1988 K1500
Question:
Go to the junkyard and pull the motor out of a wrecked troopers car. I put it in my truck and it flies (rebuilt)
Response:
I have a ‘93 GMC with the 5.7L. If you look at the intake coming off the air cleaner housing, there is a "canister" attached to the fender, pull off the tube going to the air filter, undo the clamp and look through this thing. You will see it neck down from about a 4×3 inch oval to about a 1 1/2 inch venturi, this is used to keep the airflow up and the intake noise down. I used a Dremel to cut this out, it is like an insert, and noticed an increase in power, and a very slight intake whine. Most shops say that the stock catalytic is just fine for the flow from a "mostly" stock 350, but the exhaust should be changed for a more free flow type. I went 3". Changing the thermostat without changing the computer chip to use this lower temperature will do no good. If you put in a 140 degree thermostat, the computer will think there is a problem and will run the engine very rich to try to get the temp up, and all that will do is foul the plugs and suck gas even worse. If you aren’t using a lot of electrical accessories, you can switch to an electric fan and get rid of the stock radiator fan. Also you can put on different pulleys on the belt driven accessories, but I don’t know anyone that has ever done that.. has some consequences. I put a hypertech chip in my truck and it made quite a bit of difference, more torque, better shifts, no speed limiter at 105 MPH, limited gains on the MPG (too much lead foot!) you can go the $$$$$$ route and get an aftermarket ignition system, or blower, but that is a lot of $$ to spend on a 87 engine with how many miles?? Mine is getting close to the 100 grand, and I tend to treat it with a bit more respect, cause I don’t have the $$ to replace it. Hope this helps a bit. Sierra GT
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Yes both of these items will gain you power and should gain you some mpg. I > would suggest looking at replacing the stock catalic converter with a high > flow unit too. A 180 or even a 160 degree thermostat would help slightly > also. Good luck. > I’m trying to find a way to squeeze some more power out of my ‘88 K1500. > It has the 5.7L, and is stock from the factory. I have seen articles > mentioning replacing the air filter (getting rid of all of the factory > air box parts) as well as changing the exhaust to a cat back type. Any > suggestions with either these items, or any others?
Response:
I’m trying to find a way to squeeze some more power out of my ‘88 K1500. It has the 5.7L, and is stock from the factory. I have seen articles mentioning replacing the air filter (getting rid of all of the factory air box parts) as well as changing the exhaust to a cat back type. Any suggestions with either these items, or any others?
Response:
Yes both of these items will gain you power and should gain you some mpg. I would suggest looking at replacing the stock catalic converter with a high flow unit too. A 180 or even a 160 degree thermostat would help slightly also. Good luck.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m trying to find a way to squeeze some more power out of my ‘88 K1500. > It has the 5.7L, and is stock from the factory. I have seen articles > mentioning replacing the air filter (getting rid of all of the factory > air box parts) as well as changing the exhaust to a cat back type. Any > suggestions with either these items, or any others?
