Vortec350ss

iTrader: (20)

Sounds like its way up top on the motor... id guess valvetrain. Why 30 days until the valve cover comes off? Thats a job you dont need to be a mechanic to do.

As far as next steps, you gotta figure out what it wrong first. Modding even further wont help your reliability. If thats your main focus you need a vehicle that wont require extensive mods like the duramax you mentioned.

the duke35

30 days because next available appointment at shop was in 3 months. I can remove the valve covers but don't have the tools or experience to repair the problem. I paid 25K to have a reputable shop do the work. Granted this was bolt on but I went this route because I was buying confidence. Confidence that the shop would have the experience to meet my expectation and integrity to stand behind the parts and labor. I asked for the most horsepower/torque that can be produced while maintaining reliability of a daily driver. I even bring them truck for oil changes so that no one else wrenches on it. We'll see what happens....

lxcoupe

iTrader: (9)

The A8 converters/ transmissions are a real nightmare. I unloaded my '16 Stingray since all it did was clunk and studder from the infamous TC issue even after the dealer had it for a month and replaced the converter and the trans. The new GM stuff is really hit and miss IMO.

the duke35

I had the same issue in my truck. TC failed causing me to purchase new trans and upgraded TC. Dealership would've refused to fix TC shudder because of aftermarket upgrades. Tuning never seems "perfect" either. I have a '09 GMC with blower added at 85K miles. I now have 160K miles on it. I think my days of changing cam, boosting over 6 psi and adding meth are over.

lxcoupe

iTrader: (9)

I think when the new A10 transmission gets into the truck lineup, things will change for the better. But who knows, it's GM we're talking here...

Choda

iTrader: (1)

sucks reading this

lxcoupe

iTrader: (9)

I'd love to jump into a new ZL1, but the whole C7 experience left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Ever since GM moved production away from Canada, the entire lineup has been more problematic.