Looking For Suggestions,combinations, For Hp Increase

andy.schmid · August 4, 2009

So I recently got a new GMC 2009 Crew CAB.

It has the 5.3 315HP engine with active fuel management and 6SP transmission.

I'm looking for idea's for adding a little bit of power to it right now

My thoughts initially are

Performance air filter, cold air intake, bigger throttle body, Performance muffler and/or CAT, possibly headers, and a chip/tune after all thats added.

My guess would be an increase of 30-40hp if I did all of that.

My question is, has anyone does all these? What brands/combo's do you gearheads recommend out there?

Am I close on a HP gain estimate?

Is there anything else I can do without pulling apart the motor?

Thanks.

Jennabear · August 5, 2009

Stage one: intake, exhaust, tune

Stage two: cam, headers, efans

Stage three: blower, tranny, gears

alwcurlz · August 5, 2009

So I recently got a new GMC 2009 Crew CAB.

It has the 5.3 315HP engine with active fuel management and 6SP transmission.

I'm looking for idea's for adding a little bit of power to it right now

My thoughts initially are

Performance air filter, cold air intake, bigger throttle body, Performance muffler and/or CAT, possibly headers, and a chip/tune after all thats added.

My guess would be an increase of 30-40hp if I did all of that.

My question is, has anyone does all these? What brands/combo's do you gearheads recommend out there?

Am I close on a HP gain estimate?

Is there anything else I can do without pulling apart the motor?

Thanks.

I havn't had the experience in the GMT900 series you have but, I've read that getting a tune and disabling features like the fuel management are ways to help with performance. Depending on where you're at, you can get a Black Bear tune done locally. I've no experience in the BB tune but, have heard a lot of good about it! There are a few guys here that can help with the bolt ons you want or need. But, in any event, the best first move would be to get a tune first!

WilliamBos · August 5, 2009

Stage one: intake, exhaust, tune
Stage two: cam, headers, efans

Stage three: blower, tranny, gears

Why are efans considered an upgrade?? For the peace of mind, I would keep the stock mechanical fan. If you need the few extra HP that bad, look at other ways of finding it.

But then I also feel the same way about headers, not worth what you get from them.

JMHO.

alwcurlz · August 5, 2009

Stage one: intake, exhaust, tune
Stage two: cam, headers, efans

Stage three: blower, tranny, gears

Why are efans considered an upgrade?? For the peace of mind, I would keep the stock mechanical fan. If you need the few extra HP that bad, look at other ways of finding it.

But then I also feel the same way about headers, not worth what you get from them.

JMHO.

Yeah, that's true. Too many times we forget the old school methods don't help when our modern engines are computer designed and controlled, and tuned for the stock components. Computer tunes are the most common lowest cost to customizing performance. The kind of bolt on upgrades that could be done for these new engines would be things like improved injectors, spark plugs, sensors, etc. But, before doing a tune of course.

I've considered setting up electric fans because of the noise of the clutch fan and possible FE gain.

Jameson · August 5, 2009

Stage one: intake, exhaust, tune
Stage two: cam, headers, efans

Stage three: blower, tranny, gears

Jenna's answer

Intake, Exhaust, Blackbear Tune...the L/T Headers, Cam, gears/true trac. NNBS alrady have Efans though.

andy.schmid · August 5, 2009

Stage one: intake, exhaust, tune
Stage two: cam, headers, efans

Stage three: blower, tranny, gears

Jenna's answer

Intake, Exhaust, Blackbear Tune...the L/T Headers, Cam, gears/true trac. NNBS alrady have Efans though.

THanks guys, but I was kinda looking for more specifics.

Isn't there any vendors who post here offering parts?

Who makes some good cold air intakes? exhaust?

Jameson · August 5, 2009

Stage one: intake, exhaust, tune
Stage two: cam, headers, efans

Stage three: blower, tranny, gears

Jenna's answer

Intake, Exhaust, Blackbear Tune...the L/T Headers, Cam, gears/true trac. NNBS alrady have Efans though.

THanks guys, but I was kinda looking for more specifics.

Isn't there any vendors who post here offering parts?

Who makes some good cold air intakes? exhaust?

As far as intakes go, really the best price you can find as they all do the same thing. I went Volant because I got a killer deal on it.

Exhaust, being that the NNBS trucks already run a 2.75" pipe, Id just replace the muffler with a free flowing one. I like my Cherry Bomb Extreme BTW. Now if you with a set of L/T Headers, you can keep or remove the cats and net some more power. However, the best bang for your buck mod is going to be a custom tune from Blackbear Performance. Contact JennaBear and get more details. I LOVE MINE!

andy.schmid · August 5, 2009

Stage one: intake, exhaust, tune
Stage two: cam, headers, efans

Stage three: blower, tranny, gears

Jenna's answer

Intake, Exhaust, Blackbear Tune...the L/T Headers, Cam, gears/true trac. NNBS alrady have Efans though.

THanks guys, but I was kinda looking for more specifics.

Isn't there any vendors who post here offering parts?

Who makes some good cold air intakes? exhaust?

