I have a 2006 Sierra Denali that I am turbocharging with Trick performance 76mm turbo kit. It already has a 4l80e, 2200 stall, upgraded posi front and rear and steel driveshafts. It was owned by a member who lived in Michigan and passed away from complications of diabetes a few years ago. It was supercharged at one point but had been removed before I got it.

I am curious to hear from those who know these Denali's to tell me what you know to be weak on these trucks...

 

I dont think he could have added a posi to the front unless it was swapped to a larger front axle. Last I looked there wasnt one available.

With those mods it sounds like a lot of the problem areas have been addressed. What has been done to the 4L80e? I would make sure it has a shift kit at the very least. They are strong but they like those minimal mods.

What color is it? Does it still have headers and all of that? I would be tempted to toss another blower on it... and NO, I'm not biased. lol

The real answer is that converter may be a little tight for a turbo build. It will likely slow spool up time.

 

By 2006 those trucks were quite strong. I agree much better torque converters exist which much better stall speeds. Around 3k is usually really fun. My first concern would be addressing the valve train. Lifters are hit or miss beyond 150k miles. Hardened pushrods are a good idea when shifting at high RPM and required for a cam swap. He needle bearings in the rocker arms are pretty weak. Valve springs are required for cam swaps and stock ones can float a valve if the pressure gets to be too much for the springs. Ls9 head gaskets are a nice upgrade. We can go on for days.

 

Hardened pushrods actually aren't required for a cam swap, but are recommended. The rest I agree with.

 

Here is a link to the original build...
https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...-build-508638/

I stand corrected on the front posi.

I am unsure about the valvetrain but the pickup only has 72K miles on it. Teddy, the previous owner, didn't leave behind any cam specs. and the stall is actually a 2800 with the trans built.

So, Valvetrain is where i should concentrate, right? He mentioned nothing about upgrading the springs or pushrods but I assume the pushrods were upgraded with the cam as his brother went on and on about how **** he was about his rides.

Any other suggestions

 

That truck would have originally had a 4L65-E and an AWD transfer case, NR3 I think.
Was that case adapted to the 80-E or was the 80's case (NP1) used?
Also, is that upgraded rear a 9.5" Semi-Float 14-Bolt?