Need more traction, open to suggestions

Robert Lorimer · January 6, 2023

Hey guys, new to the forum, but owned several gm trucks, boosted s10s to mild full size trucks, since early 2000s. I'm to the point where traction is scarce. The truck is a 14 Silverado 5.3 2wd. Owned since new.

Mods so far:

22x9 GM Snowflakes with 305/40/22 tires. Came with factory 20s.

4/7 drop

Hellwig rear sway bar

S&B Intake

MBRP Exhaust (still have cats)

Mild tune via local tuner (91+ octane)

Recently went to 4:10s with powertrax locker.

I'm getting ready to install my 2.9L Whipple (so the tune will be redone by my local guy). So hooking up won't happen on the 22x9's. I already spin well into 2nd gear.

Knowing I need more sidewall I'm thinking of running a 20x10 or even 18x10 in the rear for certain occasions...

Other than good sticky tires, is there something else I can do? I'd love to 4 link or tub, but it's not in cards right now. Never ran traction bars so I don't know how well they work. Just looking for ideas or proven and worthwhile options out there. Thanks for any and all advice.

CajunFries · January 6, 2023

8 hours ago, Robert Lorimer said:

Hey guys, new to the forum, but owned several gm trucks, boosted s10s to mild full size trucks, since early 2000s. I'm to the point where traction is scarce. The truck is a 14 Silverado 5.3 2wd. Owned since new.

Mods so far:

22x9 GM Snowflakes with 305/40/22 tires. Came with factory 20s.

4/7 drop

Hellwig rear sway bar

S&B Intake

MBRP Exhaust (still have cats)

Mild tune via local tuner (91+ octane)

Recently went to 4:10s with powertrax locker.

I'm getting ready to install my 2.9L Whipple (so the tune will be redone by my local guy). So hooking up won't happen on the 22x9's. I already spin well into 2nd gear.

Knowing I need more sidewall I'm thinking of running a 20x10 or even 18x10 in the rear for certain occasions...

Other than good sticky tires, is there something else I can do? I'd love to 4 link or tub, but it's not in cards right now. Never ran traction bars so I don't know how well they work. Just looking for ideas or proven and worthwhile options out there. Thanks for any and all advice.

1. Get some traction bars. VAS or CalTrac.
2. Nitto NT555R2 305/50/20 is what you’ll want if you wanna stay with 32” tall tires. Anything else will be around 28-29” tall.
3. 4.10 is gonna be a lot…. Especially with a blower. I’m running 3.42 and with the blower setup making about 600, 1st is ALWASY useless and 2nd was mostly spinning.
4. Get adjustable shocks. Something like Viking with a relocating brackets.

Goodluck.

Edited January 6, 2023 by CajunFries

Robert Lorimer · January 7, 2023

Traction bars, check! Thanks! By relocating brackets are you talking about shock extenders? If so I happen to run a set already. I'll definitely look into the shocks you're referring to. Do you that 305 tire on the factory 20x8 wheel? I want to swap back to my 20s in the winter months here in Illinois. They are in great shape. I might even start running them all year for the weight savings. Might even sell the 22s for more go fast parts.

Have you done any supporting trans mods? I swapped to amsoil and have the trans thermostat mod to go in. I really appreciate your help. What blower are you using and what size pulley do you run?

Again thanks a lot for your info! Very impressive number you're at. I hope to be around there as well.

CajunFries · January 7, 2023

3 hours ago, Robert Lorimer said:

Traction bars, check! Thanks! By relocating brackets are you talking about shock extenders? If so I happen to run a set already. I'll definitely look into the shocks you're referring to. Do you that 305 tire on the factory 20x8 wheel? I want to swap back to my 20s in the winter months here in Illinois. They are in great shape. I might even start running them all year for the weight savings. Might even sell the 22s for more go fast parts.

Have you done any supporting trans mods? I swapped to amsoil and have the trans thermostat mod to go in. I really appreciate your help. What blower are you using and what size pulley do you run?

Again thanks a lot for your info! Very impressive number you're at. I hope to be around there as well.

For shock relocation: https://atomicfabandperformance.com/product/rear-shock-kit/

I’m running 20x9.5 cosmis XT006R 20x8 is probably be way too skinny.

if you’re running 6L80, in factory form with a good tuner can make it hold 7-800hp. Just make sure to keep it cool. I’m still running just the simple ACDelco dex 6… nothing fancy. Just with a Trucool 40k and a pill flip on the thermostat. Never game me problem until I pushed it into the 800 then it started to slip in 4th. Now I’m running a circle D lvl 4 kit. if you still have the stock converter, I suggest you change it. CTSV OEM converter from a 6L90 is a good choice if you wanna stay with low stall. If you’re planning to do cam down the road, I suggest one somewhere in the 2800-3200 stall. You can run stage 2/3 with that kind of stall no problem.

I was running an Edelbrock 2300. Idk what size pulley I had on it. Made about 12.5psi with stock cam and a really good flowing 3.5 exhaust. I’ve now switched to a fully built 5.3 with S476 on 16psi making somewhere in the low 800 on a good day.

This is when I was running a blower setup:

Turbo setup: https://youtube.com/shorts/-ynKXgI6AIk?feature=share

Few more things:

Your HP limit is gonna be your fuel setup. You’ll need a 535LPH intank and LT4 injectors and HPFP at least to make any decent numbers on E. Or if you are not planning on running E and just straight 91, I would add a meth kit.

Also make sure your PCV system have a really good flow. Any positive pressure will blow out the rear main seal. Vent the valve covers to an atmosphere can catch with -10 hoses. And a catch can between the valley cover port and the intake tube.