Haymaker

Phillips elected to improve engine air intake by reducing exhaust back pressure. (The more efficiently an engine “breathes,” the more power it can produce.) The obvious way to do this was to install headers as well as a cat-back exhaust, which would increase the truck’s low- and mid-rpm torque output—the “grunt” power needed to get through mud, over rocks, and up steep boat ramps. To really maximize the benefits, Stamper also recommended installation of a Hypertech performance chip to create a complete hardware-software package. To maximize power from the increased air flow that the headers provide, Hypertech provided PowerTuning.This program has been designed specifically to complement the air flow changes of the headers and adjusts ignition spark and fuel delivery throughout the engine’s power band.
The result? The power levels obtainable with the headers alone were roughly doubled through the addition of the Hypertech chip. The Chevy now boasts an additional 34 horsepower, achieved without a sacrifice in fuel economy.Also important, the power gains come in the low- to mid-rpm range, where it’s needed most.