New Member from Illinois 2011 Yukon Denali, love it but where is the power?

[Familyman2112]

Hello All! I bought a 2011 Yukon Denali a few months ago. The vehicle had 81,000 on it at the time and I have already put about 10k on it. I really love the way it drives, but I wish the power was a little more present. For a 6.2l I was hoping for some get up and go. I know it's a big heavy vehicle, but it just seems a bit sluggish.

I have already cracked an exhaust manifold and blown out three gaskets since replacing both manifolds. I don't jump on it.

The highest I have had the rpms was just over 5. Too much back pressure? I'm thinking about adding a CAI and maybe changing up the exhaust. Anyone have any thoughts? Thank you so much! I'm just perplexed.

 

[Doubeleive]

hmmm, 2wd? awd? my 2012 awd has plenty of power it's not a 10 second car but it will get up and scoot
how does the transmission feel?
a 2wd should be able to lay rubber at least a little bit

 

[Fless]

Welcome to TYF from a former North Central Illinois boy. It's a great place to be FROM!

Time for more info and a full health check. Plugs, wires, etc. What do the fuel trims look like, and what octane gas is it running?

 

[OR VietVet]

Welcome to the forum.

In all likelihood the plugs have not been changed and likely not the wires. What fuel do you use? Cleaned throttle bore? Cleaned MAF?

 

[swathdiver]

Hello All! I bought a 2011 Yukon Denali a few months ago. The vehicle had 81,000 on it at the time and I have already put about 10k on it. I really love the way it drives, but I wish the power was a little more present. For a 6.2l I was hoping for some get up and go. I know it's a big heavy vehicle, but it just seems a bit sluggish. I have already cracked an exhaust manifold and blown out three gaskets since replacing both manifolds. I don't jump on it. The highest I have had the rpms was just over 5. Too much back pressure? I'm thinking about adding a CAI and maybe changing up the exhaust. Anyone have any thoughts? Thank you so much! I'm just perplexed.

Do your maintenance and baseline the truck at your local drag strip. Stock Denalis and Escalades ran high 14s, low 15s at 94-95 mph in the quarter mile off the showroom floor.

 

[Miami-Dade]

Welcome from Miami!

 

[diesel_dave]

Just another subjective data point but my 2007 Denali with 220k miles honestly surprised me the first time I floored it. It's not a drag car by any means but it should get up and go if you gun it. My other car is a Tesla Model 3 Performance so it's not like I'm used to only slow cars.

I will add that the first like 50% of my throttle pedal is pretty lazy, but if you put the pedal to the metal, it will down shift and pull pretty damn hard up to redline.

 

[Familyman2112]

I am planning on plugs and wires. Thoughts on brand? I usually run NGK in everything.I have cleaned the MAF. I run Seafoam cleaner in the tank every 4 or 5 fill ups. I have removed the air intake and cleaned the throttle body from the outside. I have done the Seafoam through the vacuum booster. With the fuel prices, I typically run 87 through it.

 

[Familyman2112]

I was looking at an S&B cai. Will a better muffler help, or do I need to run a true double exhaust? What about a tuner?

 

[Familyman2112]

I forgot to add that it is AWD. Is there an automatic ride adjustment on this? I hear something making noises in the back when it is sitting.