V6 Bolt-On List

This is the place for all those mods

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green02crew
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V6 Bolt-On List

Post by green02crew »

Found on multiple other s-series sites so I figured I'd add it here too as it may help some with their quest to improve power, not trying to plagiarize.



V6 Bolt on List


These modifications are only the most common and reliable modifications. There are others out there, however.
All of the approximate horsepower gains are based on a 100% stock motor. Gains will be reduced when more modifications have been done to your engine (that means you simply can't add horsepower figures).
Prices are also approximate, and are based on what I have personally seen or been told about.

** in front of the modification indicates a possible increase in gas mileage.


Horsepower Gains

Substantial Gains (Greater than 50 hp): Typically very expensive and require good working knowledge of your engine and custom modification and involved hands on work.

- Supercharger................System Dependent Hp......................System Dependent Cost
- Turbocharger................System Dependent Hp......................System Dependent Cost
- Engine Swap................Engine Dependent Hp.......................Engine Dependent Cost
- Nitrous.........................35-75 hp w/Stock Internals; 100 hp+ w/aftermarket internals $500-$2000+
- New Intake...................Would have to be a custom fabricated unit

Very Good Gains (15-50 hp): Typically same requirements as the Substantial Gains category, and are typically done in preparation for a Substantial Gain Modification or just by themselves.

- Custom Computer Programming (if applicable)......
Program and Engine Dependent hp...............................15-30 hp......$250-$600
- Head Work (Pocket porting)/Valve Job/Larger Valves....
(all usually done at the same time)................................15-30 hp......$15-$500
- Cam............................................... ............................20-30 hp......$100-$300
- Bore and Stroke................................
- Pistons........................................... ..
- Crankshaft.......................................

Good Gains (5-15 hp): This is your typical 'Bolt-on' list where jobs can be completed in an afternoon or weekend. A good deal of these modifications are walked through on the S-10 Planet Tech section.

- **Exhaust Headers........................................... ......................10-15 hp.........$300-$550
- **Intake Tract- K&N Gen. II, Custom or similar...........................5-10 hp...........$50-$250
- Aftermarket Pulleys........................................... ......................3-19 hp...........$65-$225
- Computer Modules (Jet Stage 1 or 2, ADS, etc- 96+ years)........5-13 hp...........$200-$350
- Computer Chips (pre-96)............................................... ...........5-18 hp..........$100-$200
- Computer Programmer Units (Hypertech, etc- 96-99)..................5-12 hp..........$300-$400
- **Exhuast Cat-Back System (or just aftermarket muffler).............5-10 hp..........$50-$500
- **E-fan (instead of clutch fan).............................................. ......5-10 hp..........$100-$250
- Diffuser Removal (throttle blade butterfly)(96+ years)...................5-7 hp............FREE
- EGR Limiter (Plate for pre-96, S-10 Planet Adapter for 96+).........5-7 hp........... $10-$40
- **Vararam VR Velocity Stack (96-04).........................................5-7 hp...........$30
- **Exhuast Y-pipe (Shop built or SLP).........................................5-7 hp............$150-$250
- 1.5, 1.52, or 1.6 Roller Tipped Rocker Arms................................2-8 hp...........$50-$200
- 1.5, 1.52, or 1.6 Full Roller Rocker Arms....................................5-12 hp..........$200-$900
- **Throttle body spacer ONLY for TBI or Carbed Engines...............5-9 hp............$25-$125
- Venom Computer System (works at part throttle only)..................7-10 hp..........$250-$350
- Fuel Pressure Regulator (helps mainly TBI engines).....................?-?? hp..........$75-$150

"Gains" (0-5 hp): More 'Bolt-ons', but ones that simply produce less power

- **High Flow Catalytic Converter......................................... .....2-5 hp.............$75-$150
- **Full Synthetics (Engine, Transmission, Differentials)..............2-5 hp.............$50-$300
- Powerdyne's Throttle Body spacer (non TBI or Carb)............... 3-5hp..............$100
* Resonator Removal (2000 and up)..........................................3-5 hp.............FREE-$50
- Lower temp thermostat (160 for pre 2000s, 170 for 00+)...........1-3 hp.............$5- $20
- IAT relocation mod............................................... .................1-3 hp.............$2-$10
- Programmer (Hypertech, etc- 99+)..........................................3-5 hp.............$300-$400
- **K&N Panel Air Filter (Stock replacement)..............................1-3 hp.............$35-$50
- **MSD or similar Ignition Amplifier (engine runs better though)....1-3 hp.............$100-$250
- **Ignition Coil.............................................. ...........................0-2 hp.............$40-$60
- **Lower Resistance Plug Wires............................................. ..0-1 hp.............$30-$100
- MAF De-screening (96+ years)............................................ ....0-2hp..............FREE
- PCV Breather Mod............................................... ..................0-2 hp.............$5-$10

