4.3L Upgrade Questions

[00BLZRMyWay]

Thanks to BlazerLT, I know now to get exhaust, then an intake kit. But I still ponder on the other things. Chips, Programers, TB spacers? I've seen ads for programmers that will criticize chips for being extremely difficult to install and also state that you cannot return to stock settings. But then there's chips which I believe, personally, already have the best settings possible for your truck. What's best for me to use? NOW, Throttle Body Spacers. How do they work exactly? If I want every horse available for my 4.3L, under my hood, should I get one?(does it really increase HP?) What order should I get all this stuff in? And finally, Is there also an aftermarket cooling set-up for the 4.3L?
The Programer Modules, Chips, and TB spacers I've been looking at, are here: http://www.performanceproducts4truck...talogList.aspx It should go straight to the 4.3L Blazer page.

FYI: I'm asking the 4.3L nation because I'm hoping some of you have tried, or know someone who has tried this stuff, and can give me your own feedback without trying to "sell it" to me.

[BlazerLT]

1.) Muffler
2.) Intake
3.) Chip

TB Spacers are a waste on a 4.3L.

[Rmbodie]

Hey Pedro , Do you work at MAGLITE . If so I am a big fan . 15 plus , so far. I agree with LTs priority list . The mechinic shows on TV do it in that order too. I am upgrading my 89 model , which was TBI with lots of problems. I already have a freeflow exhaust after the cat , but I am installing a power package from Edelbrock . It will boost my stock 160hp rated 4.3 up to 210 hp and 260 ft/pds torque. I should finish it this weekend . Edelbrock has lots of goodies for your year engine too . Being in CA you are limited to what you can legally do . Rob

[BlazerBoyLT98]

Sounds like a plan for my 98 after I finish paying the damn thing off! I get to tow a camper this weekend with my Blazer, she does really well towing believe it or not.

[blazes9395]

I agree with all the mods, but a TB spacer will help the 4.3. As with any spacer used in any high performance application, it will help produce better mid range power - exactly where these engines with the TBI setups are suppose to perform the best. Also if you want a little more boost in power without spending too much(but very hard to find), look around for a 350 or 454 throttle body intake. The bores are bigger for thoese TBIs and the stock computer can handle the change, as long as your engine is stock. I tried a 350 TBI, basiclly bolted right up, and I did notice a little more kick with it installed. I still wish I had my 89, it was a great setup(TBI) and quite easy to work on as compared to the Vortec, also the price of parts for the TBI did not even come close to the price of parts for the Vortec.

[lostmartian63]

Originally Posted by Rmbodie

Hey Pedro , Do you work at MAGLITE . If so I am a big fan . 15 plus , so far. I agree with LTs priority list . The mechinic shows on TV do it in that order too. I am upgrading my 89 model , which was TBI with lots of problems. I already have a freeflow exhaust after the cat , but I am installing a power package from Edelbrock . It will boost my stock 160hp rated 4.3 up to 210 hp and 260 ft/pds torque. I should finish it this weekend . Edelbrock has lots of goodies for your year engine too . Being in CA you are limited to what you can legally do . Rob

Ive got an 89 model 4.3 too where is that power pacage at I would really like to look into it

[dmbrisket 51]

cam, if you want to squeeze that 4.3 find an rv cam for it, and i say an rv because its mild enough for fuel injection, and you dont need a new set of springs

[89BLAZER4ME]

Hey rmbodie...you say a "power package" for your 4.3? What does that include? I have been thinking about the TB spacers as well, but I see that LT says it's a waste. I already installed a Ravin Z55 muffler on my 89 4.3, and it is nice. It's not very loud...perhaps I should have gone with the Z33. I would love to have a little more power, but I don't want alot.

[00BLZRMyWay]

Thanks for the help. But still, does the TB spacer increase Horsepower or torque? And finally, Does "chip" just mean don't even bother with a programer? They're expensive, I know. But I'm at a time in one's life when I have the ability to buy this stuff. "No kids, no wife, no house, and a damn good job." Anyways, If they can do a better job than a chip, it is well worth the $500 more.
*Is this power package also available for the 2000 4.3L V6 Votec?
**No, I am not Pedro. But my dad used to work at MAGLITE. That's wierd that you'd say that. And that's not the only "BIG" corporation here in Ontario, CA.
***So-Cal SUCKS!!!!!!

[dmbrisket 51]

a tb spacer is not worth it, and with the living condition you have, put a small, or even a big block chevy power house in there... otherwise, yes a programmer is much better then a chip, and like i said in previous post, specally if you have the $$ for it, camshaft, headers, high flow cat, cold air intake, and induction, supercarger for stock cam, power throughout the power band, or turbo with an rv cam and crank the horses at higher rpm's

[Rmbodie]

The Power package is made by Edelbrock , But JEGS is the only retailer that that sells it . It comes with matched carb (500cfm)4barrel, cam, and intake manifold . For the TBI engine it is part number 350-2111pk ."jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/productdisplay?" . It sells for $540 , which is less than the parts seperately from any source . I have been thinking about this kit for over a year. I know F.I. is superior in most situations but I am tired if trying to find may problems with mine. Point the nose up a hill and it bucks and spits . I replaced every ignition and FI part with no luck . I cant wait to fire it up this weekend .Rob

[BlazerLT]

TB Spacers are a complete waste of money and the only proven place where they have been proven to work are on the older dodge V6's.

I read a site a while back where the guy installed his TB spacer and dynoed it before and after and he has a 3HP loss.

As said previously, it is crap.

[00BLZRMyWay]

So I go to begin my upgrades today, and as we all know now, exhaust first. I go into Midas and ask how much to get a Ravin exhaust system installed on my Blazer. The man's response (as clearly as I can 'member): "Ravin just got bought out and is going out of business so we no longer stock or can order their exhaust systems." What do I get now? I originally wanted to get the Magnaflow, mainly because it's quiet. But after joining this Forum, I've wanted to push my Horses to breed more horses (or just invite some friends). Is a magnaflow still a good choice? Is this a sign???

[dmbrisket 51]

(apologizing now, drunk but coherient) wow, didnt know ravin got bought out... but my cousin did say it best the other night while we were cruzen around in my fire bird... it doesnt have to make a lot of noise to be hella fast... meaning keep the exhaust down, nice tone at open throttle, but something quite and mellow at idel and low rpm's kind of a sleeper thing...

[BlazerLT]

I just asked the local Midas up here in Canada and they still can get any muffler in. Must take a while before the Canadian supplier run out of stock.

What you want is straight through flow muffler with no deflectors or unneeded baffles like the flowmaster 40.

I heard good things about the Flo Pro and when I was at my local Midas dealer they had a new muffler called a Rhino which seems to have excellent flow characteristics.