Firestorm91tt (Intro)

firestorm91tt · December 28, 2004

Hello fellow truck people,

Please allow me to introduce myself real quick and ask some some newbie questions if you dont mind. My name is Curt and live in SW Florida. I am the second owner of a 1994 GMC Sierra SL 1500 step side truck. It has a 4.3L V-6, automatic tranny, 2WD and no power options. I dont even have a tach!

Anywho, as of recently I was wanting to get rid of my lil truck but just cant seem to part with it. My Dad helped me buy her so there is a ton of sentimental value in regards to her. I purchased the truck 7 years ago with 108k on the ticker...she now has 225k and still going..cant beat the gas mileage on a lil V-6. Just today I upgraded the old nasty work truck version front end that featured 2 sealed beam head lights to the newer 98 style composites and I must say she looks good. Now the truck needs work of course but is still in good shape.

Here is some of my questions:

When I really get on her she'll hesistat at times and nearly die...then when I pick up speed it seems to plateau at a certain speed appox 45mph (hi end rpms) until I let off the accelerator a bit then the tranny will shift. Anyone have a remote clue as to where I can start fishing around at possibly fixing this? Is it the tranny itself or possibly something else I need to address?

Also...I am interested in buying a complete new exhaust for the truck from the mainfolds back. Where do you guys suggest I buy from and get the best bang for the buck? I know its only a lil V-6 but want to give her the stuff it deserves. The truck is totally stock so if you'd like to throw up a potential mod list with appox prices that would be great and very appriciated.

Thanks for looking and more posts to come...ttyl

asilverblazer · December 28, 2004

blah, blah, blah...
Here is some of my questions:

When I really get on her she'll hesistat at times and nearly die...then when I pick up speed it seems to plateau at a certain speed appox 45mph (hi end rpms) until I let off the accelerator a bit then the tranny will shift. Anyone have a remote clue as to where I can start fishing around at possibly fixing this? Is it the tranny itself or possibly something else I need to address?

blah, blah, blah...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

First off welcome aboard.

In a semi-answer to the question. I had an old blazer that would did this before it's tranny went out. I think it also has a little to with lack of power/age. The engine not creating enough oomph for the transmission to shift.

firestorm91tt · December 29, 2004

blah, blah, blah...
Here is some of my questions:

When I really get on her she'll hesistat at times and nearly die...then when I pick up speed it seems to plateau at a certain speed appox 45mph (hi end rpms) until I let off the accelerator a bit then the tranny will shift. Anyone have a remote clue as to where I can start fishing around at possibly fixing this? Is it the tranny itself or possibly something else I need to address?

blah, blah, blah...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

First off welcome aboard.

In a semi-answer to the question. I had an old blazer that would did this before it's tranny went out. I think it also has a little to with lack of power/age. The engine not creating enough oomph for the transmission to shift.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

any way to test this theroy.......maybe a compression test?

asilverblazer · December 29, 2004

blah, blah, blah...
Here is some of my questions:

When I really get on her she'll hesistat at times and nearly die...then when I pick up speed it seems to plateau at a certain speed appox 45mph (hi end rpms) until I let off the accelerator a bit then the tranny will shift. Anyone have a remote clue as to where I can start fishing around at possibly fixing this? Is it the tranny itself or possibly something else I need to address?

blah, blah, blah...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

First off welcome aboard.

In a semi-answer to the question. I had an old blazer that would did this before it's tranny went out. I think it also has a little to with lack of power/age. The engine not creating enough oomph for the transmission to shift.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

any way to test this theroy.......maybe a compression test?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Theory is a very good word. I always thought the older transmissions were controlled by vacuum off the motor. If that is the case the motor not pulling enough vacuum at high rpm's to cause the transmission to shift. I've probably got all the technicalities wrong, but I felt in my case that the motor wasn't strong enough in one sense or another. Compression test, Not sure if that will help diagnose the problem or not.

With as many miles as are on the truck it still could very well be the transmission. I hope someone with more specific expertise will hop in because I don't know enough about the transmission/motor communications, and what exactly controls shifting.