Please help with 4.3L HP increase?

[Jchoi]

I know a guy who has the 4.3, and it seems to have plenty of juice. I’d check into the tune as others have stated. I will tell you that he ended up putting smaller wheels and tiresand seemed to be happier with that. (17s I think). Just don’t let anyone shame you because you have two less cylinders. That’s a damn nice truck. I had a Honda Ridgeline, and all my buddies shamed me, but not because of the two less cylinders ha ha. 

[TomBrady80]

1 hour ago, Donstar said:

Here's what we've been pulling for the last couple of months.  Burns more gas going uphill but plenty of power.

That’s nice and exactly what we had in mind! Yours is 4x4 too! Really nice! 

[TomBrady80]

18 minutes ago, Jchoi said:

I know a guy who has the 4.3, and it seems to have plenty of juice. I’d check into the tune as others have stated. I will tell you that he ended up putting smaller wheels and tiresand seemed to be happier with that. (17s I think). Just don’t let anyone shame you because you have two less cylinders. That’s a damn nice truck. I had a Honda Ridgeline, and all my buddies shamed me, but not because of the two less cylinders ha ha. 

Thanks for that! I actually had 17s on it at first and then I probably messed up adding the 20s but it’s okay. It looks better with 20s lol! And those Honda Ridgelines are nice too!

[TomBrady80]

4 hours ago, newdude said:

Procharger?  Would have to be a custom setup, but that might be a way to go.  E85 is the cheapest mod for the 4.3 as that adds some HP.  And the 4.3 comes flex fuel equipped.  If it can be tuned and optimized for E85 that would get some good gains.   

Mine is all ready set up to run E85, so now I just buy a tuner to optimize or tweak certain performance options? Tuning is new to me, but I’m a fast learner. 

[SarahsGMC]

Bore the cylinders, cam, longtubes, if you do longtubes do an intake, custom tunes and modify the shift points, lower the gear ratio in axles to take strain off trans and give you some pep. this is all stuff ive done and will do. but I have a 5.3

Edited June 22, 2018 by SarahsGMC

[TomBrady80]

25 minutes ago, SarahsGMC said:

Bore the cylinders, cam, longtubes, if you do longtubes do an intake, custom tunes and modify the shift points, lower the gear ratio in axles to take strain off trans and give you some pep. this is all stuff ive done and will do. but I have a 5.3

Thanks!   I asked a local speed shop the other day but they couldn’t find any “long tubes,” only “short tubes.” Are the short tubes pointless? 

[2017_whitez71]

I definitely agree with running e85.  Makes a noticeable difference, in my opinion.  I had a 14 double cab with a 4.3 and always ran e85.  An added benefit of e85 is that the exhaust smells like corn chips 

[TomBrady80]

2 minutes ago, 2017_whitez71 said:

I definitely agree with running e85.  Makes a noticeable difference, in my opinion.  I had a 14 double cab with a 4.3 and always ran e85.  An added benefit of e85 is that the exhaust smells like corn chips 

Lol! I have to try that just to see if I smell the corn chips... lol 

[GMC2015]

For your case, the best thing to do for performance would be to regear to 4.10s and get a custom tune. Together, they’ll make the truck alot more driveable and responsive. Ditto on the e85, it added a nice bump in performance on my old 2015 4.3.

[newdude]

16 hours ago, TomBrady80 said:

I like what you’re saying.... I’ve never heard of a Procharger, but the E85 mod sounds like a common theme. Who should I seek out for that type of mod? Thanks 

 

Performance/speed shop.  https://www.procharger.com/      https://www.procharger.com/dealer-locator   It would take some custom work to get the 5.3 kit I'd imagine to work.  We've got a place up here in NY that would be great at making that type of thing happen.  https://www.berg-racing.com/ 

 

15 hours ago, TomBrady80 said:

Mine is all ready set up to run E85, so now I just buy a tuner to optimize or tweak certain performance options? Tuning is new to me, but I’m a fast learner. 

Custom tune.  Never out of the box plug in tuner.  BlackBear Performance, or a local LS/LT engine specialist. 

[TXGREEK]

Thanks for that! I actually had 17s on it at first and then I probably messed up adding the 20s but it’s okay. It looks better with 20s lol! And those Honda Ridgelines are nice too!

Wheels and tires make a huge difference in towing. I’ve never owned a six cylinder in a full size truck but be very cautious of getting all terrain tires. Personally, I’d avoid them, go with Michelin High mileage highway tires like Defenders. Research them on Discount Tire website, comparing weight of tires and make sure to stay with original equipment sizes cause you’ll most likely notice an improvement and you can sell your wheels and tires later after. Good luck


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[Donstar]

1 hour ago, TXGREEK said:

 

Wheels and tires make a huge difference in towing. I’ve never owned a six cylinder in a full size truck but be very cautious of getting all terrain tires. Personally, I’d avoid them, go with Michelin High mileage highway tires like Defenders. Research them on Discount Tire website, comparing weight of tires and make sure to stay with original equipment sizes cause you’ll most likely notice an improvement and you can sell your wheels and tires later after. Good luck


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Switching out my 13's for 15's turned my '64 Econoline from an urban delivery vehicle to a highway cruiser!  To add to your post, Op can regain close to stock diameter and still keep his 20" wheels. I am 100% agreement on the Defenders.

[TXGREEK]

Switching out my 13's for 15's turned my '64 Econoline from an urban delivery vehicle to a highway cruiser!  To add to your post, Op can regain close to stock diameter and still keep his 20" wheels. I am 100% agreement on the Defenders.

Close to stock would mean lower profile and stiffer ride, getting rid of meat, will it not?


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[2018GMC]

What gears?

 

If it has 3:08 gears that’s your problem. 

 

Put in 3:73 , 3:42 , or 3:23 and a good tune -Blackbear

Edited June 23, 2018 by 2009GMC

[Donstar]

33 minutes ago, TXGREEK said:

 

Close to stock would mean lower profile and stiffer ride, getting rid of meat, will it not?


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Stock tire on a  factory 20" wheel is 275/55/20.  I think this is a comfortable riding and good looking tire size.