SwampHound
Full Access Member
Fine I'll quit trying to be a cheap bastard lol
Being the cheap bastard works great, until you end up re doing something multiple times . Much better to just buy the good stuff once and don't worry about it again.
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Fine I'll quit trying to be a cheap bastard lol
First, you do not "chip" a Vortec engine. You reprogram or tune the PCM. Such a company that does it is Blackbear Performance. They can usually get you about 20 more HP than stock and can account for mods to the engine as well.
Second, do not buy the GF POS. It is a scam. It is just a resistor in that box that alters the real signal and provides the computer with a fake one. That will just screw shit up. There are also not a lot aversions in part numbers for different years either, even though it says there are. It all ends up being the same POS box and part.
Third, Be careful on how you modify your throttle body. Doing it wrong can cause emissions monitor issues.
Forth, Keep your cats in and replace if needed and make sure your O2 sensors are in good working order. No rtv or extenders or crap like that.
Fifth, you can go different routes for cooling fans. You can do the Lincoln Mark 8 cooling fan in the existing fan shroud on the low cost side (discussed in a sticky post in the tech section) or you can use Flex-a-lite #280 dual fan kit like I have for for about $600. http://www.jegs.com/i/Flex-a-lite/400/280/10002/-1
Sixth, there are other options for air intakes. Personally, I recommend the K&n series 57 kit.
Seventh, ss for the exhaust try a flowmaster or other cat back system. You can put hi-flow cats from Magnaflow on if yours are bad. For headers you have a choice of shorties, Mid-lengths, which is sort of what I have but they are 100% legal while retaining all hookups( http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dte-301y-fed-c WIll have to really search for them tho.) Or long tubes which require modifications that would interfere with emissions equipment.
I have lots of mods that exceed the purchase price of the vehicle and will spend a lot more myself. Get used to it. As for as how much power I put out, I have yet to dyno it.