Looking to Buy Performance Package

[expoke]

I'm considering buying one of those pre-packaged "performance packages" that usually have something like exhaust system, chip, intake, headers, etc. and am looking for any help or input as far as what are good packages and what to steer away from. I'm also wary about whether some of those additions may void the warranty, as mine is less than 1 yr old.

Any input/advice/experience/help is appreciated!

 

[metalguru]

No easy answer here.

Select a package from a reputable dealer, such as TByrne, and you shouldn't go far wrong.

As to what you should buy. . . that all comes down to personal preference.

There are a few questions you should ask yourself first, however:

How much do I want to spend?

How much of the stuff can I fit myself?

How much will I have to pay someone else to fit & how much will that cost?

How much extra power do I want?

Can I put up with the truck being noisier \ thristier, etc?

I dont believe you have a big issue with warranty claims under US laws, but I am not an expert in that!

As to what to buy, well here are a few pointers to what to expect:

Intake kit: +5-10hp: $250 - $400

Headers: +15-25hp; $600 - $800

Cat-back exhaust; +10-20hp; $500 - $700

Chip tuner; +15-20hp; $300ish (also improves gears, limiters etc.)

Nitrous oxide; +150hp; $500 - $800

Supercharger; + 150hp; $5000ish

You might also want to consider uprating brakes, swaybars, springs, raising/lowering, etc, etc.

This is an endless topic!

 

[11H]

expoke,,,

I have a piece of your package in the 4 sale section (2002 hypertech programmer) ... LOL



11H

 

[sparky]

As to what to buy, well here are a few pointers to what to expect:

Intake kit: +5-10hp: $250 - $400

Headers: +15-25hp; $600 - $800

Cat-back exhaust; +10-20hp; $500 - $700

Chip tuner; +15-20hp; $300ish (also improves gears, limiters etc.)

Nitrous oxide; +150hp; $500 - $800

Supercharger; + 150hp; $5000ish

You might also want to consider uprating brakes, swaybars, springs, raising/lowering, etc, etc.

This is an endless topic!

Yes this sure is an endless topic. I suspect expoke already knows this but just in case thought I should point out that while they are both listed as +150hp the Nitrous and Supercharger are not inter-changeable.
Nos gives you part time 150hp, or 'shots' of 150. A drawback for me was the need for plumbing and a place to stash the tank.
Supercharger gives you 150hp fulltime, all the time. The unit fits in the engine area, some like the 5.3 easier than others like the 8.1.
And of course there is the large (huge?) difference in price.

 

[expoke]

I appreciate the input. Yeah I know it's really a broad question with lots of answers. I'm looking to spend around $1500 or less at the outset. As for the SC, that's more of a down-the-road option for now. Though I'm sure a SC would be more fun, for 3-5K, the smart money is on grad school for me. Besides, though I've heard here once or twice that it doesn't void the warranty, I'm kinda skeptical about that!

I've read the threads about HPPIII and other programmers so I know a little about what they do, but besides the programming features, any ideas of how that compares to a chip?

Guess I should mention it's a daily driver, and whatever I get I don't want to sacrifice mpg.

 

[11H]

I appreciate the input. Yeah I know it's really a broad question with lots of answers. I'm looking to spend around $1500 or less at the outset. As for the SC, that's more of a down-the-road option for now. Though I'm sure a SC would be more fun, for 3-5K, the smart money is on grad school for me. Besides, though I've heard here once or twice that it doesn't void the warranty, I'm kinda skeptical about that!

I've read the threads about HPPIII and other programmers so I know a little about what they do, but besides the programming features, any ideas of how that compares to a chip?

Guess I should mention it's a daily driver, and whatever I get I don't want to sacrifice mpg.

Since about 1994 or so, PCM's have evolved to not contain a removable E-PROM or "chip" ... Since then, the only way for the consumer to re-program the PCM for more performance is to either remove the whole PCM and send it away, or to buy a re-flasher... (Hypertech, Superchips, or Diablo) ... JET makes a module that mounts outside the PCM as a piggyback that adjusts the PCM too ... )

So when someone tells you that they got a new chip or they chipped it, and it's after the years I mentioned, they are either lying, or they got the pcm re-programmed, and they are using the term genericly ...

11H

 

[james21]

Expoke, 3 items that I have on my truck right now that have greatly improved performance; Volant Intake, Magnaflow CatBack, and MSD Ignition. I have gotten around 35-40 more HP and around the same in torque, not to mention the better gas mileage. I probably spent around $1000 including labor for the Magnaflow, the Volant and MSD were very easy. All of these you can get at TBYRNE, but I would definitely search for the best price. I do have to say that I kinda wish I had gone with something that has a beefier sound like a flowmaster, but I am very pleased with the Magnaflow.
You should also give some thought when you are looking for these performance upgrades, will you use it as mainly a street truck or offroad truck? That is very important, because certain air intakes are much better than others in offroading, whereas certain ones are better for onroading. The Volant is a good all around intake it is great for a show truck, but just the same it is great for a offroad truck .
So there are many things to take into consideration. My truck for instance will be more of a rugged truck , given the mud terrain tires and winch bumper that I am getting for it. Those two mods will definitely run a $2200 pricetag .
You'll catch the modding bug very easy around here, you just gotta know HOW to turn it off!

As you can probably tell I have NO trouble knowing when to turn it off!

-James R.

 

[expoke]

Great! I didn't know that about the chips... I don't like the idea of sending my PCM anywhere, so sounds like my only option now are the programmers. Guess I better dig into some of those threads again . This is lots of help!

James that kind of setup is right what I'm talking about. A package that is proven to work well together, because I really don't have much expertise myself to pick amongst all those programmers/exhausts/intakes, etc! I do plan on doing a little offroad, but I'm not into tearing up a 40K truck either. I've been a fan of Flowmasters, but I'm willing to look elsewhere, especially if it sounds good, offers good gains, and has a better finish than Flos do (I seem to recall the welds starting to rust a bit after awhile). So I'm not stuck on them 100%. I like the rougher sound too. Seems I read in one of the mags about one of those exhaust companies making a dual kit just to fit 5.3 Avs?

Thanks again

 

[james21]

Expoke I saw a dual system for the H2 and possibly an AV in Performance Products. I believe it is a Magnaflow Catback. The deal with the magnaflow exhaust system is that it gets louder and beefier as it ages, whereas FMs are loud and beefy to start. You will see similar performance gains from both systems, and the real benefits from a cold air intake, like volant is that it is shielded from the hot engine, so it does not get the hot engine air, it only takes it from the fender or from below the engine. This gives it better performance, any intake that boasts 20-30HP+ gains that is an open air intake is a bunch of B.S. because the hot air will reduce any performance gains. Then again the volant does have a down side, since it has a hole on the bottom for air it is more susceptible to take in mud, water, etc. when offroading bigtime, otherwise it is great !

Hope this helps, good luck with the search!

-James R.