I looking to get a nnbs denali here soon. My plans for it are cam,headers, exhaust,cai, gears, tune...then later possibly a little blower. Pretty much i wanna have a fullsize truck that can surprise the mess outta people. I know denalis mainly come in awd but they also have a 2wd verison with higher gears and bigger rearend. I know the awd will have better traction but how will the front end hold up to high HP #s?

 

You will be fine either or, what HP goals do you have? Might even blow the stock 6.2L before the power train lol no but all jokes a side they hold up pretty good my 2wd Denali drive train is holding ok so far

 

well with HP goals ill always want more . but if i can get 450 to the wheels without a blower ill be happy! and if i decide I want more ill throw some forged internals. I just didnt want to buy a awd and start performance mods and realize the front end cant hold up.

 

450 to the wheels is easy on a 2wd idk bout them AWD

 

yeah im thinking on playing it safe and just getting me a 2wd. so if I decide on a blower I wont have any problems.

 

Double check into a dyno that can fit the AWD wheelbase as they are hard to find unless you know someone with 4 dynapacs. A place comes up for Mobile, AL but I was never able to confirm them.

AWD and tuning on a dyno is something easily overlooked as most dynos will fit a Tahoe wheelbase or Caddy, but not the 143" I think it is for the Sierra Denali's.

 

Im pretty sure the 2wd and AWD have the same gear ratios.

 

3.42 stock gearing on both as far as I know

 

If its a short term affair go awd, if its a long term dream 2x4 will last the duration and then some. Trans will be your limiting factor long before the engine or diff if your tune is right. Im not sure what the awd power limits are though. Havent seen many 9 second Denalis either.... Need some vids of the fast trucks here where are they boys?

 

werent the SS trucks and TB SS AWD? because I have seen some supercharged and twin turbod. So maybe there is a way to way a haulin AWD denali? I dont need a 9 sec truck (my future mustang LS3 swap is for that ) but I would love to smoke my friends new 5.0 mustang!