Hi all. New to the forum. Here 'cause I've got lots of questions.

I've an '02 suburban 1500 2wd. I'd like to build an engine for it. I don't want a race car, more like a strong tow vehicle that's fun to drive. My thoughts are:


I'll find a used LQ4/9 and build from there. Normally aspirated, unless someone can point me to the blower for under $5k. Since I want lots of low/mid torque perhaps a stroker kit is in order. I want to run pump gas, but I might compromise for premium gas. Reliability matters, I'll take less performance for long life - to some degree anyway.

I'm guessing I build 400 HP and 425 or so torque without anything too radical - maybe I'm kidding myself.

So where do I start? What are the things I need to think about? What are good information sources? I'm sure there are similar builds out there, so what have others done? Any reading recommendations - SA books for example.

Thanks in advance for all advice

 

well my dad has on 02 silverado hd with the 6.0. been driving it for bout 2 months and have been thinkin bout what would make it better and keep the torque. my plan would be an 02-04 ls6 cam with springs, long tubes and full exhaust, cold air intake, and an edelbrock pro flo xt intake with throttle body. properly tuned, it should push what your looking for and still be docile for daily driving. not to mention, pull trailers better. or at least thats my idea. lol. and by the way, welcome to the forum

 

those goals are definitely achievable.... i put down 364/ 374 tq to the wheels with a mild cam and some valve springs in a 6.0.... if you still wanna tow your gonnna have to choose a small cam though and tight converter... but it will be worlds better than what you have now... and it will have TORQUE, hell even a stock 6.0 will wake that beast up..... and then eventually your trans will go BOOM.... so when you get a 6.0 you might as well and get the 80e trans with it... especiallly since you have that heavy suburban...

 

Very attainable goals and easily done for the price range your looking for. Simplest thing to do would get a stock 6L and buy a new R-TVS1900 of used TVS1900 (bout the same price) and throw that on there. Your finished and done and you can tow all day with it.
Lots of people have that set-up on here as well, really reliable! Have fun!

 

OK, newbie question.

Does the r in r-tvs1900 stand for rebuilt?

About (ball-parkish) how much does one of these go for (r or used). Even better, who is reputable rebuilder of these things and do they have a website.

BTW, I'm full of, what must seem, very newbie questions. I really appreciate any help I can get.

I think I'm gonna work up parts lists, cost estimates, HP & torque (gu)estimates for three engine builds:

1) A built 6.0
2) A stroked (and built) 6.0, so 6.7
3) A blown 6.0

I've searched for the latest books in Amazon and I have a not-too-long reading list. I'm gonna swing by Barnes&Noble today to get started - I'll order what I can't find. So, I'm not solely relying on the good humor and indulgence of the experts at this forum. But thanks in advance for all the help.

 

R- stands for Roush. Eaton is the main supplier of TVS superchargers. Companies like Magnasun and Roush buy the core components from Eaton and build/assemble the superchargers and sell them on the market. Magnuson's kits new are over your $5,000 budget but you can get one of their used ones that are sold on here from time to time for probably around $4,000. Roush is getting out of the GM performance market and is liquidating their Superchargers and you can buy a new one for about $2,300 I think it is right now. They are almost out and new these things cost upwards of $6,000 so it's a pretty good deal. There's a few people on here that have them.
But anything new other than the R-TVS is gonna be over your $5,000 budget.
I wouldn't bother building a 6L unless you plan on going a little nuts with the boost. A stock 6L with some springs will do exactly what your looking to do.
Also reading is the best start, but also this forum is stacked with technical information. Definetly read the STICKIES in the forced induction sections!!

 

yea, I guess option 3 is actually $$$ to build a 6.0 then $$$ for the blower, and that's gonna bust the bank. So maybe the choices that are reasonably comparable are:

1) a built 6.0
2) a stroked 6.0
3) put a blower on my 5.3

I've a lot to learn.