I'm an old fart... 62 yrs. Built a couple 283's back in the day but nuttin much since. Consequently I know next to nothing about todays technology but rodding go in my blood back in the 50's and I've never been able to stay away from it for long. Now that I'm old I've got a few bucks I can free up to go play hot rodder.

I have a 2002 Silverado, 5.3 litre, 373 gears, dropped 2" front and 4" rear. 18" wheels w/Falcon tires. Roll pan w/93 Cad taillights installed horizontally and several other cosmetic changes. I saved the performace changes until the warrantee had run out so it's been all show and no go...... until now!

I ordered a Magnacharger Radix Monday and it was supposed to be shipped today. I had a Hypertech tune in the truck and a Granatelli MAS and I returned the tune to stock and took the aftermarket MAS out, in preparaton for the Radix. I have a KN cold air box and filter and have so far left them in.

I 've read about folks installing performance tuning after the Radix installation but don't know what/where to look at, what's safe, etc. Suggestions for a performance tune?

I have an excellent and highly experienced friend who's been building hot rods for over 40 years who will be taking charge of the install with me reading instructions to him. He also has enlisted the help of a guy who has worked for years installing the electronics in cars built by RJ race cars (used to build cars for WJ and Scotty Cannon among others) so he knows what he's doing.

They're wondering how long this might take. What has your experience been? 10 hours? 12? More? Less?

What transmisson changes are suggested?

Any advice based on your experiences will sure be appreicated.

Thanks, Jim

 

Well Im not doign radix.... Im doing a whipple...but I hear radix is where its at.. Being a college student I cant afford the 5000 dollar price tag!!

And the person doing my install is estimating 2-5 hours....

I would put some servos and shift kit in my trans.... The 4l60e doesnt like alot of power from what I hear!!

PCMforless.com or Nelsonperformance.com both are very good tuners...

PCMforless.com is supposed to be the man with superchargers, and Nelson is suppose to be the man with Turbo's..

Honestly I imagine both of them are very good at both...

But for the price difference between the 2 I would go with PCMforles.com (I actualy did get them to tune my truck)

I was very happy with it..

If your looking for the best power you can get then you can probably find a reputable dyno tuner around your area for about the same price as a nelson tune...

 

Welcome to the site Jim. Nothing wrong with being an old fart, especially one driving a nice blown chevy truck.

I've got a Radix and can honestly say that you made a great choice.

Install does take some time when you are going step by step through the directions. Its pretty easy overall. The main compressor manifold install step is pretty quick, its the minor stuff like fuel system upgrade that will slow you down. It can easily be done in a day.

I susggest you do at least a shift kit and servo install on the transmission. If you have alot of miles on it, it wouldn't hurt to have it freshened up at the same time with good bands and clutches. Most people find our current motors can handle lots of power and the transmission gives out first.

 

hey jim...mine should be shipped as well soon and i have already ordered a tranny cooler ,transgo shift kit,zinc seperator plate,billet servos for the tranny.good luck on the install and have fun with the new found power...

 

If I remember correctly the radix install took me and a buddy along with 12 other buds about 8 or 9 hrs youre gonna love it enjoy.

 

The Radix was probably the most involved installation I had done before, and it went very smoothly. Everything is straight forward, it probably took me about 10 hours over a few days, taking my time to get everything perfect (which reminds me - when you get to the fuel pressure regulator step - put LOTS of lube on those O rings when installing and make sure they dont pinch).

I installed a mail-order Nelson tune for the Radix upon installation, and it ran flawlessly. A dyno tune a few weeks later entailed very minor changes to the tune (1 or 2 degrees of timing and slight adjustment of air:fuel = 20hp/30tq )

 

Nice!

 

Where do I go to get a Nelson tune? In fact... what is a Nelson tune? Is it a hand held think like the Hypertech I have? Is the installation involved? Remember I'm clueless ....... but I can plug in a programmer and push a couple of buttons if that's what we're talking about.

 

It's easier than a handheld, your PCM is located on the driver side of your truck right next to the battery, it's underneath a plastic cover. disconnect the negative batter cable, take the cover off, use a 7mm socket and wrench, take two bolts out, take the pcm out, replace w/other PCM install it, put batter cable back on and then enjoy!