Hey guys,

I have had my Suburban for about a year and a half, bought it when we had kid #3 on the way. I love it, but I am yearning for more power. Going to be hitting the search engine a bit here!

I have built a few cars already, one full blown rock crawler a few years ago. The farthest I have done in real performance is my F150 doing an intake/cat back/edge programmer. I bought a Cummins that had work done, but nothing that I did to it.

Right now my sub is completely stock, and I am going to take it slow in building it up. I am told I have free reign from the wife, but don't want to take from the family budget, and can't have my truck down for long periods of time (turbo is on the list, but a ways off because of the downtime at this point) it is my daily driver. It has 196k, 2wd, LM7 5.3 auto, 1500.

So, my thoughts are to start with:
Long tubes/exhaust
Intake (looked at the LS1 manifold swap, but read that would take some bottom end out, so on the fence there. May be better for long term, but now I don't think so)
Will need tune, have a higher end GM shop (well, they were I haven't heard much about them in a bit, but haven't searched them out in a while)

Longer term:
Cam - will definitely need to read up here, so many options I don't even know where to start
Converter - possible look at upgrade to 4L80E
Possibly regear, and add LSD

With the miles, I would probably build a motor for the turbo. I would like to have the truck heading that direction throughout the project. It will be a street truck, possible drag time but not hugely important. There will be suspension work as well, as I wouldn't mind throwing it around a road course here and there.

What do you think of the plan? Anything I should add? Take away?

Thanks!

 

First,

Welcome.

2nd,

What year 'Burb?

 

I knew I left something out! 2002, LT.

I will add, for suspension, I just want to add drop spindles and springs for the back, upgrade the shocks. As the project progresses, will want to put in poly bushings and upgraded sway bars. Want to add either chrome LTZ 20s (or the 22s, but that will be too big I believe) or the SS 20s.

I've pulled the fender flares, want to pull the moulding and roof rack, color match and upgrade some cosmetics of the truck.

 

Here are a few pictures, just the run of the mill sub

 

Another

 

If you are debating a turbo I'd skip the headers in the mean time... They will be useless once you get the turbo.

I'm biased but for a family hauler that will get miles I think a TVS is the way to go. A turbo is nice and they make great power, but they just arent as easy. They require a tad more maintenance and the under hood heat can be tough on things. A TVS1900 is a very straight forward upgrade and it would be fine with the stock motor for a while. Eventually you will want all the upgrades mentioned earlier. Headers, a cam, and transmission will all be appreciated.

 

I knew the headers would need to be redone, wasn't too worried about that since it would be down the road to turbo it.

To be completely honest, I never have looked into supers on the truck. I do know the supporting mods mentioned above would help with the super, how do you like yours?
GM Truck and SUV 4.8L 5.3L 6.0L 1999-2003 Radix Magnuson Supercharger - Magnuson Products, LLC is the one I found for the truck, but it's not the 1900 or 2300 I read about in another thread, I'm assuming just different part numbers for different models. I didn't see anything about it, I'm assuming the kit comes with fuel pump or is the stocker able to keep up?

My wife would need to be able to drive it, would a super be easier for her to drive than turbo? She never drove my Cummins as it was a stick and she can't drive stick. I have never owned a supered vehicle.

 

Im not sure that either is hard to drive. That will be more dependent on the cam you choose. A Magnuson is however extremely driver friendly. Its power under the pedal. Dont push it hard and it will feel normal. Push it hard and bake your tires.

You can make a 1900 kit work on your truck very easily. Definitely get the 1900 over the 112.

 

After lots of reading and comparing, think I have come to a plan.

Phase 1, the basics
Cold air intake (looking at the S&B, up for opinions here)
Long tube headers and Y pipe, following with a complete system. Magnaflow muffler, possible the Texas Speed headers and Y, still looking at options here too.
Tune, pull everything together. I know a handheld unit will be OK, a specific tune to the truck will be much more better.
Corvette servo and shift kit

Phase 2
Suspension, brakes, wheels and tires
3/5 drop, LTZ 20s (possible 22s if the deal is right)
Poly
07 up brake upgrade, possible to upgrade that too

Phase 3
Gear
Converter
Traction aid, either LSD or straight locker
Cam, maybe add some heads. Obviously have time here.

I think here is when the TVS will go on, build the rest up to make the most of the boost.

What do you think?

 

What he said!