So I keep going back and forth. I think a Whipple is the right idea, but no longer offered for my truck. I was considering a Raylar cam but it seems like a lot of broken valvetrain parts are surfacing, and I don't want to have an unreliable truck.


'05 Avalanche 2500 -- 8.1 L/4L85E, 4.10s

Tow rig/light expo/wheeling rig, daily driver in the winter.







I would like more power for towing and driving in the mountains. At 3% loss/1000', I am down to around 240 hp at 11000' and even only 280 hp at my house. I would like to get that 100hp back and maybe even a touch more. In other words, not planning on more then 400 hp, but would like to see most of it even at altitude, especially an increase in the 3000-4500 rpm range.


My concerns with STS are the reliability of the oil pump, the location of the air filter (our freeway floods pretty regularly, knee deep water is not uncommon, and I do wheel the truck occasionaly through water, probably not over the door openings though.) and overall is this a good application or am i going to be frustrated with tuning and the heat generated?


Have many people towed with an STS? (Trailer in the picture weighs close to 15k lb loaded) What about wheeling? The Av doesn't have the bed pockets of a pickup due to the tool boxes, so I don't know where the air filter would go.

Thanks

AJ

 

hey i just pm you

 

throw a front mount turbo on there

 

what he said. or do a blower. Not sure whats out there but theres got to be companys other than whipple that make a kit.

 

I would do a front mount if you want a turbo. I would really go after a TVS supercharger system. Lots of low end grunt and its right where the intake was so it plenty protected. A STS system is last I would use on a 4 wheeling maching. Something like this, I would call them and see what it would take to run it on an 05.

http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/m...04-p-8467.html

 

GL fittin a front mount under the hood of that big block lol

 

You need a Duramax.

Not what you asked but def what you need.


You can go with the STS kit, just as long as you use a snorkel for the air filter to relocate it.

I know you dont have a lot of options for your application.

If you get an STS kit, Just buy a spare oil pump and relay to keep with you to prevent a headache.

You will prob like the STS kit, just dont go fording thru deep water or mud and you will be fine.

 

Sadly enough I was all excited on the Magnacharger link. Too bad its wrong. It lists only SBC applications, even though its under Avalanche 2500 (no 6.0 Avs, only 5.3s and 8.1).

I have found no front mount or s/c kits for the 8.1. I don't have the time or skill to fab my own, so I am pretty limited to running what is on the market.

As far as I can tell, the two options are Raylar or STS, if there is an 8.1 option I am missing, please let me know.

As far as a DMax, it won't fit, and I am guessing the conversion will cost more then the $5k for a STS.

I had to get an SUV for work, so this was the only 3/4 ton I could do. (other then a Sub or Ex). If they had of done a Sport Trac based on the Excursion, then I would be dealing with 6.0 PSD problems, but power wouldn't be one...

 

Why did you have to get a Avy? Why not a Silverado CC? Just curious.

 

Where are you located? Northern CO by chance? Just guessing buy altitude and into wheeling...