Engine Power/performance/efficiency Upgrades...

[Black2007Betty]

My 2007 GMC Sierra Z71 has a 5.3L engine with about 54k miles. I have a 6" suspension lift, with 35" BFG MT's. I've only added a K&N, Flowmaster, and a throttle body spacer. I want to improve my engine's efficiency and performance and power, because I feel like it's working hard moving the 35's. I was thinking about adding headers, and I've heard a lot of good things about tuning.

 

What do you guys think?

 

Thanks.

[[email protected]]

Tune/programmer is definitely the best performance mod I've done to my truck.......thus far, atleast.

[Black2007Betty]

Thanks. Would you recommend a specific type/brand?

[Stevens03]

Depending on what gears you have, a gear swap could be a huge improvement

[Black2007Betty]

Depending on what gears you have, a gear swap could be a huge improvement

 

Wow. I'm kind of new at this. I need to find out what my truck's specs are. Thanks.

[brad519]

I don't have one YET but most everyone on this board will tell you Blackbear Tune is the Tune to get. Don't waste your money on a programmer. I have a programmer and plan on getting a BB Tune soon.

[brad519]

Depending on what gears you have, a gear swap could be a huge improvement

 

Wow. I'm kind of new at this. I need to find out what my truck's specs are. Thanks.

 

 

 

I have an 08 5.3 4 speed and mine came with the 3.73 gears. I'm also running 35's and I swapped out to 4.88 gears and it pulls the 35's great. A gear swap isn't cheap though.

[Black2007Betty]

I don't have one YET but most everyone on this board will tell you Blackbear Tune is the Tune to get. Don't waste your money on a programmer. I have a programmer and plan on getting a BB Tune soon.

 

Yeah, that's the one thats been popping up in a lot of posts. I'll have to look into it, more. Thanks man.

 

Headers? Waste of money?

[Black2007Betty]

Depending on what gears you have, a gear swap could be a huge improvement

 

Wow. I'm kind of new at this. I need to find out what my truck's specs are. Thanks.

 

 

 

I have an 08 5.3 4 speed and mine came with the 3.73 gears. I'm also running 35's and I swapped out to 4.88 gears and it pulls the 35's great. A gear swap isn't cheap though.

 

 

Yeah, it doesn't sound cheap. How much am I looking at?

[Matt_]

A gear swap isn't cheap though.

 

Although a gear swap is definitely not cheap... the benefits usually far outweight the costs.

 

First and foremost, running 35s and a high gear put a lot of strain on the 4spd trans. Spending $1200-$1500 for gears will relieve a lot of stress on the trans and likely prevent premature/repetitive failure.

 

Adding "power" mods only make the stress on the trans worse. You really need to get the truck geared properly and then focus on power/performance IMO.

[Black2007Betty]

A gear swap isn't cheap though.

 

Although a gear swap is definitely not cheap... the benefits usually far outweight the costs.

 

First and foremost, running 35s and a high gear put a lot of strain on the 4spd trans. Spending $1200-$1500 for gears will relieve a lot of stress on the trans and likely prevent premature/repetitive failure.

 

Adding "power" mods only make the stress on the trans worse. You really need to get the truck geared properly and then focus on power/performance IMO.

 

 

Thanks man, that makes sense. Damn, there's a lot to consider. Haha. I'm pretty sure I have factory gears.

[brad519]

I paid 1086.00 for the front & rear gears (Yukon 4.88)w/ master install kit and a Eaton True Trac.

Installation was right at 700.00.

 

And Matt knows his stuff so listen to him when he puts his .02 in the message

[Black2007Betty]

I paid 1086.00 for the front & rear gears (Yukon 4.88)w/ master install kit and a Eaton True Trac.

Installation was right at 700.00.

 

And Matt knows his stuff so listen to him when he puts his .02 in the message

 

Hahaha. I'll remember that. I need to add Matt as a friend. I gotta find out where I can get this done in my area. Thanks a lot, guys.

[Matt_]

Thanks man, that makes sense. Damn, there's a lot to consider. Haha. I'm pretty sure I have factory gears.

 

No problem. You're in the right place, we'll definitely help get you squared away.

 

Just one warning though... you're new here and you have a nice/lifted truck, but I see that you haven't posted any pics yet. That's a big "no no" here. So post up some pics or we'll be a lot slower to respond to your questions!

[Black2007Betty]

Thanks man, that makes sense. Damn, there's a lot to consider. Haha. I'm pretty sure I have factory gears.

 

No problem. You're in the right place, we'll definitely help get you squared away.

 

Just one warning though... you're new here and you have a nice/lifted truck, but I see that you haven't posted any pics yet. That's a big "no no" here. So post up some pics or we'll be a lot slower to respond to your questions!

 

 

Hahaha. Yeah, definitely. I'll post some as soon as the sun comes up.