[no0b123]

Hello, I am new to this forum, looking for some help. I'm a High School Senior, and I got my first Truck..... A 2006 Chevy Silverado ext cab. >26,000 miles.

Anyhow, everything is stock (minus the Sony CD player) with a crappy V6 engine. I want to work on performance here, but am lost. I know almost nothing about cars, but I'm learning! I want a lot of horsepower, but have strength (I dont pull anything, I just like trucks). I want it to sound mean, loud, and powerfull with horsepower!

Maybe some links and detailed information on/ about parts? I did rear-end a truck last week, and my engine has a funny smell, but no visible damage. My breaks are also really bad, they don't even work until the pedal is pushed at least half-way down! Do I have ABS???

Pics:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a8/no0b12345/IMG_0036.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a8/no0b12345/IMG_0037.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a8/no0b12345/IMG_0040.jpg

 

[omegafiler]

Welcome to the forum!

First, before you do anything - take it to a mechanic to have everything checked out, especially the brakes. Could just be some air in the lines. ABS is also standard on your truck.

For performance, I'd go for a custom tune, you can search the forum for a few options. But that alone is going to give you the best bang for your buck. Then a CAI would help out a bit. And if you want to go crazy in the future, throw on a Turbo.

For exhaust, personally, I wouldn't recommend it on a V6. I've heard many many exhaust systems on lots of various vehicles/engines... and they just don't sound right on a V6. Any time I thought I found one that sounded descent, I'd get an audio clip of it on the exterior... and the next day I found myself removing it.

But tune, and perhaps CAI, good way to go.

 

[no0b123]

I should get it looked at, any respected and reccomended places? And do they charge for this? And what is CAI, and how can I "tune" my truck? I found out it's a 4.3L V6 Fuel Injected engine.

-Should I upgrade in the late future, to a V8?
-What are some things I can do to a V8 for horsepower?
-What fuel should I use (regular, premium, super +)?
-How much damage (cost wise) do you think I did to my fender?
-Is it possible to have at least 330 HP in my truck (V6 OR V8)?
-What can I do to improve gas mileage (I know these upgrades will kill me)?
-Would a cold air intake benefit me?

Thank you omegafiler for your help!

 

[omegafiler]

I should get it looked at, any respected and reccomended places? And do they charge for this? And what is CAI, and how can I "tune" my truck? I found out it's a 4.3L V6 Fuel Injected engine.

Should I upgrade in the late future, to a V8? What are some things I can do to a V8 for horsepower?

I don't know of any places in Arizona, maybe somebody around here can throw out some suggestions. Or just call around, mention your issues, see what they say. Some places look at it for free, others will charge you - so definately a good idea to call first.

"CAI" is a Cold Air Intake. Replaces your stock airbox with a more free-flowing setup. Generally provides a minor increase in HP and adds a bit of noise (ie. engine growl). You can search around the forum for other setups.

For a Custom Tune, there are lots of there, such as Wait4Me (google it). You can also search for the forum. But basically it's a better route than a handheld unit (ie. Hypertech, Flashpaq, Jet, etc) since the tune is specific for your vehicle and you will obviously get the best results. This is always the best bang for your buck.

For fuel octane, just go with what's recommend. Unless you get a tune that requires you to run a higher octane.

And unless you are really attached to your particular truck, I'd just buy a new truck if you want a V8. Otherwise, it's never going to be worth it due to the high cost in parts/labor for a V6 -> V8 engine swap.

Many folks in your case would stick with the easy bolt-on mods, such as a CAI and Tune (custom or handheld), and enjoy the truck as it is. Then when you are in a position to purchase a new vehicle you can go for the V8.

 

[omegafiler]

And to answer the other questions you added, you can get all the HP you want out of a V6 or V8 if your willing to put the time/$$$ into building up the engine to handle the power.

Really hard to say on the bumper from the pics. Almost any body shop will give you a free estimate. Sometimes they can just bend it back.

Gas mileage improvements are pretty standard across the board. Go easier on the throttle, check tire pressure, etc. Oh, and don't buy a V8.

 

[no0b123]

WoW! Thank you omegafiler. I'll have to call around some places here in Arizona about tuning and stuff. I will look forward to buying some upgrades for this truck, and see how it handles. I have to first repair the FORD I rear-ended :grrrrrr:

He was too slow. Anyhow, I am pretty much stuck with a V6 then, which is a bummer because a V8 is more realistic for me.

