My Tahoe LS Build...next steps

[Franjimo24]

Wanted to show off a bit of my LS build. This has not been a complicated build nor a expensive one. This is the family hauler and the grocery getter, nevertheless, by my standards it needs to be fun to drive look good while at it.

 

Overall I’ve been very happy with the SUV since day one although there a some things that I knew had to be changed.

 

Engine Mods

 

First thing is the acceleration...I’ve had the Tahoe with a Trifecta tune since May last year. Very happy with it since it improves the ECU, TCU and even the ABS to hold back the nannies...not that I would need that last bit unless I track it (which I wont). I even asked Trifecta to increase the idle rpm by 50 since the Tahoe was having the shakies on a stand still and it eliminated the issue.

 

I paired the tune with a AFE CAI, that really opened up the engine quite a bit plus the sound coming from the intake is amazing. Even with the tune and CAI the truck felt a bit sluggish during part throttle and mid range power, it was better don’t get me wrong but I still had to almost floor it to even have it to shift down. Thats when I went a bit further into porting and polishing the TB. Upon doing that I noticed there is a big step in the TB right before the valve opening, that step is there to decrease the air speed coming in and keep fuel economy up. Once I eliminated that and polished the TB opening into a continuous surface the throttle characteristics of the truck changed a lot. This by far has been one of the best mods to date and it only cost me $40 for the grinding stones. The throttle responds more like a car and less like a tow truck. The kick-down is now actually responsive, finally.

 

 

Interior Mods

 

The LS radio sucks big time so I ended up installing a Pioneer touch screen with Carplay. Pretty happy since it cost me all about $500 with specials and that included all the interface harnesses to keep the steering wheel controls and Onstar. With the elimination of the OE radio I now had a big hole where the radio controls used to be so I went ahead and designed a lid with the chevy logo on it and had it 3D printed. Very happy with how it looks, almost like a stock part I’d say.

 

 

Exterior Mods

 

Started out by purchasing a set of 22 GMC style rims paired with a set of Goodyear Eagle AS tires. Next goal was to make the truck stand out from the rest so after visiting the Chevy dealer and seeing the RST models l decided that painting the grille was the best mod for me. I didn’t want to keep the LS grille so I ended up getting a very good deal on Ebay from a guy selling a LTZ grille that had been scrapped by another car at the parking lot. Ended up painting it with Dupont base and clear on top of Epoxy primer for a quality pro finish that will last.

 

Next Im thinking of installing a set of fog lights and swapping the headlight bulbs with LEDs.

 

 

Im very pleased with the results so far...looks sharp and its very fun to drive. Next I am looking into improving the exhaust, suspension and brakes. The exhaust is a tricky one cause the wife uses the truck most of the time so I don’t want a muscle car rumble unless I am using it so I am think of installing a cut out paired with a set of long headers. I plan to keep the catback stock so I can keep that stock tone when the wife is hauling the kids.

 

As for the brakes I will focus on using better brake fluid, thinking about using the silicone type but not sure yet. Stainless steel lines and a improved set of rotors/pads is in the plan.

 

Suspension?? Still thinking about the options. The least expensive is to use the PPV coils and struts, but not sure if that would make the ride too stiff. I also would love to lower it by around 1.5” inches but that would require more components and more $$$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Franjimo24]

Updated...had some trouble posting at first


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[cmatt]

Nice job. I like the look. Have you thought about putting on Escalade side mirrors? The mirror surface area is much better.




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[Franjimo24]

Thanks, as a matter of fact I’ve thought about it but wasn’t sure about how it would look with the chrome strip. After looking at your pics I guess I can black it out..it looks very nice.


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[cmatt]

That silver accent piece is removable. You can get to it with the mirror caps off.

 

I can help you with the wiring for the puddle lamps, turn signals, power fold, etc. I make a harness that gets those circuits to the doors and in the door harness if needed.

 

I can also make a fog light harness that will allow you to activate them with the correct factory headlight switch.

 

PM me if you’re interested.

 

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