2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The 2016 iteration of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has the pickup riding on a fully-boxed, high-strength steel ladder frame, with increased structural rigidity on the forward rocker panel and A-pillars to improve crash test ratings. On the exterior, this K2XX based Silverado 1500 gets a mild refresh of its front fascia. The stacked headlights are gone, the grille has been changed and a new hood with bolder, more muscular lines replaces the old steel version. Underneath the now aluminum hood can sit one of three EcoTec3 engines: a 4.3L V6, a 5.3L V8 and a high powered 6.2L V8. The V6, rated at 295 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque, is the standard engine on Work, LS and LT trim levels. The 5.3L - optional for those aforementioned models - comes standard on LTZ and High Country editions, packing 355 horsepower and also being paired with a 8L90 transmission for the first time. Finally, at 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, the 6.2L is the most powerful engine offered for LTZ and High Country labeled trucks.
Great First Modification
If you're unsure where to begin with modifying a 2016 Silverado 1500, a cold air intake and tuner kit is a smart choice. The EcoTec3 engine family, with direct injection and active fuel management, is very responsive to a combination of these two performance items. And since the intake and tuner are sold as a matched set, the overall performance gains will be higher as opposed to buying a tuner and cold air intake separate from each other. In a nutshell, 2016 Chevy Silverado owners can expect a gain of 20-40 horsepower (moreso the V8 engines) using a combo kit. The new air intake optimizes flow through to the throttle body via careful placement of the air filter, and the air filter itself is less restrictive than stock thanks to its increased filter area and depth loading nature. The tuner then comes into play by hammering home these new found efficiencies - re-mapping the ECU to account for the cold air intake alongside changing the spark advance, fuel tables and gasoline octane level. If all out performance isn't your top priority, most tuners come pre-loaded with other choices such as towing or economy. In those cases, engine parameters are tweaked accordingly to provide the best results under each driving scenario. AFM deactivation, speedometer calibration, transmission shift control, sensor diagnostic and live data - these are just some of the other features the tuner can interface with and change.
From Stock to Hotrod
If you find your 2016 Silverado 1500 is too quiet but aren't in the market to splurge for an entire new exhaust system, then likely an electronic exhaust cutout is a great substitute.
- Inexpensive
- Touch button operation
- Easy sound level control
Integrating with the pre-existing exhaust system, an electronic exhaust cutout provides a complete change in exhaust note with the flip of a switch. Built from a combination of aluminum and stainless steel components, an exhaust cutout is essentially a butterfly valve - in this case actuated electronically via a servo motor - that routes the exhaust normally through the muffler (closed or off position) or instead dumps it directly overboard (open position). With the switch flipped on, the cutout valve opens and the exhaust is now being dumped without going through the muffler, creating a very aggressive sound without a major investment. Once you've had your fill of a roaring V8 (or to show some respect to your neighbors for those early morning departures), flip the switch off and the valve closes, returning the Silverado to its normal sound level. Electronic cutouts are sold in a variety of sizes (2.5", 3" and 3.5") in order to match up properly with the size of piping used on the truck. They don't have to be used exclusively with an OEM exhaust system - for all out aggressive sound they can be paired with an aftermarket performance exhaust and really crank up the sound. In terms of installation, some kits are bolt on using specially flanged exhaust clamps whereas others opt for a weld-in procedure.