 

[dwill3015]

First off, welcome to the site! Second, You will be happy having the V6 in the long run with the fuel prices the way the are. You can beef up the V6 for more performance but even if it had a 4-cylinder in it, it's still a respectable looking rig that you should spend more time and money on slamming it to the ground, going with some sweet low profile tires on 24's, and building an audio system that will curl your girlfriends toes when it's bumping. You have a great start with such a nice truck! If you built it for speed you might start breaking things and risk the chance of a high-speed crash. I would rather be known for having the sickest ride around with class. Just my 2 cents:glasses:

 

[no0b123]

What would I need to do, to later achieve at least 300 HP in my V6 Silverado? I currently have 200 HP. And some sweet 24' wheels would look bad ass. Maybe your right dwill3015, I should pimp out the truck :happy:

 

[no0b123]

Ok, what is the CAI? And do you have any links to where I could get one (or info. about them) for my Chevy?

And would a throttle body spacer benefit me at all? If so, what would you recommend for my truck?

What does it take to get dual exhaust for my truck with FLOWMASTER SUPER 44?

Thanks for your help guys, I went driving around to some Auto-mechanic places but could not get help from the people there
So tomorrow, I'll go look around again....

I'm going to get a Performance tune done, but until then, how can I increase Horsepower THE MOST efficient way?

 

[95CTburb19]

Nice truck. Mines a 2 wheel too, makes things interesting in the snow but you dont have to worry about that! That V6 isn't too bad if you think about it, Im also a high school senior and I drive a V8 burb and a sierra. I basically just go to the gas station and hand them my paycheck. So I'm with dwill, that truck would look badass sittin low on big rims setting car alarms off with the stereo.

 

[no0b123]

Would you recommend I get a Flowmaster Muffler, and tips rather than a whole kit (pipes and everything)? I have decided to go with a single exhaust, and forget about true dual.

Will the stock piping be sufficient? I want an exhaust that sounds lound, mean, and agressive. But I dont want it to sound like a racecar, I want a deap "roar" or "growl". The Flowmaster Super 44's sound nice, heres a clip:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vo8MGc7uEx0

And a cold-air intake completely removes the air box? So there is no reason to buy a new air filter, if I plan on getting a cold-air intake correct? How much better is a CAI than a upgraded air filter in the airbox?

 

[dwill3015]

Here are some things I found for your application...

Programmer

Cold air intake

Throttle body spacer

Exhaust system

Hope this helps

 

[no0b123]

Yes, that helped a lot, thank you. I still want to know if I would be good having a Flowmaster muffler and exhaust tips installed will do good for me, rather than a full exhaust kit (pipes and everything).

And is the Wait4Me Tune something you receive physically in the mail, or do I send a part in to get programmed, or how does this work?

I have a K&N Air Filter installed in my Air box, would it still benefit me to remove the Airbox and new filter to install a CAI?

 

[finalday7]

Hey welcome to the truck world. As far as performance goes it really is limited by your pocket book. At 21 mines still a little tight but things can always be done. I'd recommend custom tuning, sorry can't help with any places cause i'm just getting settled in my new 2007 sierra. I'd go with some new gears 3.73 would be nice that would get you off the line alot quicker. KN has there procharger CAI that seems to be getting good numbers out of it. Flowmasters sound mean as hell but as far as performance goes you see more hp and tq out of a magnaflow catback with high flow cats. A nice set of headers will round out the sound and get you flowing even better. If you want to go even louder, a manual cut-out will give you even more aggressive sounding exhaust notes, and when your on a road trip it can get you back down to a more tolerable note. Like I said money, money money. These things can get expensive, so heres a ball park on some parts.
programmer or custom tuning, 350-450
gears(installed) 500-600
CAI 200-300
Magnaflow cat back exhaust 500-600
High flow catylitic converters about 90 a piece (need 2)
Flows 280-380
Headers(depends on coating) 300-900
Manual cut-out 28 bucks (that sounds better )
So even low end your looking at over 2000 dollars. And I think your truck has about 195hp flywheel and with all these options you could maybe get 60hp flywheel maybe a little more. So think about the new v8's start at 295hp. Hope this helps a little bit...IF you have any questions just ask :great: