03 Xtreme wanting performance boost

[plague282]

Hi i haa 2003 s-10 xtreme with a 4.3l v6 which neeeds a performance boost. I was set on doing a v8 conversion, but the mpg which that it gives doesnt sit well with me at all. So I decided to stick with the same engine, just upgrading it in different places. Now the problem that is plaguing me is what to get. Here's what I plan to get so far

Gibson dual exhaust
AEM air intake
JBA headers

I know thats nothing right now, and next step up after that would be to get a turbo or supercharger right? I'm all for that, but i really don't feel like spending over $4000 (even though I'm dropping $5k in a stereo :) ) in total performance upgrades. If so could someone show me a turbo or supercharger that would fit my engine? Ive been looking all over and cant seem to find one that fits a 4.3l So if anyone has any suggestions it would help a lot. Thanks

[baylorxdime]

an ls1 gets the same if not BETTER gas mileage than a modded v6(of course not at WOT). save your money like everyone else says on here and do the ls1 swap. thats the best choice for performance + gas mileage. IMO.

[the kid 05]

the 350 has 335 hp right? how much would it cost to get a 350, the eletrical stuff, new tranny (want a 5 or 6 speed) and a rear axle/gears to handle the new found power be ruffly? my cousin guesstimated at about 6-7grand due to him being able to do it all

[Hammer Head]

Not all 350s have 335 hp.. I think somewhere around 290 hp is more like it on avg.

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

GMPerformanceParts.com lists a few 350's (http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/Parts/showcase_detail.jsp?engine=0) ranging from 290-385 hp. You can click on a specific engine and it will give you the part number, you could then google that to try and find the best price. Of course those are rated power specs, so actual results may vary. Also, I'm sure there are other options out there for crate engines or you could always just find a donor.

[plague282]

ill take the ls1 into consideration, but would be be the next step if I were to keep the v6? I kind of want to stay away from the v8 conversion since it costs 5k+.

[Hammer Head]

better airflow.. open element filter & better exhaust (headers & muffler)

[rentedmule]

If you have your heart set on an AEM intake check ebay for the copies - I got mine from a seller named 4caroption. it's the identicle intake for less than 1/3 the price. if you want the AEM dry-flow filter instead of the K&N style that comes with the Ebay ones just buy it seperately - you'll still save $100+

[Mikz86TA]

There is quite a bit of untapped performance in the 4.3 motor. If you are set to do a V8, I would seek the LSx motors for power and economy. There is a seller on E-bay that has anything from a complete rebuildable wreck (F-body,GTO,Vette), a rolling frame with motor/tranny, and just the engines. Miles are given and the PCM and such are all included. Price is determined by miles and which LSx motor it is.
On the 4.3, I would start with freeing up airflow. Intake and Cat-back are starters. Y-pipe and Headers would be good next. TB Mod will give you more throttle response and a Programmer will get you some gains too. Keep in mind a handheld programmer is based on 'stock' So to realize the full aftermarket parts potential, a Custom Tune or a Tuner Suite (HPTuners, EFI Live) is best for the $$$$. If your trucks an auto, you have 3.42 gears and if manual its a 3.08 gear. The auto could do 3.73s but realistically a 3.42 is plenty for all around. The auto itself has a 3.06 1st gear which is deep and the overdrive make crusing pleasurable. The manuals like mine can use a gearing upgrade. From 3rd on its nice, but a pig of sots off the line. IMO they shouldve put at minimum a 3.23 but a 3.42 is what Im going for. If you want to get into it more, a cam or 1.6 rockers will indeed be a big boost. Again, at this point a custom PCM tune is needed. After that its time to BOOST!!

[Hammer Head]

Can't you use the narrow rockers from LT1s & Vortec V8s? Those seem to be a little less than tryin to find the ones marketed for the 4.3

[Mikz86TA]

IDK. The only bolt-ins I knew about were the SLP ones. All else required the steel valve covers, studs and all that jazz. Im interested in that info tho

[Hammer Head]

I know they need to be narrow bodies & self-aligning. I'm almost 100% sure LT1/Vortec rockers are the ones needed. I'm pretty sure Rat knows this.

[Mikz86TA]

and they fit under the poly covers?

[Hammer Head]

I believe so. But can't some other covers be swapped. Didn't Mykk put on some tall finned edelbrocks in place of the polys?

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

Mike, I remember those SLP rockers from the first "parts of interest" thread, and was planning on getting a set to hold onto even though I wasn't ready to do it, just b/c it sounded like such a good price/item. I think they sold out... I couldn't find them on the site by going through the listings, and the search for the item number didn't return anything. Sucks... Did anyone actually buy a set?

[Mikz86TA]

Yup. I was the one that posted them there. Mykk bought a set but they told him they wouldnt fit a 2004 4.3 motor. So they cancelled his order. A week later I finally got the funds and went to order my set....no more left. =( New they were $400 and part # 50882 (00-03) The # 50833 (98-99) were also availible and were $99 new. The difference is (as pictured) , the 98-99 is just the rocker arms. They look like Comp Magnums. Being stamped steel with roller tips. The 00-03 came with the aluminum looking rocker with roller trunion (pivot), pushrods and the rocker mounts.
ACS on E-bay , which is SLPs e-bay store, has the 4.3 rocker mount bar right now. But I think its just a stock bar. Doesnt have any rockers and doesnt specify what exactly it for. Just thought Id throw that in. My question now is : What is the difference between the 98-99 and 00-03 heads/valve cover?
BTW : SLP claims 10HP on the 1.6 rockers

[Hammer Head]

I thought GM changed to the plastic covers in '96. Personally, I think the only diff between those two sets of rockers is one's stamped & the other's aluminum.

