Package name: 435 Horsepower RPM E-Tec Roller Cam Total Power Package
For which vehicles? GMC and Chevrolet pickups and SUVs equipped with a small-block Chevy engine
Horsepower gain: About 125 hp compared with Edelbrock's Performer crate engine, which produces 310 hp-actual gains can be much higher depending on the engine in question
Torque gain: About 53 lb-ft when compared with Edelbrock's Performer crate engine, which produces 382 lb-ft of torque-actual gains can be much higher depending on the engine in question
What's in the box?
* RPM Air-Gap intake manifold
* 64cc RPM E-Tec aluminum cylinder heads
* RPM roller camshaft
* Timing chain and gearset
* Lifters
* Intake gasket set
* Hardened pushrod set
* Hardened head bolt set
* Intake bolt set
** Recommended carburetor (not included): Edelbrock Thunder Series 800-cfm
Why would I want it? Edelbrock has spent thousands of hours designing, testing and refining this recipe. These components were designed and engineered specifically to work with one another, so you get great performance and great durability. This setup produces 435 hp at 5,500 rpm and 435 lb-ft of torque, based on a stock-bore 350ci small-block
How much does it cost? Less than $2,500
Contact: Edelbrock, Dept. FW, 2700 California St., Torrance, CA 90503, 310/781-2222, tech line: 800/416-8628, www.edelbrock.com
Package name: Stage Three Performance Package
For which vehicles? GMC and Chevrolet Duramax, Ford Power Stroke and Dodge Cummins diesel trucks
Horsepower gain: Up to 111 hp
Torque gain: Up to 231 lb-ft
What's in the box?
* A MagnaFlow turbo-back or downpipe-back performance exhaust system with 4-inch mandrel-bent stainless steel tubing (even larger 5-inch tubing is available for the Cummins high-output diesel)
* A MagnaFlow mirror-finish performance muffler and a polished 5-inch-diameter tip (or 6-inch tip with 5-inch tubing)
* A K&N Fuel Injection Performance Kit (FIPK)
* MagnaFlow performance tuning for your computer
Why would I want it? The extreme torque gains make it easy to power your truck over obstacles and navigate difficult terrain-not to mention tow or haul heavy loads and pull your friends out of the mud. The extremely easy-to-use hand-held computer programmer comes with an optimal curve to perfectly suit the MagnaFlow exhaust and K&N FIPK for a dramatic but safe increase in power. You also can return to your factory curve at any time or change the performance curve to suit your needs, whether for towing or a change from rockcrawling to desert racing. The K&N intake improves airflow into your engine, while MagnaFlow's mandrel-bent tubing and wide-open muffler design dramatically improve exhaust flow to virtually eliminate backpressure and improve performance.
How much does it cost? Starting at $1,355
Contact: MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust, Dept. FW, 22961 Arroyo Vista, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, 949/858-5900, www.magnaflow.com
Package name: 500 Cubic Inch Big Block Chrysler Stroker Crank Kit
For which vehicles? Trucks equipped with a 440ci Mopar engine
Horsepower gain: Depends on your combination, but the folks over at Mopar Performance built an engine with comparable components that had 9:1 compression, Stage V heads and a rather mild 0.505 lift, 292 duration cam and achieved 505 hp
Torque gain: Again, depends on your combination, but the Mopar Performance mill whomped out 590 lb-ft
What's in the box?
* A brand-new forged 4340 steel crankshaft with a 4.150-inch stroke
* PAW 4340 H-beam connecting rods with 0.990-diameter bushed pin ends
* Custom-made forged pistons
* Moly rings
* Rod bearings
* Main bearings
Why would I want it? Because stroking your engine is the perfect way to produce gobs of bottom-end and mid-range torque, which is exactly what you need. (The kit turns a 440 into a 500-cube monster when you take the block 0.060 over.)
How much does it cost? $2,095
Contact: Performance Automotive Warehouse, Dept. FW, 21001 Nordhoff St., Chatsworth, CA 91311, 818/678-3000, www.pawengineparts.com
Package name: Torque And Horsepower Performance Package
For which vehicles? '99-'04 Chevy Silverado 1500s with the 4.8L/5.3L/6.0L family of engines
Horsepower gain: Up to 50 hp
Torque gain: Up to 68 lb-ft
What's in the box?
* A Gibson after-cat exhaust system
* An Airaid intake system
* Hypertech Power Programmer
Why would I want it? The combination works well due to the increase in airflow-both on the way into your engine and on the way back out. Plus, the computer tuner makes sure your engine takes best advantage of the increase in air. Because this is a torque-oriented package, it's ideal for most four-wheeling situations.
How much does it cost? Starting at $914.95
Contact: 4Wheel Parts, 800/284-9426, www.4wheelparts.com