Modifications that Simply Lighten Your Wallet (0 hp or negative hp gains):

- IAT modifications bought off of Ebay, "Timing chips" for $1, $5, etc.
- Throttle body spacers for non-TBI or carbed engines (basically the newer motors)
- Casper TPS-TEC for pre-2001 trucks (works, but could be done for free)
- Tornado Air Management System or similar amazing swirly system
- Granatelli MAF or Aftermarket mass airflow sensors (w/o a reflash on a stock motor)
- Special spark plugs (think Bosch +4)
- ZMAX
- Electric Superchargers
- Extra Ground Wire Kits (won't hurt, but won't help)
- Porting and/or removing the center bar in the MAF (negative numbers)

Other modifications to improve acceleration:

Making the Truck Lighter:

- **Fiberglass Hoods & Body Parts
- **Tubular Control Arms & 4 Links
- **Drilled Rotors

Be creative -- Do you really need carpet or a passenger seat at the strip?


Aerodynamics (Help out especially at highway speeds, but help out looks at lower speeds)

- **Replace stock mirrors...........................$140
- **Tonneau cover......................................$200
- **Headlight covers (Sealed beam lights).....$20
- **Remove Roof rack if applicable...............FREE

Again, be creative. If something can be improved, go for it!


Transmission Improvement:

- Shift Kit (manual or electronic) .................................................. ..........$30-$40
- Corvette or better Servo............................................. ..........................$20-$50
- B&M Trick Shift Fluid (not for electronically controlled transmissions)......$40-$50
- Other High-Grade Synthetic Fluid............................................. ............$40-$50
- Torque Converter (automatic)
- Clutches (manual)

Traction and Handling Improvement:

- Ladder bars or 4 Link
- Traction Bars or 3rd Shock
- Limited Slip Differential
- Wider and/or Softer Tires
- Drag Shocks
- Battery Relocation
- **Ring and Pinion Gears
- Polyurethane Bushings

__________________________________________________


Question: Can I just add up the advertised horsepower gains from each modification I make? FOR EXAMPLE: 10HP From a cold air intake, 20HP From an exhaust (cat-back) system, and 20HP from a header, for a total of 50 horsepower?

Answer: Simply put, not all HP/Torque gains can be added straight up. Though adding up advertised peak gains from each part is not a bad starting point, use the advertised gains as a target gain, then use some common sense. If it is a complicated issue consult a sales representative. Here's an example: If you install a cold air intake and a cat-back exhaust, you can reasonably add the HP gains, because you are modifying two separate, yet complimentary parts. If you add a cold air intake, heat shield, and MAS without changing anything else, you will typically get something less than the sum of the peak gains advertised by each part. "Forecasting" or "predicting" peak horsepower gains is an inaccurate science. Do not be discouraged if chassis dyno "peak" numbers are not exactly what you expect. Pay attention to gains anywhere in the torque curve. Low and midrange torque gains are usually much more beneficial and seat-of-the-pants noticeable than peak gains alone. The total area under the dyno curve is the horsepower that counts, not spikes or peaks!
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green02crew
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Post by green02crew »

Just to note:

The "Vararam VR Velocity Stack" was proven bogus by HJ.

Some mods are directed towards other models not crews.

Some may disagree with gains of certain mods.
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Post by green02crew »

Sticky for quick finding? Your choice HJ, I know its on most sites already.
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Post by HenryJ »

green02crew wrote:Sticky for quick finding? Your choice HJ, I know its on most sites already.
A few nice ideas, but more than half can be shot down. About a quarter of it does not apply to the crew cab trucks.

This is one of those lists that does fit into a forum like S10Forum.com , S-series.org or S-10Planet.com. There are lots of kids there looking to beat a Mustang. Most of the old farts around here are looking for snake oil to gain another .5 mpg.

The bad thing about a list like this is the whole package needs to work together and each component requires another to work well. I think the list will spark some discussion. Then you can research each modification and learn the pros and cons.

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Post by green02crew »

Oh I agree entirely but it is a nice reference list for some engine modifications for those looking to gain hp and mpg. I thought it would be good just for those that haven't found it on one of the other sites already.
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Post by HenryJ »

Things like the diffuser removal , MAFS screen removal, ignition wires, ignition coil, y-pipe, fuel pressure regulator, etc will add no horsepower. We already have a highflow cat , so that one should also be gone.

The whole list seems to continue this way. As with any list, it may be in the eyes of the beholder and be more vehicle specific than you really know. This list applied to an early model s-series might be much more helpful.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
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Post by green02crew »

But its also fun to go down through the list and check off what you have and drool over what you don't! :lol:
2002 S-10 Crew Cab
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