DJS_02_6_OH

I’m looking for suggestions on building a tow rig out of my LQ4. It’s a 2002 Silverado 2500HD 3/4 ton 6.0L.

My fiancé and I both use it for towing, and she daily drives it a lot of the time as well. We both have trailers, so we tow quite a bit with this truck. We currently have a 2 horse bumper pull trailer, weighing in around 2,500 lbs unloaded. Add 2 horses and that’s , 2,000 lbs, so 4,500 lbs fully loaded, give or take. We plan to upgrade within the next few weeks to a month. We’re going to get a 3 horse gooseneck with a 10’ short wall and a living quarters. This trailer weighs around 8,900 lbs unloaded. Add 3 horses and that’s another 3,000 lbs, so 11,900 lbs fully loaded, give or take.

I also have an 8.5’x20’ enclosed trailer that I use to tow around my race car. That weighs somewhere around 10,000 lbs fully loaded, give or take.

Now I know that the factory LQ4 in a 3/4 ton chassis has a towing capacity of 12,000 lbs (well, that’s what the internet says, and everything on the internet is true, right?), but I’d like to give it a bit more power to take these hills more easier.

Now, I plan to freshen the motor up with the basic replacement of the piston rings and bearings and what not, and I also plan to add an external transmission cooler and beef up the cooling system a bit too, but I’m here looking for suggestions on what route to take.

I do realize that I’ll never get ‘good’ gas mileage out of an LQ4, and I’m okay with that, but I’d also like to not deal with 5 mpg while towing (I already struggle to get 8 mpg).

So, suggestions. 210/218 cam (or 212/218) with upgraded valvetrain, tuning software and a dyno tune? Supercharger kit with tuning software and a dyno tune? If supercharging, do I go centrifugal or roots style kit? Mild turbo kit with tuning software and a dyno tune?

Hearing the pros and the cons to each scenario would be wonderful too.

Thank you so much in advance!

- DJ

1FastBrick

iTrader: (17)

8.1 Swap!!! Improve your gas mileage all the way around and make towing a breeze.

https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...-truck-539969/

tgui

I'm probably totally wrong but I thought I read you dont want to tow using a supercharger. Like they get too hot. Turbos are the way to go. Just what I read.

DJS_02_6_OH

wretched73

iTrader: (1)

You sure you got that right?

Every 3rd thread says to us a PD blower for towing and not a turbo

DJS_02_6_OH

tgui

Turbos are designed to be abused. All large towing trucks / diesels use them when constant power is needed. Sure roots blowers were used long ago on big trucks, but that was long ago. Superchargers are great for short bursts of power I was reading; not designed for constant power and longevity. Based on how the big 3 use turbos I'd be more inclined to use them in work application compared to superchargers.

I'm happy to be wrong, I have no skin in the game. I'm working towards a LSA blower but have had turbos in the past.

tgui

There is merit to KISS. Keeping It Simple Stupid. ;-) While I am doing a LSA, I love turbos more. I came from the small ricer world with a 500hp STi that was methanol injected.

DJS_02_6_OH

tgui

You win!