Ok guys, ill be flat out honest, ive been going crazy trying to get my truck at a performance state. Besides gmracer, there really isnt too many people doing major mods to the 99-07 era trucks in MA and I want some heads turning. Here is my plan and where Im at.

-2002 Silverado sbsc 4.8
-Just bought a 2006 chevy express vans 6.0 lq4 with 18k on it
-Sts turbocharger for the 6.0 with the fmic and gt-67 upgrade
-60# Mototron Injectors and MSD Boost-a-Pump

What Im looking for as far as information and suggestions
-Forged internals. What should i get and where should i look?
-Cam and springs. I was told the best to go with and the ones i read are the best are 918 comp cam springs with a 2001 + corvette z06 cam. Any suggestions or concerns?
-Transmission. Built 4l60 or 4l80. Ive heard that the first gear in the 80 is sluggish?
-Torque Converter. This is not going to be a daily driver when its done, but is not for drag use only. It is going to be street drivin. What stall and what brand are your favorites.
-Gauges. I have a three pod pillar installed. I bought a Auto Meter Cobalt boost/vac gauge. What other gauges should I get besides a pyrometer? I'm planning on getting the one for the roof console also for 5 gauges.
-Anything and everything else you may have to add to this, please let me know. Im looking for all the advise I can get. I want to do this once and do it right with minimal hastle down the road. I know I will eventually get stranded with some issues, but by then I will have a second car and my **** together to be able to afford problems. If this post is too long I apologize. I search all the time and I realize that haveing more than one opinion is the best, and you guys are the best people to deal with. HELP ME!!!

-Mike Mac

 

why sts?? Did you already purchase it? turbo is good but there are some pretty reliable powerfull set-ups other than the sts(they have had some issues)... pm kb or trick they can help.

 

ya i already bought it. I like their set-up for the price. Im not trying to be a bargain shopper because i know that i cant be for what i want, but if i wanted to do something that i would be spending alot of money on, on the turbo end of things, i would have went with a custom twin turbo setup. For now, i am dealing with the sts kit and thats what hands im dealing with as far as when i request some advice. Thanks for the input tho.

-Mike

 

you could do what i would do to mine if i had more money.. a 4 link rear set up with front to back coil overs so you'd have a sick handling slammed truck

 

lol i wish i could worry about the suspension...im in the middle of doing a 2/4 drop with a ground force kit, but now my concern is with the fact that i have 305/40/22s on Replica SS 22's that are 10" wide. I need to cut the inside of my fenders off and hope to god it doesnt look like a bag of ****. I think the smoothest way to do that is with a dremel and 400 cutting disks per fender. We'll see.

 

Forged Internals - You can go a long way on a stock short block. With good tuning. Much further with just forged pistons and studded heads and rod bolts. Depends on power goals before I would even go forged. If you have the money forged is the way to go.
Cam - lots are having great success with some of the custom ground Lingenfelters.
Springs - There are a lot of Comp 918 springs failing. I will not put any more in my rides. Patriot Duals IMO.
TC - I love my Precision Industries Vigilante. Can't really recommend what stall for a turbo app. You will also get good recommends on Yanks.
Get a 4l80E or wish you had.
Boost, Fuel Pressure, Wideband AFR, Trans Temp.

 

the above post is EXACTLY what i need to be seeing. People that have been through this and have seen the good n the bad or the power makers and the power breakers. I know about the comp cam 918 springs ******* up, but i havnt hearn any problems with the revised sets. Now i'm ready to search for a 4l80. **** it, maybe it wont be the greatest tranny for weight or gearing, but its the more reliable. Keep the suggestions coming guys thanks alot KySilverado.

-Mike

 

4l80e or 5-6 built 4l60es thats what i have seen happen over and over again. the guys making the power go 80e.

 

best way to cut the fenders is a plasma cutter, next best would be a cutoff wheel on an air tool, angle grinder, etc. dremels ain't meant for body work.

as for your performance stuff, STS isn't ideal but it'll work if its in your hands. First off pick up an intercooler for it. run the 6.0 as is for now, throw on head studs, down the road don't get talked into a forged crank, you don't need it just pistons and rods and bearings. If you can twist a stock steel crank I'll be impressed, because with over 20 pounds of boost in the vette on a stock crank I can't, and I doubt you're gonna get your truck to that level. We just threw one of the lingenfelter cams in a buddy's built 402 with LS7 heads and some STS in his avalanche, still buttoning up some minor headaches but it runs, can't offer feedback as of yet, but supposedly they're popular. Go with the patriot springs, cheaper than the comps and handle more lift. as for the trans? I've blown up 5 or 6 4L60's built with everything under the sun. Don't waste your time or money setting one up, just go right to the 4L80 if you want to make power down the road, Sure its gearing is a lil less in first and second and fourth, but the gear jumps are easier for shifts as compared to the 60, its more parasitic loss, more weight, but at the same time its one heavy duty ****. my 502 in the tahoe ate a built 4L60 the first time I smashed the gas. The 80 in there now has handled 25k miles of beat downs, burnouts, at least 40-50 bottles at 200 a hit, towing 10K lbs with a 2800 stall, you name it. They're awesome tough trannies, when I got the sub I wouldn't even consider the 1500 because of the lil ***** tranny in there.

other advice? pull whatever's in your factory rear out throw an eaton posi in there with a nice TA cover and hope you don't dead hook or else you might not have many parts left, also always plan on having cash around for the truck to blow up and be replacing major stuff. You wanna go fast, **** happens......more the power goes up, more often **** blows up. (ask me how I know)

 

yea, STS are junk....