2.25” lift and Borla Atak w/ Carbon Fiber tips

[Sierra50BMG]

 

heres the sound clip from cold start, phone recorded just inside the garage

[Sierra50BMG]

Second impressions:

 

Exhaust is awesome. Drove to the dealer and turned heads, the guy that sold it to me was like it’s a totally different truck now. DFM isn’t noticeable over 60 it is around town. Cruising at interstate speeds didn’t notice the exhaust without stepping on it, actually found myself not thinking about it at all after 20 miles, more noise from the cross wind than anything. The 10 speed makes all the difference in the newer trucks, the 6 I had in my 15 had an annoying drone at almost all speeds. 
 

Suspension

 

drove 15 miles down a dirt/gravel road that’s got some good ruts and dips and moguls, reacted very well to everything, miles ahead of stock when it comes to all the little bumps, you still feel it but so much better, at higher speeds it handled very well. The rear end wanted to bounce a bit on the bumpy stuff, but I think that has to do with the springs, I think it just needs some weight and it will handle better. Definitely going to raise the front a 1/2” more. That’s all I can do with the spring I have. Apparently there’s different springs that will allow for different height so I recommend calling ahead before you order. As far as resis go if you plan on rallying off-road at continuous high speeds, get them. Icon recommends servicing every 15k if they’re used mainly for dirt. Daily street is 40k. So depending how you use and abuse your suspension will determine the life span before rebuilds. The UCA delta joint is closer to the tire but the arms themselves are angled away. So a 0 offset or spacer is needed for larger tires. My 275/60/20 is 1/8” away from the joint.

once I drop to 18s I’ll post an update.

[topgear1224]

If you’re doing that for over an hour I could see the need for resis. I’ll drive it this weekend and let you know what I think, not planning on anything like that, out here we got tons of deer and crap that like to hide so speeding on back roads isn’t advised.

Road spped limit is 55 on the dirt. Most of the animals avoid the haul road. It's extremely wide road. 4-5 normal lanes. Operates as a 2 lane. During mating season animals become a little bit more of a problem. Once you get above the tree line, you can spot them miles out.

I just use it as a benchmark, if it can preform well up there, it will meet all my needs.

it's 500 miles each way. 2 days round trip.

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[Sierra50BMG]

1 minute ago, topgear1224 said:

Road spped limit is 55 on the dirt. Most of the animals avoid the haul road. It's extremely wide road. 4-5 normal lanes. Operates as a 2 lane. During mating season animals become a little bit more of a problem. Once you get above the tree line, you can spot them miles out.

I just use it as a benchmark, if it can preform well up there, it will meet all my needs.

it's 500 miles each way. 2 days round trip.

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I think you’ll be happy with it, probably wouldn’t hurt to get the reservoirs. 

[topgear1224]

I think you’ll be happy with it, probably wouldn’t hurt to get the reservoirs. 

Are UCAs worth it? Filthy Motorsports recommends them for "racing". I know the non bushing ones will transmit more shock load to the bolts, vs the bushings.

I plan on running the OEM wheels and tires (since they say a 6 inch is needed for 35s on GMC) don't really want to trim as the stuff slung on the roads up here is straight up NASTY!

Here she is flexing a bit at the start of the road, and near Valdez.

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[Sierra50BMG]

2 minutes ago, topgear1224 said:

Are UCAs worth it? Filthy Motorsports recommends them for "racing". I know the non bushing ones will transmit more shock load to the bolts, vs the bushings.

I plan on running the OEM wheels and tires (since they say a 6 inch is needed for 35s on GMC) don't really want to trim as the stuff slung on the roads up here is straight up NASTY!

Here she is flexing a bit at the start of the road, and near Valdez.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
 

Good looking truck. UCAs definitely help, there is a droop stop on the frame or housing that they recommend cutting off if you really want the extra travel. I left mine alone and after today I checked it and it never made contact. I mean if you’re gonna do the kit you might as well do the UCA. That’s the way I looked at it. The stock ones don’t have a correct angle when lifted. I would say If you don’t plan on pounding your truck and smashing off road, don’t go billet UCAs,  Just get the tubular. If it’s worth utilizing the extra travel to you and having a correct angle, get them. If you’re mostly just running mild dirt road and staying under 2.25” lift, don’t worry about it. 

[Sierra50BMG]

Just got off the phone with icon and the adjustment ratio is about 2:1, and the coil overs come set with about a 2” lift. 1/2” adjustment would be about a 1” lift.

 

And somehow they recommend a 17” wheel. Dealer test fitted an 18 and said it barely fit. I have the NHT package but I’m not aware that the brake calipers are any different. 
 

But specs are 17x8.5 4.75 backspace. Same in an 18, 19, etc for bigger tires.

