Good morning performance people,

I just have a few questions for the experts in performance, but first, a bit about my truck. I own a 2000 Chevy Silverado LT 2500 (Non-HD) with a 364 small block. Already, I have put a high flow intake (by spectre), true dual exhaust, and a custom tuning to the engine. The truck isn't lifted, but it has oversized 33 inch Nitto Terra Grapplers on the stock wheels.

As mentioned above, my truck isn't lifted, but I want it to be. What suspension lift would y'all recommend? I've had a very hard time finding the right lift since my truck is a non-HD 2500. I'm not interested in body lift because the truck will be hitting mud frequently, and I've heard horror stories about mud trucks with body lift. I'm looking for a 6-10 inch lift.

Second, regarding my exhaust, would 4 inch OD 316 stainless steel pipe hurt my engine? My grandpa, back in his prime, worked for a piping company and was given about 60 feet of this 4 inch OD pipe. He's willing to give it to me for free since the people who installed the existing true duals on my truck screwed the piping system up.

Lastly, I've been resarching putting a small turbo system on the truck. Some people say that a small turbo will add a good amount of HP without destroying the engine while others say that even the smallest turbo will blow the engine apart. What do y'all think? Just to specify, before the turbo, I'd be installing a LS6 Cam shaft and an LS6 intake manifold with the 8.1 liter fuel injectors.

Please leave your recommendations below, and go easy on me. I'm just trying to learn about what I can and can't do with my truck. Also, I'm not looking for the most expensive for cheapest parts. I'm not a money bag, but I also don't want to buy cheap parts.

Thanks everyone!
Cbarnett_2500

 

Just for reference, the turbo kit I have been looking at is this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/24-PCS-TURBO...383ee3&vxp=mtr

 

You wont have to worry about blowing your engine up, stock bottom end is good to 650 horse Ive been told. But just from what youve said you want to do for the turbo you need to research way more, do some searching in the forced induction section. 8.1 will get you no where with a turbo, its always good to have too much than too little. 60 lb seimen dekas are used alot. youd also need a better fuel pump. Most people with turbo setups including me just run the stock truck manifold. With the LS6 youd have to change your whole front accessory setup too.

And cheap and turbo dont really go together unless you can build the hot pipes your self. My setup from KB racing was $2900 without the cold side. So turbo, cross over, log, downpipe, oil feed/return, turbo and clamps. I made the coldside myself with $300 worth of ebay pipe kits and intercooler

I planned on spending like 4k on my turbo setup and now im north of 6k


Yeah no offense but those ebay turbo kits are pieces of ****

 

Lift wise, I have a Pro Comp 6" lift on my 2500 HD and I haven't had any problems with it, and have hit many holes and may or may not have had some air time Not sure if they make 1 lift for your rig but don't see why not. While towing I had pretty bad axle wrap so I threw some traction bars on, and am looking into putting the single-piece drive shaft in it because it's got some shake to it anytime I take off from a dead stop. But that has nothing to do with the lift, just same old drive shaft issue from the early 2000's. Picture below!

 

Not trying to make a big deal out of anything, but you only got 380 with a 76mm turbo? even at 7lbs? After my CAI, exhaust, and tune, I put 300 to the rear wheels on a Mustang dyno. 6 grand for 80 horsepower sounds like you got ripped off.. But I'm glad to see people are living my dream