2004 Silverado 4.3 V6 Vortec

[Lethedethius]

Ok so I am implementing various aero mods theoretically at this point,

However I thought of upgrading the ignition system.

My understanding of truly getting a better spark is to start from the very beginning, meaning replacing the cap and rotor, the coil, the wires, and the spark plugs.

I read a lot about the Halo spark plugs which sound-phenomenal but probably a phony dream. Also the E3, Champion, NGK as well as Pulstar plugs were on the list.

I once had a guy at Oreilly tell me to avoid NGK in my american built motor but I'm starting to disregard that, I had great feedback in my 93 Civic (it's sold now). I would imagine they put the same talent into anything they build.

I am also working on a 1972 El Camino, pretty much upgrading the entire electrical system to MSD standards. My goal is to replace the old worn out components with something that will create a much cleaner and complete burn.

Three Areas of Focus:

What to avoid(meaning irridium, platinum, silver tips).

With no regard for the wallet (meaning MSD everything or ACCEL Everything)

Moderate electrical gains keeping the change in my pocket (Is there a Bosche component that accomplishes similar results)

Any feedback is appreciated but please don't tell me to not bother with the electrical system. A fact of life, cleaner burn means higher efficiency, which means longevity of the engine and less gas deposits in the oil, which results in changing the oil less.

[Frank Lee]

Old ignitions systems had lots of room for improvement. Newer ones, not so much.

[Lethedethius]

What about increasing the grounds on the silverado? Would that help in a minor way? I know that increasing grounds on any vehicle will create better clarity in sound and make headlights brighter, I know this through research of my own as well as reading others.

[Frank Lee]

If the ground is already a good low/no resistance connection, does adding another one make it gooder?

Maybe. Can't hurt. Maybe if the original one starts to deteriorate the extra one takes over. Or the extra one goes right to a component that needs grounding, instead of taking a circuitous path.

[oil pan 4]

A 2004 GM product may be old enough to benifit from an injector up grade.
Just up grading injectors to the newest generation had been fairly popular for fuel injected vehicles made before 2001.

Out of site aero mods will likely produce the most results by far for the lowest cost.

[mechman600]

IMHO, I wouldn't waste money on spark plugs other than OEM recommended. Any test I have ever read on the various "improved" plug designs, whether double electrode, quadruple electrode, pulstar, super duper zapster plasma nitride kaboom, etc., are a huge waste of money. I say huge waste, because Pulstars are something like $25 a pop (X6 = $150!!!) and do squat for improvement. Frank Lee nailed it: modern ignition systems like yours don't need any help. If they did, GM would have done it from the factory. Spend your $150 on aeromods, a block heater (if it doesn't already have one) or a taller ratio diff from a scrap yard (or way taller skinny tires and a torch to saw springs to compensate...ha!). But that's just my $0.02.

[Lethedethius]

I like the bit about replacing fuel injectors-though mine are no where near the expiration-so I will keep them.

I have a 72 el camino I'm working on, with it being a project car I may likely patch up the entire underbelly of it-attempt to get it to 20 mpg. My question: what fuel/electrical upgrades can I do to it that would be effective, within reason.

Electric Fuel Injection is out of the question.

[mechman600]

I would leave the El-Camino as a cool project car for the odd cruise, but that's it. The only way to ecomod one of those is to get rid of it and buy something newer and smaller. I highly doubt that cleaning up the underside will make any noticeable difference, as most of the energy waste in that car is in the engine. Old V8s are very efficient at converting fuel into heat and noise, not forward motion. I imagine a tiny 2-barrel carb, smog-sized valves and economy camshaft and a perfect ignition curve in a fresh rebuild might gain a few mpg. Not to mention a ridiculously tall axle ratio and lockup torque converter or manual trans. But at what cost?

[Frank Lee]

Old V8s are very efficient at converting fuel into heat and noise, not forward motion.

Ha- reminds me of my friend's boat tailed Riviera with a 455- goose it from a stop and the front end goes up in the air and twists, but the car doesn't move forward.

[Lethedethius]

well I can get a 700R4 Transmission for about $200-400 dollars, I'm sure the transmission would gain me a gallon or two-it's overdrive.