Hey, I know there are some people who have upgraded the 4.2 with chips and exhaust, I just want to know what is the best and least exspensive to get. I just got the truck and want to play with it a little. Any info or input will help. Someday there will be a big V8 in my 98 STX.

 

Check out my signature....Basically the first 3 things everyone recommends is doing the exhaust, intake, then a superchip. THose 3 will probably run you about $500-$600 depending on your choice of manufacturer. I did the exhaust first, then the intake, then the chip. I'm pretty sure you should do the exhaust and intake before the chip as it may require special programming. Plus, you get much better performance with these 3 mods than if you just gota superchip....These are my suggestions...I hope they help.

 

JerrySTX-

Save yourself some time, hassle, and money-

1. Buy a K&N replacement air filter for the stock air box. Leave the box complete (un-modified) just as the factory delivered it- except with the K&N filter. Don't bother with those 'FIPK' type air intakes. Price $45.

2. Cut that water heater sized BUS muffler out of the exhaust and replace it with a performance muffler of your choice. Glasspacks, Flowmasters, any will do a wonderful job of opening up the truck and making it sound better. Stick with the single 2.5" pipe, though so you don't lose bottom-end torque. Price $18-$75 depending on the muffler you choose.

The truck will run significantly better with just these two mods. Now the third mod I would suggest would be a chip. DiabloSport and Superchips appear to be the biggest players in the market right now for performance chips. Steer clear of JET and Hypertech. . .they can't hold a candle to Diablo & Superchips. Price $200-$250.

These three mods alone should make your truck noticeably quicker and much more fun to drive. It'll sound better, too.
I have heard of people not doing the chip as the third mod and instead changing the rear end gears to either a 3.73:1 or 4.10:1 (depending on transmission), too. It's a bit pricey, but it's worth a solid 1/2 second in the quarter. Remember to have your PCM corrected to match the new gear ratio you choose. The dealer can do this for you (free if they change the gears. . .)

Hope this info helps-

 

Jerry- You csn do just the K&N filter in the stock box, I tried it and the old seatometer couldn't tell a difference. IF you don't want to spend the money on a aftermarket FIPK type air intake, do one of the poor boy mods with a K&N filter. As for exhaust I'm now running a FlowMaster 50 series SI/DO all 2.5 pipe to back bumper has very little loss of lowend torque. (seatometer again)
In those two mods I might have 275.00 in them.
Paul

 

I have a 97 4.2 with 114,000 mi., did the poor boy fipk mod with a K&N airfilter (cut the stock box to expose the filter) and had Midas install a Ravin 55z muffler in place of the stock. I get about 4 more mpg and much better throttle responce (mostly through mid range). Low end torque actually improved (I tow a 20' boat and the engine definately did not have to work as hard). The muffler is definately throatier and you can barely hear the sucking sound of the added air intake. I spoke with a tech at Super-Chips and these were the mods he recomended (said not to go with a cat back exhaust). He also told me that unless I wanted to burn nothing but premium gas not to buy a Super-Chip. I worked out the performance stats with/without a superchip and the added performance would end up costing about $16 more a month in gas even with the increased gas milage.

With the punie 3.08:1 gears I have, this truck was a dog! It is much better now and after I go to the 3.73:1 gears then it should be like a new truck. hope this helps.

 

P40whk- Is your Ravin 55z muffler a SI/SO or a SI/DO like my flowmaster? I seem to have lost just a little low end with mine.