Power Increase within a College Budget... Impossible?

[mike1305]

So I just got my shiny new spiffy wheels and tires and I am happy with how the truck looks, rides, and handles. But I have noticed yet another power loss (the first coming with the 225 to 265 increase).

I need a new air filter, but that is far from a solution. I was curious if beefed up spark plugs did anything for power, or just waste gas? The only real things I can do at this point are exhaust, headers, or forced induction. which are all expensive and on next year's budget.


That or chipping my car, but it's not like I take the damn thing to the track!

 

[kregg]

So I just got my shiny new spiffy wheels and tires and I am happy with how the truck looks, rides, and handles. But I have noticed yet another power loss (the first coming with the 225 to 265 increase).

I need a new air filter, but that is far from a solution. I was curious if beefed up spark plugs did anything for power, or just waste gas? The only real things I can do at this point are exhaust, headers, or forced induction. which are all expensive and on next year's budget.


That or chipping my car, but it's not like I take the damn thing to the track!

mike- Is your truck a 4cyl. or the 3.4?

 

[p nut]

The only way you will gain any substantial power is forced induction. Better save up for the supercharger.

And to answer your question, spark plugs will not do anything.

 

[The Dude]

Rather than spending money on headers, exhaust, chipping, etc. I'd put that towards regearing. That would probably be the most cost-effective way of gaining back the power you had with your 225's.

 

[mike1305]

Rather than spending money on headers, exhaust, chipping, etc. I'd put that towards regearing. That would probably be the most cost-effective way of gaining back the power you had with your 225's.

Great idea. Could I take it to any transmission shop and have them set me up with close-geared 1-3 and a long 4th gear for highway driving?

 

[The Dude]

Not sure what the drill is, since I never regeared after upsizing my tires....but someone else on this board might be able to help you better with it.

 

[kregg]

regearing has nothing to do with the transmission, the gears you would change would be ring and pinion gears in the rear differential... IMHO the tire size jump isn't extreme enough to go through the trouble of regearing... if you had jumped up to 35's i could see it... not to mention it's not really college budget friendly either... just my $0.02...

 

[mike1305]

regearing has nothing to do with the transmission, the gears you would change would be ring and pinion gears in the rear differential... IMHO the tire size jump isn't extreme enough to go through the trouble of regearing... if you had jumped up to 35's i could see it... not to mention it's not really college budget friendly either... just my $0.02...

Ahh, I gotcha. :bigok: I was thinking about having the transmission inspected anyways since I drove the car like a re**** in the days of my blissful youth (well, high school anyways). Every once in a while I get a horrible smell of something burning when I get on the gas.

I guess I'll just have to deal. It's not like I drive an FX or something.

 

[move120]

trd badge is all you need my friend

i got like 695 hp