My From Start to Finish 6.0L Build

[RAMurphy]

Just received my throttle cable bracket for my TBSS intake from Glenn's Auto Performance. Awesome quality. Came with the hardware and three sets of stickers. Quick delivery too.

 

[RAMurphy]

As I stated in a different thread the fuel rail I ordered (12621662) was delivered. It did not work. After deeper research I found the correct fuel rail. As I discovered , if you want to use the fuel injectors (OEM 2002 Tahoe Flex Fuel - my Tahoe) which I do, then this is the wrong fuel rail. The correct fuel rail for my application is 12660709. It was delivered today and I verified the fit with a spare flex fuel injector I had on hand. Below is the picture of the fuel rail and then the fuel rail on the manifold. The red circle is where the two fuel rails are different. The correct one for my build the keeper for the top part of the injector is a little bit longer to accommodate the OEM flex fuel injectors.

 

[RAMurphy]

Last night I ordered the remaining parts to this intake build. These are common parts and can be found just about anywhere. The hardest part was finding the best prices from places I trust. Below I posted the parts I procured:

Holley 90mm Throttle Body (860007-1) - I ordered from Summit Racing (See Edit below)
EVAP Purge Valve (AC Delco 214-1680) and both front (12574897)and rear (12658354) lines - I ordered from Amazon
C5 Corvette Filter/Regulator - I ordered from Glenn's Auto Performance
Throttle Body Gasket - I ordered from Glenn's Auto Performance
Brake Vacuum Nipple (12559760) - I ordered from Amazon
Intake Manifold Gasket - I already had a set of AC Delco Gaskets

Since my complete build will take some time, I'm very tempted to install this setup on my current engine.

EDIT: I would not buy the Holley 90mm Throttle Body. Way to loud - it "whistles" at idle and light throttle. I ended up going with a FAST 54090 - I will post results once it is delivered and installed.

 

[Rocket Man]

Last night I ordered the remaining parts to this intake build. These are common parts and can be found just about anywhere. The hardest part was finding the best prices from places I trust. Below I posted the parts I procured:

Holley 90mm Throttle Body (860007-1) - I ordered from Summit Racing
EVAP Purge Valve (AC Delco 214-1680) and both front (12574897)and rear (12658354) lines - I ordered from Amazon
C5 Corvette Filter/Regulator - I ordered from Glenn's Auto Performance
Throttle Body Gasket - I ordered from Glenn's Auto Performance
Brake Vacuum Nipple (12559760) - I ordered from Amazon
Intake Manifold Gasket - I already had a set of AC Delco Gaskets

Since my complete build will take some time, I'm very tempted to install this setup on my current engine.

Can you update your tune if you do install that on your current engine? I know you’re running BBP for a tune, not sure if you have an Autocal or not. Also, it took me forever last time I asked for an updated tune from them. Kinda the reason I bought an HPT.

 

[RAMurphy]

@Rocket Man Yep. BBP are a bit slow these days. Even responding to generic questions. If I decide to put this on my current engine I won't obviously until I get the tune (yes, I have an Autocal). I believe my last tune, when I installed the current upgraded engine took over two weeks - I received it right at the end of my install - just in time. Great people but I think they need more help. I'm not sure if I have the skills to tune my own engine. Is HPT easy to use?

 

[Rocket Man]

@Rocket Man Yep. BBP are a bit slow these days. Even responding to generic questions. If I decide to put this on my current engine I won't obviously until I get the tune (yes, I have an Autocal). I believe my last tune, when I installed the current upgraded engine took over two weeks - I received it right at the end of my install - just in time. Great people but I think they need more help. I'm not sure if I have the skills to tune my own engine. Is HPT easy to use?

I haven’t really messed with HPT except to modify the tune in my 02 so it doesn’t report a transmission dtc. The 2-3 shift solenoid has an electrical issue which I think might be the harness inside the transmission. I replaced the solenoid and the dtc was still there which in turn seemed to put the trans into limp mode. I went through over 2 months of back and forth with BBP. I needed them to look at my log files and see what was being commanded and what was going on. My trans builder who was telling me that there was nothing wrong mechanically and it must be electronic and also that their build didn’t use the 2-3 solenoid at all and should be turned off in the tune but BBP told me the log files showed it was shifting fine. Which turned out to be not true because as soon as I set that code to not report in the tune, my truck shifted fine and I could finally drive it after over 2 months of frustration. Just a simple question to BBP took a week or two. And every time they answered, I had another question because their answer didn’t make sense. I don’t think they were even looking at the log files. I offered to pay them $100, $200, whatever it took for them to help look at their tune.

