AIR INTAKE SYSTEMS?

[DalesCarpentry]

As you guys may know I bought a new to me truck. It is a 1998 Chevy 1500 4x4. I was surprised it only had the 4.3 Vortec engine in it. I am used to much more power in my trucks but was some what surprised of the power of this little 4.3. My last Chevy Silverado 2500HD had the 6.0 liter in it so you can see what I mean. I just might get to like this smaller motor because I travel anywhere between 40 and 80 miles to work one way everyday. I have been trying to find ways of squeezing a little more HP out of it. I see these air intake systems. Are they a scam or do they really work? This one says it will provide 18 HP more. Will I even notice that little gain? http://www.jcwhitney.com/AIRAID-PERFORMANCE-INTAKE-SYSTEMS-WITH-SYNTHAFLOW-FILTER/GP_2005567_N_111+1998+200729944+600002035_10101.jcw While I am on the subject will one of those throttle body spacers be worth while? With such a small motor I would like to wring out any possible extra proformance from this motor. Dale

[Lloyd Smale]

I run a simular one on mine. Alone it may have added hp but seat of the pants theres not enough to feel.  When i went with the intake and borla exaust i could feel a differnce but the big differnce came when i had my computer reprogramed. Im not talking hand held programers. there programs are generic and may add a couple hp but not much. There are places that do custom programs on your computer and will do the programing for the type of gains you want. You can shoot for performance or gas mileage or a combo and optimize for the octain your willing to buy. The diffence was like night and day on my truck. Mines got a performance program that advances timeing and takes out the torque management in the tranny. IT actually gets enough better gas mileage to offset the cost of premium and is like you pluged in another spark plug. cost is in the 500 dollar range.

[Arier Blut]

Uncorking the intake and exhaust can give a little better hp and more importantly mpg. On the intake it's cheaper to go to your local chain auto parts store and get a high flow air filter, such as spectre, then get the plumbing from a hardware store. Most can be made for $25 or so.

Same thing on the exhaust often a freer flowing muffler can pick up 5 or 10 hp extra depending on model. Pulleys can yield another 10 or 15 hp. As can an electric fan and removing the stock mechanical one. The pulleys are the only expensive mod, at around $100 or so the rest can be had for $100 or so total if you use the junk yard and your own ingenuity. There should be details online for your specific model to guide you through the processes with pictures.