Newbie with some simple questions

ManifestOne · March 15, 2004

Well this is my first post, so Im a newbie. I was hoping that I could get some help with a few questions. I have a 2000 GMC Jimmy 2dr V6. I was wanting to dual it out, but not sure whats the best brand of muffler to go with. Ive called around and some say that i should go with a glass pack and other say the Flowmasters. Does anyone know whats the best to use? Im not looking to make a performance truck out of it, just would like better sound and some extra power.

Another questions I have is...whats a cat back system?

And the last question for right now. I was going to add a better air intake. Whats the best brand to go with on that? A friend told me to just buy a cone, dont spend the money on something like the AEM Brute Force.

Any and all suggestions would be appericated. Or a link to an already post about these topics would be nice.

Scott

Cool Zr2 · March 15, 2004

On a stock 4.3, a exhaust system isn't really going to give you more hp, if any at all, heck, you might loose some if you do it wrong. But if you have pcm mods, or intake, or cam, or head work, them a exhaust system is a must. *MO*

On my old 4.3, I cut the cat out, bad idea. And all the cat back system (with the cat on there) did was cause me to burn alot more gas cuz I was getting into the gas more to make noise.

But if you want to free up the flow, get a high flow cat, and a flowmaster or equivelent muffler for some cool v-6 sound.

First thing I would do, FIPK, HPP3, 1.6 roller rockers, JBA shorty headers, high flow cat, flowmaster and tails.

ManifestOne · March 16, 2004

Ok , like i said im a newbie, but could someone tell me what FIPK, HPP3 mean? And where could I get a good high flow cat, or tell me a good brand.

Thanks For The Help

Scott

Elwood · March 16, 2004

First let me say "Welcome to the site. I hope you enjoy it and participate as much as you would like in all the forums. We look forward to hearing more from you."

Now to answer some of your questions.....

I like the K&N brand Fuel Injection Performance Kit (FIPK). I just have the K7N filter on my '99 Blazer and I noticed a difference with it. My brother (MountaineerTom) has the FIPK on his '99 Silverado and likes it on that.

Also I've always heard good things about Flowmaster. As for where to get some of this stuff, I'm not the best one to tell you, but you can send Tom a Private Message and I know he could probably help you out.

superbee · March 16, 2004

Catco and Dynamax both make good hi flow cats and Summit Racing carries both

Cool Zr2 · March 16, 2004

You could always swap in a vortec 350.

LikeaRock14 · March 16, 2004

DON'T GO FLOWMASTERS ON A 4.3!!!!!! ESPECIALY THE NEWER ONES!!! I've got a 91 s-10 blazer 4.3 w/ a Spin tech pro street muffler, and it SCREAMS V8!!! You really should say **** off flowmaster or any other muffler, go Spin Tech! The pro street comes as a single in/out only, but if you y it dual out after the outlet, it makes these engines sound so d**n close to a V8 you wont believe it. I've had many people ask if I threw a 5.0 mustang engine under the hood (sounds similar to one when you do a neutral rev). It's a 12" by 4"x6" muffler, small Iknow, but with it's design it cuts interior sound down SO MUCH! A flowmaster would drone on a 4.3 even, and on V6's, flows are WAAAAAY to tinny sounding, especially anything smaller than a 4.3.

I noticed right away that I had a gain in high end torque. It really freed it up a lot! I took off from my neighborhood anf floored it, once it hit around 3500 it started to jump forward a lot more than the stock exhaust. No low end loss, at leastfrom what I noticed. I lost a rod bearing anyways, so that's why I think, so I already lost the low end lol. It has a nice, deep low idle, a smooth aggressive note under harder accleration, and crusing the souinds there, but no drone or tinny sound. I usualy took itmout of overdrive and into3rd around town just so I can hear it hehe.

This is BY FAR the best exhaust setup for any 4.3

As for intakes, I have the K&N and am very pleased. A chip, go Westers all the way baby!

Frank S · March 16, 2004

DON'T GO FLOWMASTERS ON A 4.3!!!!!! ESPECIALY THE NEWER ONES!!! I've got a 91 s-10 blazer 4.3 w/ a Spin tech pro street muffler, and it SCREAMS V8!!! You really should say **** off flowmaster or any other muffler, go Spin Tech! The pro street comes as a single in/out only, but if you y it dual out after the outlet, it makes these engines sound so d**n close to a V8 you wont believe it. I've had many people ask if I threw a 5.0 mustang engine under the hood (sounds similar to one when you do a neutral rev). It's a 12" by 4"x6" muffler, small Iknow, but with it's design it cuts interior sound down SO MUCH! A flowmaster would drone on a 4.3 even, and on V6's, flows are WAAAAAY to tinny sounding, especially anything smaller than a 4.3.
I noticed right away that I had a gain in high end torque. It really freed it up a lot! I took off from my neighborhood anf floored it, once it hit around 3500 it started to jump forward a lot more than the stock exhaust. No low end loss, at leastfrom what I noticed. I lost a rod bearing anyways, so that's why I think, so I already lost the low end lol. It has a nice, deep low idle, a smooth aggressive note under harder accleration, and crusing the souinds there, but no drone or tinny sound. I usualy took itmout of overdrive and into3rd around town just so I can hear it hehe.

This is BY FAR the best exhaust setup for any 4.3

As for intakes, I have the K&N and am very pleased. A chip, go Westers all the way baby!

Funny,I've had several people ask if I've swapped a V8 into my truck with my non Delta series Flowmaster 40.

Anyway,a Hypertech PP3 is a reprogrammer and as mentioned,the FIPK is an air intake system that replaces your factory air intake.I've also considered a V8 swap and still haven't ruled it out but I'm going for ruggedness first because the front ends on 4wd S10's are horrible about standing up to abuse so I'm definitely going for function first.Alot of power can be made up in gearing which is also a route I plan to go.

If you'd really like to add serious power but keep your 4.3 at the same time,look in to an intercooled ATI Procharger system as they are supposed to allow 4.3 4x4 S10's to reach upward of 300 RWHP.

Cool Zr2 · March 16, 2004

Funny,I've had several people ask if I've swapped a V8 into my truck

I get that too for some strange reason.

LikeaRock14 · March 16, 2004

ZR2: You HAVE a V8 in yours!

My exhaust guy does all of his 4.3's that come into the shop with Spin Tech's dualed out unless theyreally want something else, from his experience they sound the best. I honestly believe him too. I've hears Blazers like mine w/ 4.3's equipped with Flows, they don't sound nearly as good. A 40 series origonal would drone pretty bad on a 4.3 to, that's another reason I wouldn't do Flows on a V6. There are occasions where they sound ok, but most I've heard sound like crap.

For a extremely top-notch exhaust system though, I'd seriously reccomend a Spin Tech

Frank S · March 17, 2004

Funny,I've had several people ask if I've swapped a V8 into my truck

I get that too for some strange reason.

Yeah,but I also get "I didn't know that Chevrolet made an S10 that tall".

Elwood · March 17, 2004

I've heard quite a few 4.3's with Flowmasters and they sounded great, and talked to alot of people who have them and love them. I don't know alot about them, or the alternatives, but I know that all the ones I've heard sound good, and everyone I've talked to that has them are happy with them.

ManifestOne · March 17, 2004

Ok hope this isnt too dumb of a question, but here goes. Will adding the spin tech muffler with a high flow car and a better air intake help give better gas mileage?

Sorry if this is dumb, its just that i want a great sound ( that doesnt sound redneck) and i hear that some mufflers and air intakes helps with gas mileage.

Thanks for the help so far.

Scott