Frustrating choice after bad report from the shop ...

[Xav8r]

I'm not normally one to put general info out there and ask for opinions, however tonight I'm interested to hear what others faced with my situation would do.

I have a California registered '01 Tahoe LT 4WD with 185k that is a daily driver and in the warm weather is a wake boat hauler. I originally purchased the truck from the original owner with 25k in '03 without any really good knowledge of previous use other than "driven by a surgeon between Napa, CA and Denver, CO.

This was my first truck and 4WD, and I tried my best to take care of it while learning at the same time. I slowly upgraded things and tried to mod to improve both performance and function (never did look as nice as some of the trucks you all post on here).

I was just getting ready to start putting some money into fun mods (headers, cat-back, cam and associated parts, TC, and potentially a supercharger), however wanted to get things checked out before heading down that road. Well the B-A-D news came back ...

Compression Cyl 1 = 155, 2 = 110, 3 = 150, 4 = 160, 5 = 160, 6 = 170, 7 = 75, and 8 = 75

Leak down Cyl 1 = bad, 2 = bad, 3 = ok, 4 = ok, 5 = ok, 6 = ok, 7 = bad, 8 = bad

The shop is very reputable and I personally oversaw the tests. On top of the results, some of the leak down "ok" results were just above bad and slightly into the "ok" range. The shop told me they wouldn't even do rings and a valve job on a motor with this high mileage as they didn't want me to be frustrated with more issues down the road. They said they recommend a crate motor or sell and find a different truck.

Here is a quick list of what I have done from stock; New 17" Chevy wheels and Bridgestone Dueler AT tires, new TruTrack rear-end, Airaid CAI, Magnaflow muffler and rear piping, BBP tune, helper bags, efans, hids in projectors & clear corners. I just replaced all belts, hoses, and the water pump trying to stay ahead of maintenance issues. Some of the things I was thinking about doing along with the headers, cat-back, and cam / tc ; rearview camera, tru-cool cooler, and hydroboost. I also know my suspension needs some attention along with the axles etc, and possibly the front seat skins.

So I ask; Do I keep my 11 year old high milage truck and put a new motor and trans in, or do I start fresh with another truck that will take a long time to get back to the mods I'd like it to have? What would you do and why?

Thanks guys & gals!

 

[Tricky]

Me, having my Tahoe for 12 years and body in good condition and most of the main components are functioning, and paid for, I would invest in the new motor vs getting another truck and don't know the history. I have 197k miles and going strong.
























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[04SS99Denali]

how does it run? if the truck isnt running bad or eating oil like crazy i dont see why you dont just keep using it till it lets go

if all fails unless your planning on building a pretty nice motor like a 408 or a 370 and a trans to back the power id say find a newer one and enjoy it. no point in spending all that money on a crate motor thats gonna make your truck run and drive like factory when its so old. if your gonna keep the factory drive go new

 

[southboundchicken]

if the truck is in overall good shape, serves your purpose and your pretty happy with it i'd drop a crate motor in it and be done with it. just add up the cost of that compared to the total cost of buying new including taxes and such

 

[Timmy]

i'm gonna go against the grain here.

since you're doing some performance mods to your existing motor, why not get a used 5.3 or 6.0 off craigslist and mod it up like you want it and then drop it in?

---------- Post added at 08:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:52 AM ----------

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pts/2953518150.html

6.0 with trans out of a 2500 so it's got more torque tuned in.

 

[CHOO CHOO]

+1 ^ why buy a newer one and not know whats wrong with, when you can buy a new or used motor and do what you want to it. Plus depending on your situation, you could have monthly payments again. Keep it imo.

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[07Burb]

i'm gonna go against the grain here.

since you're doing some performance mods to your existing motor, why not get a used 5.3 or 6.0 off craigslist and mod it up like you want it and then drop it in?

---------- Post added at 08:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:52 AM ----------

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pts/2953518150.html

6.0 with trans out of a 2500 so it's got more torque tuned in.

+1 ^ why buy a newer one and not know whats wrong with, when you can buy a new or used motor and do what you want to it. Plus depending on your situation, you could have monthly payments again. Keep it imo.

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

+2....Keep truck and drive it. While driving it acquire a different 5.3 or 6.0 and build it up how you want it then drop it in when it's ready. You'll be way ahead of the game and will have spent less money than buying a different vehicle.

 

[CEN2MENTAL95]

replace the motor, get new shocks and enjoy the drive!

 

[JennaBear]

Depends on whether or not you want a newer vehicle or to be able to build up the current one. Sounds like if you got a newer vehicle, you would not be ready to put all the "fun mods" in.

 

[dieselp]

If u look around u will find some great deals on a replacement engine My dad just bought a 6.0 and 6l80 trans out of a 2009 pickip with 29,000 original miles truck was wrecked paid $ 2700 for both transfer case was already sold but not needed as this is going in a 1954 chevy pickup.