I’m brand new here, so if this question has been asked before I apologize (I did searches! I promise!). If there are threads on this that I have missed, please post the link(s) and I’ll delete this thread if possible. With that out if the way…..

I have a ½ Ton 2007 GMC Sierra Classic – Crew Cab, short bed 4x4 w/the towing & Z71 packages and 3.73 gears. I love the truck, but when towing my 21’ toyhauler it’s very underpowered. The suspension, as well as everything else is great while towing – it’s just underpowered.

I’m not looking to bolt on a blower (yet) but here is what I had in mind:

•Air intake

•Exhaust

•“Chip”

•Underdrive Pulleys


I used to be heavily into modifying cars/trucks but haven’t been into it for ten or so years (a mortgage and a family will do that to a guy), so I need some suggestions…for the items that I mentioned, are there specific brands/models that I should be looking at? Any other bolt-on items that will help get the job done? Links are greatly appreciated.

Than you in advance,

jebfour

P.S.

Forgot to mention that everything needs to be legal in CA!

 

your best bet would be that blower or maybe a turbo

You can change the gears, but it will be costly with 2 differentials.

 

First place to start would be with a good custom tune. We have a couple of great tuners that are sponsors here.

Personally I think most of the aftermarket intakes for these trucks area waste of money. You might get 5 hp for the $200+ they cost.

Being in CA I don't think you can do much with the exhaust that will gain you much. From what I gather the stock muffler isn't all that bad. If you want a better sound than stock then by all means go for it!

Underdrives would free up a little power, but I think that money would be better spent towards a cam upgrade first.

Also be prepared for a short lived transmission if you do a lot of towing.

 

^^^ Good advice

Welcome to the site jebfour

 

I figured that much of this bolt-on stuff might not do a whole bunch...

Here again - been out of this for quite some time...names and links (in Southern California if possible) would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

 

I don't know who's in SoCal. One of the closest I do know if is Synergy Motorsports
Make sure and check out the Synergy Girls!

You could also go the mail order route with Blackbear Performance
or Wheatley custom tuning

 

Here's some links to some good tuners

http://www.blackbearperformance.com/

http://www.gowheatley.com/

http://www.nelsonperformance.com/

 

Located in the (530) area code (which is where I grew up). I didn't see it on their site - where are they located?

 

Hey Jebfour, welcome to the site! You in 530? Where specifically? I have EFI Live V2, and might be able to help you get something started with one of the sponsors/tuners here that tune with EFI Live.

Edit: Just saw that was Justin's Cell #, I didn't realize that. Where you at now in Southern California?

 

I'm about in the same situation as you. 7-8,000 lbs. of car trailer to pull. I did a little HP Tuner self tuning for gas mileage, but it took away power. But, I've added a large cold air intake. It hardly helped as the Z71 models have a high capacity air cleaner. Patrick G. of LS1Tech.com spec'd a camshaft for me and it will be installed in the next couple month. PM me and I'll let you know how it turned out. I asked for a grind that would give me an additional 30 hp and 30 lbtq without hurting my gas mileage, 500 rpm idle or emissions. I'll also add an under-drive pulley set, but that stuff typically doesn't help until later in the RPM range.

I've also considered a blower/supercharger/turbo, but they typically don't get better gas mileage, and I believe they require higher octane fuel. If my camshaft doesn't do the trick what I may do is get a LS3 stroker (416 CI) and move my heads and intake over to it to retain the Displacement on Demand. I can easily make 475 flywheel horsepower and still maintain the Displacement on Demand fuel economy advantage with 87 octane. It gets a little tricky with the oil passages of the DoD system, but it can be done. The end result is forced induction power, without the side effects. It just requires more wrenching.

Let me leave you with a final thought. If you upgrade your camshaft, then the springs and push rods will also need upgrading. Thus, the simple $375 dollar camshaft will also require $250 springs and $115 push rods. It gets expensive.

But, if you have one of those Synergy Girls poster in your garage, and your wife doesn't mind, none of this will be a problem.