Hey fellas,
New to the forum (but not forums in general), finally just bought my first pickup ('09 GMC 1500 SLT, ext cab, std box, 5.3L, 4.10 gears) and looking to spice it up a bit in the future a little bit at a time. I am pretty green when it comes to performance mods, however I do know how to turn a wrench, but most of my experience comes from diesel semis and farm tractors, so bear with me a little bit. My goal is to make this truck mainly a towing rig for an RV, as I love to take the family camping every few weekends throughout the summer in the rockies where a few decent grades are found. Now I've done a bit of my own research, and from what I've read, a supercharger comes most recommended for this type of application because of the quicker low end torque available from an idle. However, I'm not going to be drag racing with an RV, what I really want to be able to do is pull out in the fast last lane of the interstate and cruise past other guys towing their RV's up the mountains. So then I thought a turbo might be better for this application since I'm already at cruising RPM. Am I correct in thinking this, or what would you fellas recommend for this application? I'm not going to be towing anything stupid since it's only a half ton, but I do have aspirations of tossing an extra leaf spring and air suspension to beef up the back end a little. Thanks for your help fellas, and for bearing with such a long winded post. Nice to be a part of the action here.

 

So after some more reading, I'm thinking I will probably go with the basic STS turbo setup since I'm only after about an additional 100hp, nothing too crazy at this point.

So since that is a fairly nominal amount of power increase for FI should I be looking into strengthening my internals at all (pistons, rods, crank, head gasket, etc) or will I be fine? Aside from injectors and a fuel pump, am I overlooking anything? I'm willing to spend a little extra to do this right, so I don't have any longevity problems down the road. I've already been browsing the classifieds for a 4l80e. How about my stock ten bolt rear end, how will that hold up?

I apologize for all the questions fellas, but I would really appreciate any and all answers. Would there be any benefit to putting in a different cam or doing little simple stuff like CAI, plugs/wires? Thanks fellas

 

How heavy is your RV?
Ive had the STS and its ok, but i strongly suggest a Front mount turbo. Or even a supercharger over the STS.

Being a 2009, is it a flex fuel?

a quality Intercooler is goin to be worth it when your towing in the hills with a heavy load.

Ive towed alot with just factory suspension. Helper bags and rancho 9000xl shocks come in handy. Also hydroboost for brakes are well worth it.

 

It's not a big 5th wheel but loaded I'd say my gvw is probably close to 8500lbs. The thing I liked about the STS remote turbo it its apparent reduction in temperature compared to a front mounted turbo, which to me translates in longevity. However, if the general consensus is that a front turbo would be better for my application then I'd look seriously look into that. I'm not opposed to a s/c either, why would you recommend that over the turbo?

It is not flex fuel, just the regular iron block as well.

I figured that if I went turbo an intercooler would be necessary even with a basic package, primarily for the fact that it will see most of its work towing. Now that you mention brakes, I did think of that at one point and I will definitely do something about that as well. If my years of trucking taught me anything it's that getting a load up a hill is one thing, getting it back down and stopped is quite another.

 

A small frontmount would work well. But will require a good tuner to make it reliable. Also look into a bigger transmission cooler. My truck with a tune and cai pulled about the same GVW just fine. I just kept it in 3rd the whole 2,400kms.
A Magnacharger with some Doug Thourley Tri-Y headers would pull like a train while being easy to install and tune.

 

Do good tuners generally come with the turbo kits, or is that something I have to source from a 3rd party and get a shop to dial it in properly?

Also, would you recommend a shift kit for the 4l80e?

 

I would do a supercharger like the tvs1900. I have had both setups, a front mount turbo, and a blower, and as far as a daily driver/tow rig goes, I will always pick the blower. Keeping in mind my fast truck has a turbo

It sounds like you just want to slap something on and go. I will tell you honestly if you go turbo you will always be tinkering with it and it is a bit more involved than a blower. With a blower, just bolt it on, pick you pulley size, get it tuned and off you go. I would highly recommend one of the tuner sponsors or an in person dyno tune. The included hand held tuners you get with kits are mediocre at best.

 

^^^^ exactly my thoughts. TVS 1900. Strait up, easy install, alot of low, mid range TQ. No IC piping, bov's waste gates ect. Basically bolt it on, feel the tq.

 

Also I should mention you have the 6sp with that truck (I think...), and im not sure what the state of shift kits are for those. If its still the 60e (4 spd) then yes definitely get a shift kit.

I would run up to 10psi on stock internals and not worry about it. You can get some easy power with a cam swap later on down the road as well when you get bored with just a blower.

 

TVS1900 would be perfect for you. And it comes with everything needed for the installation. Set it & forget it.