4.8 needs more power

CJANDDAVE · May 16, 2005

Hi Guys i changed from a 3500lb boat to a 5800lb boat that i pull every other week during the summer, and i am looking to increase my rigs power and still be ca smog legal. And not destroy my engine, any one have any ideas other than getting a new truck i am at 37k miles on my truck.

Thank for any feedback

Thats gross for boat & trailer

ril850 · May 16, 2005

I would buy some sort of programmer, intake, and exhaust and you should be in a lot better shape. With the price of gas nowadays I would not go with a bigger engine.

CJANDDAVE · May 16, 2005

I would buy some sort of programmer, intake, and exhaust and you should be in a lot better shape. With the price of gas nowadays I would not go with a bigger engine.

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I have done all that if you look at my sig you will see my current setup, I like that i get around 15 1/2 mpg towing but the hills kill me. Thanks

mmmikkke · May 16, 2005

Dave.....Dave....This is your conscience talking...

Buy the new truck. Buy the new truck.

2006 Sky Blue CC 2500HD with 8.1L and the Allison 5-spd trans...

MS3DALE · May 16, 2005

Dave.....Dave....This is your conscience talking...

Buy the new truck. Buy the new truck.

2006 Sky Blue CC 2500HD with 8.1L and the Allison 5-spd trans...

MS3DALE · May 16, 2005

Thats the problem with the 4.8,even though it only has 10 less hp than the 5.3,it has 35 less ft.lb. of torque than the 5.3 and you notice it on the low end power,I wouldn't know personally because I don't tow anything,but I've been told that numerous times by those that do that there is a big difference between the 4.8 and 5.3 as far as low end power is concerned when towing.

Have you maybe considered going down to 33's? I realize it might not look to great with a 7' lift but it might help,or going from your 4.56's to 4.10's? I would say thats where your losing a lot of power. Just a thought though,I'm not too good with all that gear and tire size changing,never done it to any of my trucks.

MrQuadrasteer · May 16, 2005

Get rid of the predator and get a real tune- A WESTER'S !!!!!!!!

You'll notice the difference, without a doubt

Man, you'd think with the 4.56's that bottom end wouldn't be too bad, but like it's been said-

THERE'S NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT !!!!!

CJANDDAVE · May 16, 2005

Get rid of the predator and get a real tune- A WESTER'S !!!!!!!!

You'll notice the difference, without a doubt

Man, you'd think with the 4.56's that bottom end wouldn't be too bad, but like it's been said-

THERE'S NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT !!!!!

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Has any put on a Procharger supercharger on a 4.8, or will that kill my engine it has a slight piston slap so i talked gm in giving me a 100k engine warranty. Would the supercharger make it worse. Thanks

MrQuadrasteer · May 17, 2005

Well, all reports indicate the slap is an annoyance, but really hasn't shown to be detrimental to overall engine life or durability.

There's lots of guys running huffers and turbos on all of the LSx motors, so I'd have to say, if it was done right, just a few pounds of boost, nuthin' apesh!t or anything, I'm sure it'd be okay. Maybe 80~110hp ??

Go over to LS1Tech and check out their truck section. They have some hardcore trucks over there !!!

Frank S · May 17, 2005

I'll keep my Predator because they can do the same job for less money as long as you know where to look for the programmer, plus you can remove the program for warranty work and not fear about the stealership reflashing your PCM.

Anyway, yeah. Running 35" tires on a 4.8 powered truck with 4.56 gears is a bare minimum IMO. You'd be better off with 4.88's if you're going to tow and be in hills. Other than that you'd do good to check into a forced induction set up or a larger displacement swap with a build up.

CJANDDAVE · May 17, 2005

I'll keep my Predator because they can do the same job for less money as long as you know where to look for the programmer, plus you can remove the program for warranty work and not fear about the stealership reflashing your PCM.

Anyway, yeah. Running 35" tires on a 4.8 powered truck with 4.56 gears is a bare minimum IMO. You'd be better off with 4.88's if you're going to tow and be in hills. Other than that you'd do good to check into a forced induction set up or a larger displacement swap with a build up.

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Thanks do you know some one as far as the programmer, i am just using the stock predator tune.Would 4.88 be alright for daily driver on flat land.And what do you think of charger vs 5.3 crank & pistons swap. I have a 100k warranty on the motor with a piston slap so i am kinda iffy on forced induction unless i want right off the warranty, do you think dollar wise a 5.3 crank & pistons swap and 4.88's + a good tune would make it worth it or just push it till it blows.

01 chevy · May 17, 2005

get a 5.3 or 6.0. 6.0 u would think a 6.0 would be tougher to swap in but its gunna be better for towing

Frank S · May 17, 2005

I'll keep my Predator because they can do the same job for less money as long as you know where to look for the programmer, plus you can remove the program for warranty work and not fear about the stealership reflashing your PCM.

Anyway, yeah. Running 35" tires on a 4.8 powered truck with 4.56 gears is a bare minimum IMO. You'd be better off with 4.88's if you're going to tow and be in hills. Other than that you'd do good to check into a forced induction set up or a larger displacement swap with a build up.

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Thanks do you know some one as far as the programmer, i am just using the stock predator tune.Would 4.88 be alright for daily driver on flat land.And what do you think of charger vs 5.3 crank & pistons swap. I have a 100k warranty on the motor with a piston slap so i am kinda iffy on forced induction unless i want right off the warranty, do you think dollar wise a 5.3 crank & pistons swap and 4.88's + a good tune would make it worth it or just push it till it blows.

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You can mess with some of the settings yourself or you can pay like $100 for Diablosport to write a custom program for it. I don't know how much you paid for yours, I got mine new for $310 shipped, but when you add the 2 components needed ($40) and the cost of the tune ($100, I think), it comes out to $450 which was over $100 less than I could get a Westers tune for my truck. I can also remove the tune for warranty work so that was a plus in my book.

If you just switch to 4.88's you'd notice a serious difference. The 4.8 wasn't really meant for much towing, it's the economy V8 of the group so without some major mods it'll be hard to get it to perform the way you'd like for it.

Personally I'd use it for as long as possible without towning much and then swap in a 6.0 but that may just be me.

MrQuadrasteer · May 17, 2005

Hmm... $450 for a handheld, less than $500 for a custom tune that you'll NEVER outgrow.....

But... to each their own. I'm glad the Diablo works good for ya

Frank S · May 17, 2005

Hmm... $450 for a handheld, less than $500 for a custom tune that you'll NEVER outgrow.....

But... to each their own. I'm glad the Diablo works good for ya

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Ahh but keep in mind, that $450 is if I buy the parts to transfer data to and from my computer and pay them for a custom tune. Besides, when I bought this the Wester's tunes were still $550+ for the 04's and I believe that's when they were on sale.

Not knocking them because I know full well they are a quality product, too many good things written about them to think otherwise, but I just like the convinience of being able to remove it if necessary, especially seeing as how I have a 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. Just trying to look ahead a little but definitely to each his own. I'd buy a custom PCM before going to a different handheld because the others don't seem to be as expandable.