Next Couple Of Mods...

lsuguy · March 2, 2010

So I thought I'd post what I plan on doing as far as my next couple of mods go to just get some idea from some of yall or some feedback. I think my very next mod that I will do will be exhaust. I've been looking at this for a long time a really trying to decide on what I want. Considering there aren't many videos of 4.8's with exhaust (or at least I couldn't find many) I based my decision off of what I could find and what was said in other threads. I'm 99% sure I will go with the Corsa Sport with the dual out. LINK. Here are the video's that helped me decide.

Vid 1,

Now with exhaust I'm also thinking of getting some JBA Headers. This is something I know nothing about. So if anyone can help me, what exactly do new headers help with and what do they do? The only reason I would get some is because of this video,

. I think compared to the second video it sounds much better. So what would be some recommendations as far as headers go?? I just want better sound but don't want to be obnoxiously loud. Want a growl to go with the look of my truck.

After those mods I plan on improving the aesthetics of my truck some more. I really like the Grillcraft MX Grille but there are times that I find myself really loving my front end the way it is. I'll also be swapping steering wheels for one with radio controls, replacing my 4 cluster gauge with the 6 cluster gauge, and way down the line a new new navigation system with viper alarm/2 way start.

Gear change may happen somewhere in there as well as a vette servo. But I don't feel I need that right now or at all maybe.

I'm sure I forgot something in there and along the way plans will change and mods will be added. I just got in colormatched door handles and mirror covers so those will hopefully go on this weekend or soon.

Sooo I guess after typing all that let me know what you guys think as far as everything. Good ideas? Bad ideas? Help me out with the header idea?

THANKS!

mhenshaw · March 2, 2010

I think you will be very happy with the exhaust. I don't know about the headers, unless they gain low end torque I wouldn't pay the money for them.

The steering wheel is easy to swap out and I would do it soon, you will use it all the time. I would replace your cluster for the Z71 appearance pkg.

http://www.usspeedo.com/view.php?id=319

I would do the vette servo soon too. You can't beat it for 20 bucks and its easy to do. The grille would look good on your truck, but I think you should get fog lights first.

lsuguy · March 2, 2010

I think you will be very happy with the exhaust. I don't know about the headers, unless they gain low end torque I wouldn't pay the money for them.
The steering wheel is easy to swap out and I would do it soon, you will use it all the time. I would replace your cluster for the Z71 appearance pkg.

http://www.usspeedo.com/view.php?id=319

I would do the vette servo soon too. You can't beat it for 20 bucks and its easy to do. The grille would look good on your truck, but I think you should get fog lights first.

Thanks man. That's the speedo I would put in. Love the carbon fiber. And I guess I forgot to put the fog lights at the top of my list. That is def something I will be doing.

sab316 · March 2, 2010

Same here... Fog lights are on my wish-list along with about 500000000000 other things for this summer

High Plains Drifter · March 2, 2010

I like this one:

SeirraRR · March 2, 2010

I like this one:

Which one are these from? I like them alot

elcompalaline · March 2, 2010

Nice plan, I had no idea you were running a 4.8L in your truck.

lsuguy · March 2, 2010

Nice plan, I had no idea you were running a 4.8L in your truck.

Yep it's a small one. Which is cool with me, I don't tow or haul, I don't have a 4x4 and don't go offroading (sometimes wish I did though), and don't plan on needing a bigger engine.

I also have like the 3.23 gears.. I think... which I know theres alot of threads out there about this but that's something else I don't understand. Should I regear or not? I figure it's not necessary but just one of those it would be nice kind of things.

hockeypro1411 · March 2, 2010

I'm not sure what kind of headers you're looking at from JBA, but here's a basic idea of what headers do... Headers are there to basically balance and optimize exhaust flow from the engine. They are there to open up the flow right from the motor. In the picture below (borrowed from Dan's 6.0 swap in the pickle) you can see some longtube headers compared to stock manifolds. Opinions on headers are like opinions on anything else; some love 'em, some don't think they do anything. The next argument comes with long vs. short tubes. The general consensus seems to be that the gains from shorties aren't worth the cost. However, longtube headers have been known to help low end power torque.

Your gearing issue: 3.23's aren't meant for towing. (Don't get me wrong, your truck is still a truck and can tow quite a bit). They're meant to turn low RPM's at cruising speeds. The numbers you hear getting thrown around (3.23, 3.73, 4.10, 4.88, etc...) are approximations for the number of times the driveshaft will spin to make the wheels turn one revolution. More revolutions = more mechanical advantage. Changing gears can increase the towing capabilities, "out of the hole" performance, and gain back performance that is lost with bigger tires. If you don't tow, haul, or race often, I'd say you'd be happiest with your current gear set-up. Saving gas is

Reference pic of headers...

nickvrebel · March 2, 2010

from actual experience with a 4.8L:

I had a 2003 with the 4.8L

The truck had Gibson Shorty Headers, Corsa Touring Catback, and was regeared.... so I might be able to give you a good idea of what you are looking at.

The Gibson Shorty Headers were a waste of time and money. A stock internal 4.8L can not push enough air to benefit. The same goes for Long Tube headers on a 4.8L, long tubes would in fact lower your torque output on the 4.8L which is the motor that needs it the most. I've installed long tubes on a 6.0L, but that 6.0L also had special heads and an nice lopey cam helping it pump some air.

I had the Corsa Touring Catback - you can't go wrong with a Corsa, they are pricey but there's a reason for the price. I don't have extensive experience with the Sport version, I had the Touring with side outlet twin Pro 4.0 tip. The touring was quiet at idle (similar to stock) and just barely louder than stock when cruising on the highway, however it sounded mean when you put your foot on the go pedal.

