I really appreciate the offer, I am actually stationed in Fort Riley KS, which is just about smack dab in the middle of the state. But I really do appreciate the offer.
I was planning on trying to buy all the parts and then have them sitting at what ever shop I have do it and then make sure they have me scheduled and then drop the truck off to them and then go on vacation in a nearby area until it was done. Not sure if its gonna work out that way, but that would be the ideal plan.

I appreciate all the help guys. I recently was PM'd about Rick at Synergymotorsports. I emailed him and hopefully he gets back to me. I am sure you all know, he has some crazy twin turbo set up and it sounds really promising.

I dont know though, I am really looking for reliability and low low maintenance and I dont know if I can get that. Do you guys have to "fix" alot of things on your trucks regularly or do they perform pretty much maint free?

The reason I ask is because where I am, in kansas, there isnt ANYONE that knows squat about this stuff. And I have better than average mechanical skills, but I have no idea about diagnostic type stuff. Like if I was pushing it too hard and something broke I would be screwed...

Anyway, Nelsons looks promising as well. I am just looking for that all inclusive shop, the one stop shop to do it all and for me to drop it off and come back and pick it up and drive it home.

So you think I could get into the 12's with 7-8 grand huh? well thats sounds great. I definetely will upgrade the tranny though. I really want to have a bulletproof system that is completely reliable and if it costs a little more to get that, then so be it.

Thanks again guys, i will keep you posted on how it all works out.

I was hoping that one of the sponsors on this site would chime in and say.... .." We can get your Denali in the 12's for $xxxxxx, this is what we will do to make that happen, when do you want to bring it by?" ...

 

Allen Nelson is a good guy I was just down at his shop Thursday getting my truck retuned for the new motor. It sounds like a good tranny, small stall converter, radix, gt2-3 cam, lt headers, exhaust, and a tune would probably get your were you are wanting or damn close and be as reliable as you can get at the power level you need.

 

id go with an intercooled STS kit with a pt70 turbo

by the way- thanks for your sacrafices in serving our country
it cant be hard to be away from your family and toys to defend our freedom, and i- and im sure everyone else here apreciates it greatly

 

My turbo has been nothing but reliable. I think Allen would be a good place to go, You definately won't be dissapointed if you go the turbo route.

 

No matter what you decide, remember to save some money for the transmission elves!

 

O2denali24s

Looks like you have lots of options out there. The performance of our front mount turbo kit is solid and reliable. I think the weight is going to be your hardest factor in getting into the 12's. One good thing about the turbo is, if you need more power just turn the boost up. No pulleys needed, and can be done from inside the truck.
I would recommend Nelsons for the one stop shop. Get the turbo, intercooler, injectors, tranny stuff, and tune it at one location. I think you will be under 10K pretty easy.
4054.00 turbo kit
500.00 larger turbo I do not think it will be needed.
1000.00 Intercooler kit.
450.00 injectors
150.00 Maybe a Fuel pump
350.00 tuning?
xxxxx install of all parts not sure.

5504.00 and still you will need some spark plugs, gauges, and tranny stuff. I do not have a clue on the install stuff. Sorry


As far as reliable our kits are solid, come with warrnaties against cracking, the turbo, wastegate, blowoff all have 1year warranty. The turbo can build boost just as fast as a blower. Our 6.0L test truck, from idle slam the throttle open and have 3psi and 10psi before we hit 2K.
WJMARKs truck ran into 13's and that is with our base kit and his personel intercooler kit. Not to shabby for that heavy *** 4x4 truck of his. And that was with a full tank of gas. LOL
Allen had a 4x4 with a full tool box ran down in the mid 13's as well.
Others have smoke there trannys by pooring the power to them, no names mentioned.

Now since I donot have a SUV like yours I can not say, you need this, this, and this and your done. But I bet Allen does.

If there is anything I can help you with just drop me a PM.

Rick

 

You're welcome but it's an honor to serve my country defending the freedom of great people like yourselves. You guys have been nothing but supportive to me and I greatly appreciate it. I have been on other forums with some of my other toys in the past and this definetely is the best one I have been on. So my hats off to you all for being kind and generous with the information you provide and the probably sometimes seemingly obvious answers you all have given me.

Thanks again and I will definetely be posting pics, videos, write ups, etc. Once I get back and the project gets underway.

I do have a question though for Trick Performance, or anyone that has a front mount turbo... I have a fiberglass hood, will the underhood temp be too much for the hood? Will it cause to much heat and ruin my hood or the paint?
I have read some things on here where people are talking about high temps under the hood. Just curious.

Thanks guys.

 

Gotta ask, is the 4L80E a direct replacement for the factory 4L60 tranny or are there modifications that need to be done?

And what about the 4L80E stage 4 from finish line?

Do you think it would be enough for what I want to do?

And what about the vigilante torque converters? Any suggestions on which one would be best for a daily driver? Or if you guys have had success with another brand of torque converters, which one would that be?

The stage 5 is a little bit out of my price range but I will get it if the stage 4 will blow up on me. I wont be racing it every weekend, but I do have a heavy heavy foot. lol.

 

The 80 is not a direct swap but is not a huge problem either -- the parts needed are pretty well known (but may not be so well known for your SUV -- I'd check in with some of the Yukon guys about that). I feel pretty confident the stage 4 FLT 80E will do what you need, but give Chuck or Vince a call and make sure.

I really like the PI converters. Others have had great luck with other brands, but for me, PI is worth every extra penny.

 

Your under hood temps will be higher a bit, nothing that would melt things. But you can get the pipes coated, and throw a turbo blanket on. Teh turbo is several inches away from your hood.

Rick