Improving a 4.8...
07-02-2012, 01:16 AM
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Improving a 4.8...
I am brand new to this forum, coming over from a Dodge forum.
In fact I am brand new to Gm as well! I just sold a built QC Hemi (cam, 6.1 intake, headers, tuned...yada yada), but now im stuck driving my mothers old 2000 Silverado with a 4.8. Obviously her truck is a little less "peppy" than my built Hemi, not to mention nearly 240,000 miles on the odometer!
Anyways, being that I have ZERO experience with any GM motor, I need some help here.
Looking for the best bang for the buck mods for a 4.8. Thought about throwing in a cam with some Z06 springs and hardened rods and some longtubes, but have decided to not go internal.
Therefore, ...
Is it worth the coin for a tune? Blackbear or Nelson?
Or should i throw in some 4.10s? (stock 3.42s with 31.6" tire)
Any comments will help! Thanks!
In fact I am brand new to Gm as well! I just sold a built QC Hemi (cam, 6.1 intake, headers, tuned...yada yada), but now im stuck driving my mothers old 2000 Silverado with a 4.8. Obviously her truck is a little less "peppy" than my built Hemi, not to mention nearly 240,000 miles on the odometer!
Anyways, being that I have ZERO experience with any GM motor, I need some help here.
Looking for the best bang for the buck mods for a 4.8. Thought about throwing in a cam with some Z06 springs and hardened rods and some longtubes, but have decided to not go internal.
Therefore, ...
Is it worth the coin for a tune? Blackbear or Nelson?
Or should i throw in some 4.10s? (stock 3.42s with 31.6" tire)
Any comments will help! Thanks!
07-02-2012, 09:15 AM
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Wheatley tune, longtubes, intake on 3.42s I ran mid 14s. A tune is a great place to start, but gears will make a huge difference. I went from 3.42s to 3.73s and it is night and day, only wish I would have gone lower.
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07-02-2012, 04:18 PM
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I'd do tune, gears, and converter, long tube headers if you can swing them as well. Truck would be a completely different animal with those changes alone.
07-02-2012, 05:21 PM
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I went through this same thing with my 2006 Tahoe 5.3 recently. I got an Airaid MIT tube, long tune headers, ORY, and tune. Much better now, lots more peppy. I already have 4.10 gears which helps a lot too.
07-02-2012, 11:16 PM
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Yikes, a lot of those options are out of my budget. Building my hemi darn near left me broke lol. And considering this truck is temporary and just for getting me through the rest of college, my budget is very limited.
Cam, springs, rods would be at least $800...out of budget.
Boost would probably be the best route because of the increased ring to wall separation, but once again…out of budget.
It pains me to say it but this time im not actually concerned with building power, but rather drivability. Which is why I was leaning towards a tune or a gear swap. I just want to this motor to run “nice”, maybe a little more refined. Believe me I love a tight lsa cam and some long tubes, but this time around I simply cant afford it!
Cam, springs, rods would be at least $800...out of budget.
Boost would probably be the best route because of the increased ring to wall separation, but once again…out of budget.
It pains me to say it but this time im not actually concerned with building power, but rather drivability. Which is why I was leaning towards a tune or a gear swap. I just want to this motor to run “nice”, maybe a little more refined. Believe me I love a tight lsa cam and some long tubes, but this time around I simply cant afford it!