|
|
12-30-2014, 09:36 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 4
|
Truck horsepower
What is the best way to improve the horsepower on my 2002 Chevy Silverado 3/4 ton 6.0 engine? Only has 31,000 miles on it. I'm pulling a 2014 Flagstaff 8528 RKWS.
|
|
|
12-30-2014, 10:17 PM
|
#2
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Posts: 3,369
|
That's a tough one. Some people will recommend tuning software or exhaust modifications. Unfortunately, those are expensive alternatives for modest gains. And I think that what you REALLY want is increased torque. Some of the engine mods can actually work to reduce torque.
What is your rear axle ratio? Perhaps the truck could be geared down a bit. But if you are already at 3.73 or 4.10, there isn't any room there either.
__________________
2021 F350 Lariat 7.3 4X4 w 4.30s, 2018 Wildcat 29RLX
2012 BMW G650GS, Demco Premiere Slider
1969 John Deere 1020, 1940 Ford 9N, 1948 Ford 8N
Jonsered 535, Can of WD-40, Duct Tape
Red Green coffee mugs
|
|
|
12-31-2014, 02:39 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 499
|
Tuner won't do much for gas motor. Air Intake and exhaust is about all you can do..I don't think the power increase will be worth the money.
Your Rig is a low mileage rig to say the least and you can get top dollar for it. You could consider selling and getting a diesel where Tune mods make a big difference not only in motor but shifiting as well...
|
|
|
12-31-2014, 07:19 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 284
|
I would say it depends what you want to spend.
cam, ported heads, headers and exhaust will get you a good increase. look at the edelbrock e force super chargers too!
if you arent looking at spending alot (10k) dont waste your money on tuners.
|
|
|
12-31-2014, 08:20 AM
|
#5
|
Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Colorado
Posts: 93
|
What a lot of people do is a mistake, free flowing exhausts etc might increase upper rpm horsepower but it will be at the expense of torque.
|
|
|
12-31-2014, 08:55 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Byron Center, MI
Posts: 430
|
Torch is spot on regarding exhaust and torque. This is especially true for the GM 6.0 on your truck which is an LQ4, a version of the LS engine.
I have the same in my 2006 2500HD and am pretty impressed with it in the stock setup.
I just sent my ECM out to get reflashed by Black Bear Performance. Along with my added cold air intake, I'm expecting a 50 hp gain in the low to mid rpm range. These engines are severely detuned by the factory to meet emission standards, so there is much to be gained with a proper tune. The tune includes reconfiguring the transmission settings for better torque management as well.
A pretty good investment for the money IMO.
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
__________________
2020 SOB - Jayco North Point 387RDFS
2013 Crusader 325RES Touring Edition - SOLD
TV: 2018 GMC Sierra Denali HD CC SRW L5P Duramax Curt Q20
|
|
|
12-31-2014, 08:56 AM
|
#7
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
|
I have had to delete several threads that had no reference to the the OPs question. He specifically asked about a Chevy engine.....not Ford, not Dodge.
Let's keep the thread on track with Chevy answers.
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
|
|
|
12-31-2014, 10:41 AM
|
#8
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tipp City, OH
Posts: 7,154
|
I was never impressed with my 2006 6.0L. While it had power, I thought it was lacking by today's standards, with only a little over 300hp. My biggest complaint was in the transmission though. Always searching for a gear, and while it had power to pull, the transmission was constantly downshifting, and high revving the engine, which drove me crazy. Pulled my 7200lb TT one season with it before I traded it in. I do believe you could do some valve work and tuning on the trans to make it better, I had great results with Level 10 upgrades in the past. Getting the power to the ground has better results than increasing the power.
__________________
2016 Georgetown 364TS
2017 Jeep Rubicon Recon toad
Nights Camped 2019 - 17
|
|
|
12-31-2014, 11:37 AM
|
#9
|
Ret E-9 Anchor-clanker
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Genoa, ILL
Posts: 1,476
|
Don't know what the ratio is in the rear axel but have you thought about lowering it?
__________________
Don & Dona W/yorkies Gizmo, Master Chief, & Tali
2011 Flagstaff 8528 BHSS 2015 Ford 6.7 XLT
2010 Full Timers & Still Going
|
|
|
12-31-2014, 11:48 AM
|
#10
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,327
|
I'm surprised that you're unhappy with that combo...I had the same floorplan in a Rockwood and towed it for 2 years with a Hemi Ram and I was adequate for power.
What you really what is increased torque...lower RPM even better. Increased horsepower usually increase torque too but usually increases the RPM which peak torque occurs. Increasing the axle ratio has the same effect as increasing the engine torque and would be relatively inexpensive unless you have a 4x4. If you're thinking that you need more power to be able to maintain speed regardless of the grade, you should probably change that expectation.