As far as intakes go, really the best price you can find as they all do the same thing. I went Volant because I got a killer deal on it.

Exhaust, being that the NNBS trucks already run a 2.75" pipe, Id just replace the muffler with a free flowing one. I like my Cherry Bomb Extreme BTW. Now if you with a set of L/T Headers, you can keep or remove the cats and net some more power. However, the best bang for your buck mod is going to be a custom tune from Blackbear Performance. Contact JennaBear and get more details. I LOVE MINE!

Cool, the volant CAI kit looks very good. I think I will go with that.

Has anyone worked with the GMPP Catback performance exhaust?? I can't find a part number for it anywhere.

I heard it on a video on youtube and its definitely the sound I'd like.

Jameson · August 5, 2009

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=100033

youre welcome

andy.schmid · August 5, 2009

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=100033

youre welcome

Thanks. Looks like it doesn't fit the 09' yet, but I'll keep my eye out.

Jameson · August 5, 2009

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=100033

youre welcome

Thanks. Looks like it doesn't fit the 09' yet, but I'll keep my eye out.

i dont see why not

Spurshot · August 6, 2009

Stage one: intake, exhaust, tune
Stage two: cam, headers, efans

Stage three: blower, tranny, gears

Why are efans considered an upgrade?? For the peace of mind, I would keep the stock mechanical fan. If you need the few extra HP that bad, look at other ways of finding it.

But then I also feel the same way about headers, not worth what you get from them.

JMHO.

Yeah, that's true. Too many times we forget the old school methods don't help when our modern engines are computer designed and controlled, and tuned for the stock components. Computer tunes are the most common lowest cost to customizing performance. The kind of bolt on upgrades that could be done for these new engines would be things like improved injectors, spark plugs, sensors, etc. But, before doing a tune of course.

I've considered setting up electric fans because of the noise of the clutch fan and possible FE gain.

Engines is still engines. The more air you can pump thru it, the more horsepower you have the potential of making. Assuming you have adequate fuel, spark lead, and ignition (a good tune), getting the engine to flow more air in a given amount of time is the only way I know to get more horsepower that I'm aware of unless physics have changed. How you do that can be many different ways, more rpm (only if the engine can flow enough air), and/or better flowing intake/exhaust. Nearly all the mods are focused on better intake/exhaust flow. That includes cams, bigger valves, porting, supercharging, headers, air boxes/filters, etc.. If rpm stays the same, only an increase in BMEP can increase horsepower. All the mods that increase airflow will allow an increase in BMEP. But this is all old school. I say go with what Jenna suggested. You really don't need to know why it works.

ShoddyHog · August 8, 2009

Engines is still engines. The more air you can pump thru it, the more horsepower you have the potential of making. Assuming you have adequate fuel, spark lead, and ignition (a good tune), getting the engine to flow more air in a given amount of time is the only way I know to get more horsepower that I'm aware of unless physics have changed. How you do that can be many different ways, more rpm (only if the engine can flow enough air), and/or better flowing intake/exhaust. Nearly all the mods are focused on better intake/exhaust flow. That includes cams, bigger valves, porting, supercharging, headers, air boxes/filters, etc.. If rpm stays the same, only an increase in BMEP can increase horsepower. All the mods that increase airflow will allow an increase in BMEP. But this is all old school. I say go with what Jenna suggested. You really don't need to know why it works.

What's BMEP? What you just described almost sounds like what I know as Volumetric Efficiency. At least that's what I remember from studying for my A&P.

Spurshot · August 8, 2009

Engines is still engines. The more air you can pump thru it, the more horsepower you have the potential of making. Assuming you have adequate fuel, spark lead, and ignition (a good tune), getting the engine to flow more air in a given amount of time is the only way I know to get more horsepower that I'm aware of unless physics have changed. How you do that can be many different ways, more rpm (only if the engine can flow enough air), and/or better flowing intake/exhaust. Nearly all the mods are focused on better intake/exhaust flow. That includes cams, bigger valves, porting, supercharging, headers, air boxes/filters, etc.. If rpm stays the same, only an increase in BMEP can increase horsepower. All the mods that increase airflow will allow an increase in BMEP. But this is all old school. I say go with what Jenna suggested. You really don't need to know why it works.

What's BMEP? What you just described almost sounds like what I know as Volumetric Efficiency. At least that's what I remember from studying for my A&P.

Gerry,

"The definition of BMEP is: the average (mean) pressure which, if imposed on the pistons uniformly from the top to the bottom of each power stroke, would produce the measured (brake) power output." http://www.epi-eng.com/piston_engine_techn...e_yardstick.htm

It's a (one) measurement that you can use to compare one engine's efficiency to another, regardless of size.

Volumetric efficiency is the measurement of the amount of air an engine flows compared to it's displacement. It's usually for comparing at max horsepower rpm, throttle, etc. If a 100 cu/in engine can only suck in 80 cu/in of air during a full cycle, it would be 80% efficient compared to its volume (100 cu/in). Direct comparisons of one engine's VE to another can be made if both are subject to the same inlet pressure, i.e. 29.92 standard day pressure or both supercharged to same pressure.