He does a full inspection from front to back before place your vehicle anywhere close to the dynamometer.
I'm talking loud noices for example, muffler and manifolds. Anyway, fellas thanks for all the help and advice. I'll come back with update if need be. Thanks again.