Fresh canvas ready for some upgrades!

[RaptorEater]

Hey guys new to the forum! Just purchased my 3rd GM vehicle! I previously had a 2007 5.3 Silverado LTZ, a 2005 Cadillac CTS-V, and now a 2011 Gmc Sierra Denali!

 

My truck is 2wd and obviously has the 6.2 (L9H). I'm ready to do some upgrades and I'm not exactly sure the best route to go performance wise. Here's what I'm thinking. Would love to hear your guys input. I am no gear head but I'm learning so bare with me!

 

Intake-

Was thinking a Volant intake for the closed/insulated box that provides cooler air, but at the same time Wouldn't it provide less air compared to a non-enclosed filter box? Either way heard the Volant was the best route and saw some for 250-300$ on eBay.

 

Exhaust- I want something that's going to be a little bit louder but really just looking for good power gains. Also I don't want to spend $1000+ on an exhaust. I've read that I can accomplish the same thing by going a cheaper route like cutting the resonator off or adding a Y pipe.

 

Headers- love the sound and power gains you get from headers. Just not sure what size to go.

 

Tune- I will be getting my truck tuned at Houston House of Power by Chucks Tuning, who does a really good job with gm motors.

 

Ready.... Go! And thanks in advance! Glad to be apart of the forum!

[chupe442]

Headers, long tube 3 1/2 inch back.

Mufflers, the world is your oyster... Borla, Flowmaster, etc everyone will have a different opinion..

CIA, Volant makes a fine product. Stay away from the $50.00 kits and you will be fine.

Tune, BlackBearPerformance gets much love in this forum, but your guy will more than likely do just fine as long as he is reputable.

 

 

Whatcha got for rear end gears?

 

Supercharge that sumbitch!!

 

Nice truck!

[2017SierraSLT]

I would look to the Airaid MIT, and a high flow dry filter in the OEM box. The box is not the issue in these trucks, its the joke of an intake tube. The Airaid MIT makes slightly more power, and is much cheaper.

[RaptorEater]

I don't understand what the tube does?

[j-ten-ner]

I don't understand what the tube does?

 

Wondering the same. Is it about the muffler?

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[kstruckcountry]

No the stock intake tube has a big silencer that hangs off of it... The AirAid tube replaces that and flows a little better, also sounds better under heavier throttle. It wouldn't surprise me if the AirAid tube actually lowered intake air temps, because the silencer is big and I could see it holding heat.

 

Tube, new filter, Magnaflow 22" muffler and tune has me very happy on my 2006.

[j-ten-ner]

No the stock intake tube has a big silencer that hangs off of it...

 

That's what I actually meant.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[intheburbs]

Unless you're doing it for the sound, a new intake is a waste of time and money. You're not going to see any power gains, and you may be doing more harm than good.

 

Most aftermarket intakes have a less restrictive filter media. I other words, they're not filtering as well, and larger particulates are being sucked into your engine. Do you really want that?

 

Spend your money on the exhaust, tune, and if you want to get really frisky, forced induction or a cam swap. Intakes are snake oil.

[kstruckcountry]

I'll bite. Most exhausts offer minimal gain, just like an intake. I would bet as long as the cats are still in place there is almost no gain with exhaust. Naturally headers are a different story. But there are some gains to be had with an intake. Bang for buck the AirAid is hard to beat. Gives a nice sound and you're getting rid of that (possibly) heat holding silencer.

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/145676-bbp-independent-intake-test-results/

 

And yes many filters filter less (K&N). But some synthetic filters (like the AFE synthetic I have) are oil free and filter just as well as paper.

[2017SierraSLT]

10 rear wheel hp gain is certainly snake oil...

[RaptorEater]

Thanks for the link on the intake comparison test! Was very helpful.

 

My next question is kind of a confusing one but I'm going to do the best I can to explain it.

 

If I happen to do more mods down the road other than the intake (headers, tune, cam) will I then get more power gains from the intake or vice versa. For instance will I get more power gains from the headers with the combination of an intake due to the engine breathing better on both ends?

 

Thanks for bearing with me guys!

[chupe442]

CIA is the cheap easy start point that we all seem to gravitate to (with argument if it does any good over stock...) Its the front line of what the engine requires to react.. Needs air to mix with fuel to make HP.

 

For you and that 6.2, it is gonna scream with CIA, headers/complete exhaust, and a tune....

[RaptorEater]

I went ahead and just ordered the complete Volant intake system. It was only 100$ more than going with the AirRaid Tube and looks a lot cooler lol

[2017SierraSLT]

I would also consider using a catch can. The Elite E2, RX and a few others are effective and highly respected around here..

 

I went with the Elite, and couldn't be happier...

 

[90w7]

I think right off the bat a tuner like Diablo sport trinity or something along those lines will give you some more power and reduce torque management.

 

What's your rear end ratio? 3.42? A bit lower gears will put you in your seat.

 

I'm not against a high end 1000 dollar tuned exhaust systems but personally I'm more into the sound than paying big bucks for an extra few HP that I won't notice. With that being said, if you did a complete intake to exhaust with long tubes, cam and a tune then the system as a whole will yield good noticeable results.

 

I went out and bought mandrel bend pieces, a flowmaster super 10 and had a shop weld it up and dump it in front of the rear axle. Wasn't expensive and it sounds sick.