My plan is to learn enough to tune when and if needed. There’s great videos online and a couple of guys here that do their own. For now it was worth it to be able to modify the BBP tune and be able to drive my truck. I don’t like being at the mercy of someone else. That was the most frustration I’ve ever dealt with. 2 MONTHS of not being able to drive my truck. It literally took me 5 minutes to find the item in the tune and change it and 5 more to flash the new tune.

 

[RAMurphy]

I haven’t really messed with HPT except to modify the tune in my 02 so it doesn’t report a transmission dtc. The 2-3 shift solenoid has an electrical issue which I think might be the harness inside the transmission. I replaced the solenoid and the dtc was still there which in turn seemed to put the trans into limp mode. I went through over 2 months of back and forth with BBP. I needed them to look at my log files and see what was being commanded and what was going on. My trans builder who was telling me that there was nothing wrong mechanically and it must be electronic and also that their build didn’t use the 2-3 solenoid at all and should be turned off in the tune but BBP told me the log files showed it was shifting fine. Which turned out to be not true because as soon as I set that code to not report in the tune, my truck shifted fine and I could finally drive it after over 2 months of frustration. Just a simple question to BBP took a week or two. And every time they answered, I had another question because their answer didn’t make sense. I don’t think they were even looking at the log files. I offered to pay them $100, $200, whatever it took for them to help look at their tune.

My plan is to learn enough to tune when and if needed. There’s great videos online and a couple of guys here that do their own. For now it was worth it to be able to modify the BBP tune and be able to drive my truck. I don’t like being at the mercy of someone else. That was the most frustration I’ve ever dealt with. 2 MONTHS of not being able to drive my truck. It literally took me 5 minutes to find the item in the tune and change it and 5 more to flash the new tune.

Mark, I remember reading your issues in your build thread and I felt your frustration. I'll look at some videos but really not sure this is something I want to tackle.

 

[RAMurphy]

I wanted to go with 706/862 heads on my rebuild, I even sourced a set from the wreaking yard. I liked where the torque curve was at, it match my driving (below 5500 RPM). Because I went with Flat Top Pistons in my 6.0 rebuild, my compression ratio was going to be 11.75:1 which is a little high for 91 Octane (I do not have E85 or 93 in my area). After visting with Roger @ Vinci and Justin @ Blackbear, they advised me against the high comression and indicated I should try to stay in the 11:1 area that the 243/799 heads offer. I found a good set of 243 heads for cheap and decided to go with them for now. As i get better at tuning, I might reconsider the 862 heads. From Richard Holdners videos, I think you will like the 862 heads on the 6.0 LQ4.

Yep, I was just told the same thing about flat top pistons from BBP - at least they are consistent, slow but consistent. I asked what I would see with dished/LQ4 pistons? Still waiting on a response. Good thing, I'm not n a hurry. Mark (Rocketman) and I just had this BBP response conversation.

 

[iamdub]

My TBSS intake arrived this evening. Came packaged extremely well. Gathering the necessary piece parts for this mod while additionally researching different options.View attachment 382239

What's the part number for this? It's embossed in the plastic if you don't have it on paper. Referring to your pic, it's two "squares" to the left and one down from that white bar code sticker. Although, I think that's the number for the complete assembly (fuel rails, etc.). I think the part number for the bare manifold is down on the right (passenger side) flange, between cylinders #6 and #8 or #4 and #6.

 

[RAMurphy]

What's the part number for this? It's embossed in the plastic if you don't have it on paper. Referring to your pic, it's two "squares" to the left and one down from that white bar code sticker. Although, I think that's the number for the complete assembly (fuel rails, etc.). I think the part number for the bare manifold is down on the right (passenger side) flange, between cylinders #6 and #8 or #4 and #6.

Of course I have the part number. I've kept track of everything thing. The Trail Blazer Intake Manifold (which I bought from Amazon) is GM 12580420. When I bought it it was $90 ($89.98). Now it is just over $100 ($104). The packaging was pretty special, It came in it's own separate case, well protected.

For information purposed, my family thinks I'm a bit to detailed (they have another name for it). When I was a young pup, a long time ago, I started keeping detailed records (now excel spread sheets) on all the vehicles I own. Which includes all maintenance conducted and parts replaced to include gas/gas mileages. At the end each year I have a section that computes MPG and cost per year. I never trade in my vehicles, I usually give them to one of my daughters/husbands along with the records. Two of them are still being driven by them and our still very strong vehicles (2008 Pontiac Vibe (214K) and a 2014 Chevy Cruze (220K)). The other vehicles have been sold/traded in the purchase of their newer vehicles. I still do the maintenance on the Vibe (my daughter is single and is dating a great man but he is not mechanically inclined), so those records are still updated. My other daughter's husband maintains the Cruze but not the records.