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If you want to go with the Maggie the only thing I would do is fresh valve springs. Some stock LS3 springs would be a cheap upgrade to help keep the valves closed under boost. it's been awhile since I've tuned a blower truck on the dyno but you can expect substantial gains at 2000 rpms locked in overdrive with just 6-8psi boost. Years ago I was towing a lot with my turbo truck and thought it was the coolest thing to be pulling a hill loaded with the cruise set and watch the boost gauge creep up to 3 or 4psi and slowly fall back to vacuum once cresting the hill. It was almost as if the truck really didn't care the loaded trailer was back there. Unloaded it never saw boost pulling a hill. Towing really heavy and it would stay in boost on the long hills but never had to unlock converter or drop out of 4th.
If you want to go with the Maggie the only thing I would do is fresh valve springs. Some stock LS3 springs would be a cheap upgrade to help keep the valves closed under boost. it's been awhile since I've tuned a blower truck on the dyno but you can expect substantial gains at 2000 rpms locked in overdrive with just 6-8psi boost. Years ago I was towing a lot with my turbo truck and thought it was the coolest thing to be pulling a hill loaded with the cruise set and watch the boost gauge creep up to 3 or 4psi and slowly fall back to vacuum once cresting the hill. It was almost as if the truck really didn't care the loaded trailer was back there. Unloaded it never saw boost pulling a hill. Towing really heavy and it would stay in boost on the long hills but never had to unlock converter or drop out of 4th.
what I'm towing isn't extremely heavey proballey no more than 4KLBs which includes the weight of trailer gear, fuel ect.
even though it's relatively lite it's real tall about 12' so it's not aerodynamic by any means.
future plans include installing a center windshield hatch in upper windshild opened this will allow about 1/3 the air to flow though the cabin compared to a solid windshield.
haven't towed yet. but have been on a couple trips same route though Florida panhandle. when it gets hilly she will unwillingly drop to 3rd to clear the incline. I feel w/ stock power she won't be stronge enough for those hills. it will feel like the astro van V6 I brought the vessel home w/ (it can be done but prefer more power)I also need more power to pass on the 2 lane blacktop when a slow driver wont do the speed limit.
apparently I'm not the only one that needs more out of the van these ppl have done a few vans
roots type blowers centrifical prochargers an even turbos. https://www.indianamusclecar.com/
their fakebook site has a bunch of images of vans w/ power adders.
I think I can bolt on a maggie.
here's a maggie appears much larger than the 1900. also this is a 6.2 could be a 6.4 which I think is LSA engine which I believe are taller than my LQ4.surprized they used stock exhaust manifolds.
Saying all that, I use to tow a lot with a stock LQ4 and a turbo. It made a huge difference with only 5-6psi at 1800 rpms. Turning it up to 10psi got me in trouble by towing substantially more than truck was rated for and I had helper bags so I'd just air them up to level the truck and go. Ended up bending the frame but it would chug on along like a diesel and make whistle noises.
I would love to hear more about this setup and at what point you bent your frame
Feb 3, 2023 | 09:14 PM
