I have a 2000 Yukon XL (see info in signature) that is my daily driver and tow vehicle. I tow an 8,600 pound, 34 foot travel trailer in the summers and I'm interested in more low end to mid-range torque. I'm considering adding an intercooled RADIX and retarding the high octane spark table to work with 87 octane.

Does anyone have any information on where I can talk to some other users who have done something similar?

Steve

 

87 Octane , 8600# camper and boost not a good combination. Radix will give you plenty of TQ for towing, but plan on running at least 91 octane. I myself pull a 8500# 5th wheel and the turbo was a big improvement for towing. Picked up 3-3.5 mpg towing. I get 14-14.5 mpg towing it 70 mph.

 

I have a 6000 lb trailer to pull, Radix is great, but I'm using 91 octane, which is the best I can get in AZ. If you figure that you drive 20,000 miles a year, average of...say....13mpg between towing and not towing, that is ~1538 gallons of gas. At a $0.20 per gallon difference, that is a $307 difference per year, $26 per month difference. When you look at that compared to the total cost of gas for the year (figure 2.65 for premium, 2.45 for regular gives $4075/year premium, $3768/year regular), there's not that much difference. Might as well just buy the 91 octane and not worry about retarding the timing or anything, which will lose you lots of power, not to mention whether or not it's good for the truck, I have no idea about that.

As far as durability, I have just under 100K miles on my truck, had the Radix put in at 35K, and have had no major problems other than the tranny, which is pretty normal. I tow a lot.

 

You shouldn't have any problem with the 4l80e. I've been towing with the turbo over a year and no problems. Plus i beat on it atleast once a day.

 

The Eaton/radix is the only FI that consistently passes all OEM durability tests with a min 100,000 mile service life.

 

Thanks guys for the information.

Steve