OK guys, I have a H & C N2O Camaro that is pretty quick, but I really don't know anything about truck mods. So I know the lingo, just not the specifics.

My 2001, 2500 series, 6.0, 4L80-E, w/4.10 gears Suburban (tow vehicle) is going to fall out of it's extended warranty very soon. I want to start modifying it.

It is a daily driver sort of (not everyday, mostly weekends).

I mostly use it on weekends to tow my 27' enclosed race trailer.
Gas prices as you know are through the roof.
I also run premium fuel because of the load. Which is even more expensive.
This thing drinks gas like you don't know.

So basically, What should I do to the truck to improve power, towing, and fuel mileage? Cold air intake? who's? Exhaust? or does mine flow good enough? if not who's. LS1 Edit? Why?
I am not trying to build a race truck or anything but I am no longer worried about keeping her stock for warranty purposes.

I was told that a turbo would actually improve my towing fuel mileage and I know that that is true. But I also know that would cost a bundle and I would never be able offset the cost of the turbo with the mileage. (although I do run premium already ) FYI Offsetting is not a huge factor. Right know I am thinking of something not so extreme.

Thanks for any advice.

 

The routine bolt ons are long tube headers (togs), magnaflow catback, cold air intake
and a nelson tune.
Beyond that, funds permitting... magnacharger or whipple blower,or turbo, sts is popular and livorski is gaining ground, stall and cam.
depends on your budget.

Dave

 

for sure, nelson tune and harness w/ ls1 efans (helps on mileage), pacesetter LT's w/ Ypipe, CAI

that should be a good start and will free up a few pony's along with giving a little better mileage

i was playing about the whole mileage deal! with 4.10 what can you expect

 

There are a couple STS turbo kits for sale in the classifieds and they are incredible deals!! I wouldnt be able to sell this vortech fast enough though.

 

Thanks Guy's

Who or what is Nelson tune? Is it like a power programmer or is it a person who tunes trucks with a good reputation?

Do you really think I will pick up from headers? I always heard that the 6.0 stock manifolds were really good? That is why people in the early days used the 6.0 manifolds on turbo systems. (some still do)

No one specified which cold air intake to get? Whose yields the most HP?

A converter is not going to help in my situation, I am not racing the truck.

The 4.10 gears sound bad (and they are) but the 2500 series has slightly larger tires on it. It is turning 2000 rpm @ 60mph.

Electric fans is a good idea, but someone told me not to put those on a tow vehicle because "electrics just don't move as much air as a clutch fan" ?

Does STS make a kit for a Suburban? There are used ones in the classifieds?

livorski ? what is that?

Thanks guy's for all your help. From one LS1 guy to another.

 

You managed to post 94 times without knowing about nelson tunes. Do a search , You will not have time to read thru all the praise post.Damn nice guy.Yes , headers help alot . Get them and the tune to turn the rear cats off.Sounds like you are not strapped for cash, Bolt a radix on

 

I agree with all of the above. As for specifics I have done a Westers tune to my truck (ok Nelson guys, no flames-they both do a great job!), an aFe cai and a Corsa cat back. I am very pleased with the results and am running them on an ECSB 5.3 with 4:10's. For the Nelson or Westers tune, they re-program your PCM. Don't worry about down time, they give you thirty days to return yours after you receive their tune or you can send them a core. Look for both of them in the search feature for particulars on how to contact them. Good luck on the mileage regardless, we won't be winning any green awards from the EPA anytime soon.

 

Yeah, well, I spend most of my time in the car areas.
Cartek tunes my Camaro and I am pretty happy with them but they do not do much truck work as far as I know. I would probably have them tune it because they are local (NJ) and they have an exellent reputation.

Now what is a Radix? A screw type blower?

 

Click on the sponser links to the right for magnacharger an nelson performance.

 

Yes a radix is a supercharger and its by magnacharger IMO its the best supercharger out there for our trucks. The CAI brand well for the most part they are pretty much all equal UPD's intakes have a problem with cracking I got a Airaid MIT and an ebay intake for a hundred bucks and the guys that spent 3 hundred on theirs probablty got 2 or 3 more hp than me. Nelson is a great guy he is based out of San Antonio texas and does a great job. You can see my mods in my sig. Stick with the clutch fan if the vehicle really does alot of towing like you said becaue it does a better job of cooling than the e-fans. You cant beat the price of the pacesetters for the gp price Im getting some just waiting for them to land on my door step. Exhuast would be a good place to start maybe a 22" magnaflow cause they will give you good performance and be quieter since you tow alot and have 4.10 gears(high rpm's). Just my .02