[topgear1224]

Just got off the phone with icon and the adjustment ratio is about 2:1, and the coil overs come set with about a 2” lift. 1/2” adjustment would be about a 1” lift.
 
And somehow they recommend a 17” wheel. Dealer test fitted an 18 and said it barely fit. I have the NHT package but I’m not aware that the brake calipers are any different. 
 
But specs are 17x8.5 4.75 backspace. Same in an 18, 19, etc for bigger tires.

Hmmm... Ya unless you bought the brembo 6 piston set, they all are 4 piston.

I believe 2019's have the strengthening hump on the front of the caliper. My 2020 doesn't have it.

One big thing is that if you have OEM 20", or 22" your alignment setting is different vs 17" and 18". Suppose that could make a difference.

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[beefin06]

9 hours ago, Sierra50BMG said:

Ok. So first impressions. Exhaust is loud. Cold started in the garage this morning and it made me jump a little lol. Don’t get me wrong I love it. But I’m sure my neighbors don’t lol. I’ll have a video of it outside the garage in a bit. This is the 6.2. The 5.3 Atak is still loud but has a raspier tone imo. The 6.2 has a loud roar at start up and turns into a growl that goes back to a roar with some throttle.
 

Suspension

I haven’t driven it much since I picked it up. I plan on running Interstate and around town, some mild off-road today too, down a bumpy dirt road with some dips and cattle guards. What I felt so far is amazing. Front doesn’t jump up and the extra travel is awesome compared to the NHT setup. The ride is still pretty stiff but forgiving when it matters. Which is exactly what I wanted. The rear stealth shocks feel really good. Doesn’t bounce in the roundabouts anymore and feels like it could handle a load just fine. I will have more updates this evening once I’ve spent some time behind the wheel. Also going to take it to an off-road shop to see if can get some measurements for wheel and tire combos. The icon UCAs are closer than the stock so spacers will be needed or a different offset. It clears now with stock 20s and 275/60 trail runners from the factory.

@Sierra50BMG Where have you seen an Atak exhaust for the 5.3?!

[Sierra50BMG]

1 minute ago, beefin06 said:

@Sierra50BMG Where have you seen an Atak exhaust for the 5.3?!

I got mine for my 2015 5.3 from 4 wheel parts. I had the dual rear exit polished tips. But I also did headers and Intake and air filter with an aggressive tune and it sounded pretty good. I could make the tires squeal at 65mph on the freeway. I believe they are available for the 5.3 on these trucks....

[Sierra50BMG]

@beefin06 https://www.borla.com/gmc/sierra/2019-2020-gmc-sierra-exhaust-systems/

[beefin06]

4 minutes ago, Sierra50BMG said:

@beefin06 https://www.borla.com/gmc/sierra/2019-2020-gmc-sierra-exhaust-systems/

Thanks for the reply! Per that link, it looks like the max "volume" model is the S-Type for the 2019+ 5.3. I thought for a minute you knew something that I didn't!

[Sierra50BMG]

8 minutes ago, beefin06 said:

Thanks for the reply! Per that link, it looks like the max "volume" model is the S-Type for the 2019+ 5.3. I thought for a minute you knew something that I didn't!

 

Ah, I did not realize they haven’t made an Atak for the 5.3 on the 19/20s. Looking at the pics, the older ataks could work. All it is is the muffler and piping. Might have to use some ingenuity for hangers and the exits will be different. Might be better to just get the cheapest one and run the pipe to the bumper tips, cut it to fit. If one really wanted, as far as I know the tuning is the same except the DFM and AFM. If the truck has the single side exit, just get the single side exit system from 14-18 and plug it in. Gonna google that ******

[Sierra50BMG]

@beefin06 nvm the 14-18 have different piping after the muffler. Gotta level up and get the 6.2!

[beefin06]

3 minutes ago, Sierra50BMG said:

Ah, I did not realize they haven’t made an Atak for the 5.3 on the 19/20s. Looking at the pics, the older ataks could work. All it is is the muffler and piping. Might have to use some ingenuity for hangers and the exits will be different. Might be better to just get the cheapest one and run the pipe to the bumper tips, cut it to fit. If one really wanted, as far as I know the tuning is the same except the DFM and AFM. If the truck has the single side exit, just get the single side exit system from 14-18 and plug it in. Gonna google that ******

Yeah, I'm thinking of going one of two routes-

 

1. Go with the Corsa Sport catback
2. Get an XR-1 muffler from Borla and toy with the resonator screens on the tailpipes of the current exhaust

 

Not sure what I'll do yet. So we shall see! Thanks for letting me thread-jack for a moment. And now, back to your regularly scheduled programming...