[plague282]

I really don't give a darn if the air intake is AEM or not, I was just planning on getting an aftermarket air intake. I also had another question, are fiberclass tonneau covers secure ? I mean are they easy to break into and do they seal fairly well? The reason why I ask is that I plan to but two 15' comp subs in the bed with some other goodies and I really don't feel like seeing my crap screwed up. I already purchased one of the best security systems out (Scytech visionguard 8000) for the car but Im still a little nervous about putting stuff in it.
Thank you for all of your replies, its helping a lot.

[Mikz86TA]

Funny thing is, I saw a junk 4.3 in tha yard on day and it had the plastic covers (busted) on and inside was a rail-less rocker setup. It was in the bed of a 96 S10. I didnt investigate if it was the motor actually from that truck or just got dumped there. Since they were broken, I could see inside enough to know they cleared the rockers. Maybe they are different covers (early design) or the rockers are special. IDK

[Mikz86TA]

Locking hard covers in general are hard to break into. If they lip over the tailgate at least. I talked to an older guy here who has an stepside X he bought new in 2000. He had the SnugLid which I want. He told me it hasnt leaked ever. He had it since 2000 and keeps crap back there....and has the bedrug. The Checkmate is nice for the price, but I hear (and saw one on a Ranger) that leaked and you can buy locks, but the tailgate can be opened when its closed. Defeats the purpose IMO. You got to buy the Pop-N-Lok thingyI really don't give a darn if the air intake is AEM or not, I was just planning on getting an aftermarket air intake. I also had another question, are fiberclass tonneau covers secure ? I mean are they easy to break into and do they seal fairly well? The reason why I ask is that I plan to but two 15' comp subs in the bed with some other goodies and I really don't feel like seeing my crap screwed up. I already purchased one of the best security systems out (Scytech visionguard 8000) for the car but Im still a little nervous about putting stuff in it.
Thank you for all of your replies, its helping a lot.

[blueextremepaul]

nitrous is the best thing i have done or a gear change 4:11 gear ran a 10.52 in the 1/8 100 shoot of n20 went a 9.01 spinning

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

nitrous is the best thing i have done or a gear change 4:11 gear ran a 10.52 in the 1/8 100 shoot of n20 went a 9.01 spinning

what'd the 4.11 do for your gas mileage? I know it depends on driving style and conditions, but I just wondered how it affected yours.

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

Best thing to do would be cam, converter if its auto, Cai

[blueextremepaul]

nos helped mine alot, a little scary on the what am i going to break tho

[bespurcell]

What's it like when you hit the button?

[Dogsofjune]

Lights blur and gets all surreal like. Well I found out at least that isn't really true.....unless I need to run a much bigger shot.

Mostly, on mine the engine sounds a bit different while the nitrous is being injected. A change in the pitch of the rpm's and you accelerate along faster.
I love the giggles and highly recommend it.

[ace2fine]

sssssssssssssssssss(stuff buzzing by)sssssssssssssssswooooaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!

i'd imagine...no bottle here:(

[bespurcell]

Lights blur and gets all surreal like. Well I found out at least that isn't really true.....unless I need to run a much bigger shot.

Mostly, on mine the engine sounds a bit different while the nitrous is being injected. A change in the pitch of the rpm's and you accelerate along faster.
I love the giggles and highly recommend it.
What system are you running[brand, how big a shot]?

[Dogsofjune]

I have a Zex kit. I run a 50 shot with the supercharger. The cooling effect on the incoming air is really nice.

[Mikz86TA]

"Lights blur and gets all surreal like. Well I found out at least that isn't really true....."

You mean its not like on the Fast and the Furious??




hehehehe

[Chrisvich]

"Lights blur and gets all surreal like. Well I found out at least that isn't really true....."

You mean its not like on the Fast and the Furious??
hehehehe


hahaha thats funny......

Nitrous is awesome especially when you sink into the sit and look at the person next as you blow passed them. They have that WTF expression on their face.

I had it on a car once and I think I got about 5 bottles worth out of it before I bent 10 valves and ate holes in the top of 2 of the pistons. Super cold to super hot in a split second just isnt very forgiving for metal

[jaysextreme]

I HAVE AN 02 EXTREME THAT HAS ALOT OF UPGRADES. IF YOU WANT LS POWER THEN YOU NEED AN LS. I HAVE A FLOW MASTER CAT BACK ,KN FIPK,
AND A BORED THROTTLE BODY . I THINK THE THROTTLE BODY MADE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE IN TORQUE AND HORSE POWER . I CAN,T RUN A LS BUT I HAVE SMOKED ALOT OF FULL SIZE TRUCKS IN YHE 1/8 MILE. BUY SOME TRACTION BARS TO SAVE YOUR DRIVE SHAFT. LAKEWOOD.

[Mikz86TA]

1st off. Read the rules of the forum and turn off the CAPS LOCK please.
Next, what do you mean by LS? Are you speaking of the LS trim package, a limited-slip differental, or what? I think you lost everyone on that one so please explain.
Next, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the ThrottleBody on a 98-up 4.3 CSFI truck is the same as on the 5.7 full size Vortec motor. So a ported or bored TB unit is not going to do anything. In fact most of the ones that claim to be bigger by a few mm's are actually just a stock 'marine' TB unit. And the only difference in those is not the bore size, but the lack of the deflector on the throttle blade that the truck motor has. Which is removed for free as a free mod or bought as a seperate replaceable blade for $40 at CFM-Tech.com