Hey Guys,
My dad just purchased a Silverado SS, and he's already itching to start tweaking it. He's adamant about turbocharging it, but I told him that he may want to consider supercharging it instead. This'll be his daily driver, so I'm thinking he should go with the more reliable setup... which would be? I tried searching the site for posts regarding the turbocharging or supercharging of the 6.0 LS1, but I didn't have much luck. Have any of you had success boosting your 6.0? Would you suggest turbocharging or supercharging, and what are the steps involved? Any light you can shed on the subject would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Eddie.

 

Welcome to the site. I think your dad bought a great truck, but I'm biased.

The easiest option would be the Magnacharger Radix supercharer. Its a complete kit that works well for a daily driver. The more complicated setup would be a turbo, but it would have more potiential. There are lota of posts on both subjects here, just search for them.

Richard

 

What Tex just said

Again for referance there is an SS with a radix in my area that ran 13.8 with just the Radix setup. He then did a 75shot on it and went 12.5@107mph or some mph very close to that.

I went turbo because of the power potential and the total amount of power under the curve but if I were to recomend a kit for someone as a simple turn key setup I would do the Radix or the STS base kit at 5-6psi. The STS base kit is good for 340rwhp or so on a 5.3L so the SS should be quite a bit more.

 

My dad as an 03 SS. He has a radix w/ the 3.4 pulley, FLP long tubes, volant intake, and a corsa catback. It is a great set up. He has 10k miles on it and other than installing bolting everything we have not had to touch it. it has been 100% reliable for him. It drives just like it did before we did it, but now it hauls ***. we raced it with my moms 04 c5 and the truck pulled the vette by a fender lenght. I would recommend this set up to anyone one who wants alot power with great reliability and drivability. But i hear the turbos kits are haulin' *** though.

 

Are you in a smog state? If so this has to be considered in the decision process if he doesn't want hassles in the future.

The 6.0 HO has a higher compression than the rest of the truck motors and can therefore not take as much boost as the lower compression motors. Try not to go overboard with power mods, it's very easy to exceed the 4L65-E transmission's capabilities with a force-fed 6.0.

 

A radix would be the best for a daily driver truck. They make the most complete kit and probably have the simplest install, and will not require any extra parts to take advantage of the power it makes.

I love my procharger, Its not the greatest if you are looking for an easy bolt on blower but I like it. A turbo will really make you fast but the radix will probably give you the most useable power. There are a lot of people having good success with forced induction on these trucks.

however, the tranny will definately be an issue with a torquey blower like a radix

 

I would go with the STS kit. Anytime you consider adding "A little" performance, you will want more inevitably. Those Turbos make full boost by 3K and make some pretty crazy power.

 

The Radix would be much simpler. If you want something that will grow with you if you want more, I'd get a STS.

 

I have the Radix on my SS, up to 24K miles so far, no problems. Drop by www.SilveradoSS.com and check the Engine Tech section. There are a couple of guys doing turbos and seem to be happy so far. But the turbo setup is real new, so there is not as much info out there as the Radix.