97 half ton

**zeetwentyeight** · 06-24-2010, 04:13 PM

Anybody know of any free mods for a 1997 chev k1500 with the 350 vortech?
Its the automatic

**IH8EVRY1** · 06-24-2010, 05:30 PM

Subscribed! Or anywhere links to sites that mod these trucks?

**MICopper11** · 06-24-2010, 05:31 PM

Fullsizechevy.com is a great site to check out. I'm a member there with my truck.

**HOBS** · 06-24-2010, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by zeetwentyeight

Anybody know of any free mods for a 1997 chev k1500 with the 350 vortec?
Its the automatic

Fixed and subscribed.

**rel3rd** · 06-28-2010, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by zeetwentyeight

Anybody know of any free mods for a 1997 chev k1500 with the 350 vortech?
Its the automatic

Before my 2002 Z71 (4wd) Silverado, I had a 2wd 97 extended cab/short bed Silverado. It was a great truck that served me well...so well, that I regret not keeping it and giving it to my son when he got his license.

Don't know of any "free" mods unfortunately, although there may be some listed on fullsizechevy or performancetrucks sites? I'd imagine you can modify the stock airbox just like I did to my 2002. It works GREAT and cost nothing but a half hour's time with a cutoff wheel. I cut the bottom of my stock airbox out so that it got cooler (and more) air from between the bumper and inner fenderwell.

Here is link to see picture, just scroll down to last reply:
http://performancetrucks.net/forums/...d.php?t=455345

Anyway, mine responded well to just a few fairly cheap and simple, "cookie cutter" mods.

1. K&N cold air intake (FIPK is what they call it, but you can pretty much duplicate it for a LOT cheaper using EBAY)
2. Dynomax one into two "dual" exhaust

Without a good way to actually tune the truck, there really isn't many more mods you can do IMHO. Headers would be nice, but probably a little much for the stock PCM to compensate for.

I tried both a Hypertech Power Programmer III and a JET handheld programmer, BOTH of which are JUNK as far as I am concerned. It ran better STOCK than it did with either of their so-called "performance tunes" in the truck...sadly, 98 is the first year that can be tuned with HPTuners, or any REAL tuning solution, so you're kinda screwed there. You can convert to a newer PCM and use HPTuners to tune with, but I was just looking for a better than stock running truck, and not a race truck. I chose not to spend the time and money doing a PCM swap. With 373's that I had stock, the truck ran great with just an exhaust and CAI. It would keep up with most newer, stock (or near stock) LS powered trucks, and had no problem towing a heavy car and trailer when need be...

One of the common problems with them is intake gaskets literally blowing out and spewing antifreeze, usually without warning. I had to replace mine at about 135,000 miles, but I've seen them go bad much sooner, and much later, so there seems to not be any specific time this happens...but it WILL happen. Just replace them with the revised GM gaskets and you're good to go.

Good Luck with it.

**zeetwentyeight** · 06-29-2010, 06:32 AM

Thanks for the reply, i checked out that picture and isnt that down in the wheel well?
Wouldnt you get water in there?

**rel3rd** · 06-29-2010, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by zeetwentyeight

Thanks for the reply, i checked out that picture and isnt that down in the wheel well?
Wouldnt you get water in there?

No, not at all. The space you see is between the plastic inner fender, and the rear side of the front bumper. Any water is directed down from that plastic fenderwell.