Where to start?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Damien

TYF Newbie
Joined
Jun 2, 2015
Posts
17
Reaction score
0
Location
TN
I have not done any performance related mods to my Tahoe yet but I have a few planned. I wanted to get some guidance on which order I should do them in, maybe some brand/product suggestions, or anything else to add to the list.

Vehicle: 04 Tahoe LS w/ 4.8, 93k miles

My goal is to get a little more power without sacrificing MPG, maybe even gain some MPG. Most of my driving is on the interstate with lots of hills and it likes to downshift for long periods of time. I've also got a lot of weight in the back due to my sound system (400 pounds or so, will be closer to 700-900 soon) and a dual alternator setup (stock 130a + 370a hairpin from Mechman).

So far, I've planned out these upgrades:

Tune: I've heard good things about the BBP tunes. HP seemed to be decent as well.

Intake: After doing a price and performance comparison, a volant intake with a dry filter is most likely what I'll use

Electric Water pump: Haven't looked into this yet but I've seen it referenced quite a bit.

Electric AC: Didn't find much about this yet but saw it referenced once or twice. Same as above

Exhaust: Another I haven't really looked at. Not really looking for loud, just something with a nice sounding deep tone and/or performance gains without breaking the bank. I do have to go through emissions though.

Cam: I'm not sure if I'm comfortable messing with the internals of the engine myself so I'd most likely have a pro do this part. As such it would probably be the last and most expensive part.

Another not so performance related mod is that I'd like to add some sort of switch to up my idle if possible so that I can rev up the engine to get the alternator output to its maximum level without manually pushing the pedal. I wouldn't want it revved up all the time at idle, just at audio shows/competitions.
 

JennaBear

Resident Ninja
Supporting Vendor
Joined
May 3, 2009
Posts
6,086
Reaction score
241
Location
San Diego, CA
Stage 1: intake, efans, tune
Stage 2: cam, headers, stall
Stage 3: blower, gears, transmission
 

ezdaar

Chat Troll
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2010
Posts
3,715
Reaction score
125
Location
Redneck central, Aka Houston
Agree with Jenna, but with a minor shuffle.

With Blower,
Stage 1: gears, efans, stall, transmission,Catback, tune
Stage 2: blower, cam, headers
Stage 3: E85 upgrade, Nitrous Or Methanol kit, Crank up the boost.

No blower,
Stage 1: gears, efans, stall, transmission, Catback, Modified Specter intake, tune
Stage 2: NNBS Intake manifold, cam, headers
Stage 3: Nitrous soft hit Progressive 250 shot.
 
OP
OP
Damien

Damien

TYF Newbie
Joined
Jun 2, 2015
Posts
17
Reaction score
0
Location
TN
Not really looking to swap the gears as most of my driving is on the interstate. I'll probably stick to stage 1 or 2 on either of your lists
 

ezdaar

Chat Troll
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2010
Posts
3,715
Reaction score
125
Location
Redneck central, Aka Houston
Then you need to X all the above and just bolt on a blower. It will give you everything you are looking for and more.

Skip, headers, cam, cai, all that shit. Bolt on a tvs1900 and a good tune.
Thats the iconic example of a happy pig!

No mpre down shifting while cruising, no more searching for power! Just a pure honest good beast under your foot! The more it whines the more it loves you!


You need a blower. Frack all the other candy.
 
Last edited:

DPGDirk

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2014
Posts
153
Reaction score
14
Agree with Jenna, but with a minor shuffle.

No blower,
Stage 1: gears, efans, stall, transmission, Catback, Modified Specter intake, tune
Stage 2: NNBS Intake manifold, cam, headers
Stage 3: Nitrous soft hit Progressive 250 shot.

Thought about posting separately, but this is probably beneficial for all right here.

What gear ratio would work and still allow for some good highway driving? Mine also downshifts a lot- especially when towing the polaris. (Only a few times a year)
I don't know what gear ratio comes stock....?

Is the rear axle in the 1500 the same one in the 2500? (just wondering about strength)

I have heard about the NNBS intake swap. Is the throttle body different as well, or do you use the same one?
Is there more than one model out there, or are they the same?
What kind of gains are we talking about?
Looks like you can buy aftermarket intake manifolds really cheap...?

I read on recommended forums and all I mostly hear is abbreviated terms amongst the already indoctrinated, which is mostly code speak to me and I can't find specific answers, part #'s, etc, and often just give up with my eye's bleeding.

I'm gears and E-Fans away from finishing step 1. Already have the headers and exhaust waiting to go on for step 2.

My biggest quandry is whether I'm really going to want to pop for the cam or if I can live with everything else and a good tune. I do want to retain some reliability and driveability.
Not looking to add 100RWHP, but some smaller portion of that and being able to DD would be great.

Thanks!!!
 

4WDTRK

sleeps in garage
Joined
Mar 24, 2015
Posts
416
Reaction score
109
Location
Socal dreaming of Norcal
Then you need to X all the above and just bolt on a blower. It will give you everything you are looking for and more.

Skip, headers, cam, cai, all that shit. Bolt on a tvs1900 and a good tune.
Thats the iconic example of a happy pig!

No mpre down shifting while cruising, no more searching for power! Just a pure honest good beast under your foot! The more it whines the more it loves you!


You need a blower. Frack all the other candy.

What's the ball park ($$$) on that blower setup?
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,398
Posts
1,867,399
Members
97,051
Latest member
legit_b

Latest posts

Top