My old truck also went through a gear swap. I had an open differential 3.42 setup from the factory. I swapped in a Eaton LSD with 3.73's. I lost no gas mileage in town and gained take off speed. I lost about 1-1.5 mpg on the highway, but when towing the truck was much more at home.

Oh yeah, gauge cluster swaps (even though it was a GMT-800):

I swapped my stock gauge cluster for the Denali version, which has a subtle difference in appearance and added the transmission cooler.

That brings me to the next thing: if your oversized tires and the 4L60e you really should add a transmission cooler, you may not be towing but the transmission is laboring everyday turning those tires.

As for the grille, that's up to personal preference, on my old truck I had a billet insert that looked great, on my current truck I like the stock GMC SLT chrome setup and I'll leave it alone.

I see that you are local to me, if you have any questions, need to talk in person or need any assistance with your mods let me know.

Tdeaux45 · March 2, 2010

I'm a minimalist when it comes to mods so I would definitely go Fog Lights first then exhaust. Unless you have money to burn I wouldn't get headers, price to gain ratio is not that high. I can't decide if that grill would be worth it or not. I find grills look really good in internet ads and not so much in person. I've been thinking of doing my exhaust too, I just want to swap the muffler for something with a LITTLE bit more growl and a stainless tip. I don't even want duals, just a single. Modding your truck can be addictive, remember to K.I.S.S.

P.S. I live in B.R. think I saw your truck the other day, I was checkin it out

lsuguy · March 2, 2010

I'm not sure what kind of headers you're looking at from JBA, but here's a basic idea of what headers do... Headers are there to basically balance and optimize exhaust flow from the engine. They are there to open up the flow right from the motor. In the picture below (borrowed from Dan's 6.0 swap in the pickle) you can see some longtube headers compared to stock manifolds. Opinions on headers are like opinions on anything else; some love 'em, some don't think they do anything. The next argument comes with long vs. short tubes. The general consensus seems to be that the gains from shorties aren't worth the cost. However, longtube headers have been known to help low end power torque.

Your gearing issue: 3.23's aren't meant for towing. (Don't get me wrong, your truck is still a truck and can tow quite a bit). They're meant to turn low RPM's at cruising speeds. The numbers you hear getting thrown around (3.23, 3.73, 4.10, 4.88, etc...) are approximations for the number of times the driveshaft will spin to make the wheels turn one revolution. More revolutions = more mechanical advantage. Changing gears can increase the towing capabilities, "out of the hole" performance, and gain back performance that is lost with bigger tires. If you don't tow, haul, or race often, I'd say you'd be happiest with your current gear set-up. Saving gas is

from actual experience with a 4.8L:
I had a 2003 with the 4.8L

The truck had Gibson Shorty Headers, Corsa Touring Catback, and was regeared.... so I might be able to give you a good idea of what you are looking at.

The Gibson Shorty Headers were a waste of time and money. A stock internal 4.8L can not push enough air to benefit. The same goes for Long Tube headers on a 4.8L, long tubes would in fact lower your torque output on the 4.8L which is the motor that needs it the most. I've installed long tubes on a 6.0L, but that 6.0L also had special heads and an nice lopey cam helping it pump some air.

I had the Corsa Touring Catback - you can't go wrong with a Corsa, they are pricey but there's a reason for the price. I don't have extensive experience with the Sport version, I had the Touring with side outlet twin Pro 4.0 tip. The touring was quiet at idle (similar to stock) and just barely louder than stock when cruising on the highway, however it sounded mean when you put your foot on the go pedal.

My old truck also went through a gear swap. I had an open differential 3.42 setup from the factory. I swapped in a Eaton LSD with 3.73's. I lost no gas mileage in town and gained take off speed. I lost about 1-1.5 mpg on the highway, but when towing the truck was much more at home.

Oh yeah, gauge cluster swaps (even though it was a GMT-800):

I swapped my stock gauge cluster for the Denali version, which has a subtle difference in appearance and added the transmission cooler.

That brings me to the next thing: if your oversized tires and the 4L60e you really should add a transmission cooler, you may not be towing but the transmission is laboring everyday turning those tires.

As for the grille, that's up to personal preference, on my old truck I had a billet insert that looked great, on my current truck I like the stock GMC SLT chrome setup and I'll leave it alone.

I see that you are local to me, if you have any questions, need to talk in person or need any assistance with your mods let me know.

Thanks alot guys for all of the info. Now knowing that headers more than likely won't do much except possibly enhance sound I will not spend that kind of money on that. I didn't think I needed to regear and with yall lending some advice I think I'll leave that the way it is too. Main reason I'm going with corsa is because of its great reputation and quality. Everyone here who owns one loves it and I think I will too.

Nick thanks alot man. I'll let you know if I ever need anything. There are alot of users on here from Louisiana, mainly south LA. It would be cool to set up some kind of meet or something.

I'm a minimalist when it comes to mods so I would definitely go Fog Lights first then exhaust. Unless you have money to burn I wouldn't get headers, price to gain ratio is not that high. I can't decide if that grill would be worth it or not. I find grills look really good in internet ads and not so much in person. I've been thinking of doing my exhaust too, I just want to swap the muffler for something with a LITTLE bit more growl and a stainless tip. I don't even want duals, just a single. Modding your truck can be addictive, remember to K.I.S.S.

P.S. I live in B.R. think I saw your truck the other day, I was checkin it out

Thanks alot man. Where did you see it? Everytime I see another GM on the road with some sort of customization I wonder if they are a member on here. I'll keep an eye out for yours.