Dave
__________________
Nights camped in 2013 - 55, 2014 - 105, 2015 - 63
|
|
|
12-31-2014, 12:40 PM
|
#11
|
Camper Less Camping
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NW
Posts: 3,642
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AquaMan
I was never impressed with my 2006 6.0L. While it had power, I thought it was lacking by today's standards, with only a little over 300hp. My biggest complaint was in the transmission though. Always searching for a gear, and while it had power to pull, the transmission was constantly downshifting, and high revving the engine, which drove me crazy. Pulled my 7200lb TT one season with it before I traded it in. I do believe you could do some valve work and tuning on the trans to make it better, I had great results with Level 10 upgrades in the past. Getting the power to the ground has better results than increasing the power.
|
X2...had a 2009 Sierra 6.0, loved the truck but hated the power train setup
__________________
2013 Sabre 32RCTS-6 (sold)
Family of 4 whose always on the GEAUX!
|
|
|
12-31-2014, 01:25 PM
|
#12
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 4
|
The rear axel is 3.73 and it is a 4x4. I thought about changing the rear gears to 410 but I would have to do both front and back because it is a four wheel drive. I'm looking more into bolt on parts, like intake and exhaust. I appreciate your suggestions and comments. I want to do something without going to the extreme.
|
|
|
12-31-2014, 03:14 PM
|
#13
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tipp City, OH
Posts: 7,154
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by William S Imondi Sr
The rear axel is 3.73 and it is a 4x4. I thought about changing the rear gears to 410 but I would have to do both front and back because it is a four wheel drive. I'm looking more into bolt on parts, like intake and exhaust. I appreciate your suggestions and comments. I want to do something without going to the extreme.
|
Don't waste money on "cold air intakes", your truck has more than enough breathing room, and the gains are minimal at best. I ran only a slightly modified stock air box on a supercharged 5.7L with no problem. I still think money is best spent at the transmission. A reworked valve body and a tune will make the truck act completely different for less than you would spend on other add ons.
__________________
2016 Georgetown 364TS
2017 Jeep Rubicon Recon toad
Nights Camped 2019 - 17
|
|
|
01-01-2015, 08:53 AM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 242
|
I'm surprised that you're not pleased with your truck's performance. I pull the exact same camper that you have with an F150 and the 3.5L Ecoboost with a 3.55 gear. I've put almost 3000 miles on it in the last 6 months pulling to Charleston SC, east Tennessee mountains, Virginia, and eastern Kentucky. Never short on torque or speed, cruising at 70-72 mph @ 2000-2200 RPMs in 5th & 6th gear 98% of the time. The occasional downshift to 4th is only on the steepest interstate grades.
|
|
|
01-01-2015, 09:42 AM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NEPA
Posts: 1,477
|
If you plan on keeping this truck for awhile and towing with it frequently, the gear swap in both axles is the way to go. You'll lose some MPGs, but you'll be happier with the towing. My truck came with 3.42 rears and swapped to 4.10. I wouldn't trade the towing torque back for the mileage I lost. Good luck!
__________________
2015 XLR Hyperlite 30HFS5 (mods being performed regularly)
2009 Salem LA 292fkds (gone)
Nights- ('12)23 ('13)23 ('14)15 ('15)31 ('16)27 ('17) 20 (‘18)21 (‘19)23
2019 Honda CRV (camping support vehicle)
2014 Harley Davidson FLHX (XLR cargo)
2011 Ram 2500 CC 4X4 CTD, B&W Companion (toy hauler hauler)
|
|
|
01-01-2015, 10:01 AM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,428
|
You have a couple of options, while neither are cheap, they'll likely give you what you're looking for.
Option A, a supercharger such as the mentioned Edlebrock Eforce unit. You can get these as bolt on kits complete with a tuner so you can properly retune the engine and transmission controls. They're relatively low boost, so extra engine strain is minimal while gaining about 100 horsepower.
Option B, get a Gear Vendors under drive unit. They bolt in between the transmission and the transfer case and you can select a ratio that will give you the results you want. So if you want to end up with an effective 4.30 setup you order a unit with a 14% under drive. Then, flip a switch and the unit switches gear back to normal and you're back to your 3.73 ratio. So if you're happy with its high gear performance but want more getting out of the intersection then you have the best of both worlds.
__________________
Now-2014 Sierra 346RETS 5er BUB
Then-2002 Keystone Springdale 286RLDS TT
Nights camped in 2014-28, 2015-127, 2016-10
|
|
|
01-01-2015, 11:16 AM
|
#18
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Posts: 3,369
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by SKnight
Option B, get a Gear Vendors under drive unit. They bolt in between the transmission and the transfer case and you can select a ratio that will give you the results you want. So if you want to end up with an effective 4.30 setup you order a unit with a 14% under drive. Then, flip a switch and the unit switches gear back to normal and you're back to your 3.73 ratio. So if you're happy with its high gear performance but want more getting out of the intersection then you have the best of both worlds.
|
Interesting! I've have not heard of such a product before. I'm going to google it out of curiousity.
Edit: Googled it. Yikes! $3,000 plus and installation cost. Cool product though.
__________________
2021 F350 Lariat 7.3 4X4 w 4.30s, 2018 Wildcat 29RLX
2012 BMW G650GS, Demco Premiere Slider
1969 John Deere 1020, 1940 Ford 9N, 1948 Ford 8N
Jonsered 535, Can of WD-40, Duct Tape
Red Green coffee mugs
|
|
|
01-01-2015, 01:08 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,428
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by acadianbob
Interesting! I've have not heard of such a product before. I'm going to google it out of curiousity.
Edit: Googled it. Yikes! $3,000 plus and installation cost. Cool product though.
|
Yeah, like I said they're not cheap. But they're an excellent solution and cheaper than another truck. But cost more than a front and rear gear swap, so it's up to the buyer.
__________________
Now-2014 Sierra 346RETS 5er BUB
Then-2002 Keystone Springdale 286RLDS TT
Nights camped in 2014-28, 2015-127, 2016-10
|
|
|
01-01-2015, 02:38 PM
|
#20
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tipp City, OH
Posts: 7,154
|
Not sure about the newer under drives, but the earlier ones were noisy and problematic.
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
__________________
2016 Georgetown 364TS
2017 Jeep Rubicon Recon toad
Nights Camped 2019 - 17
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|