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Engine & Transmission Upgrades For Towing

Tage

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Tage Enthusiast

Tage

Posted
Posted

While our 2003 Denali with the 6.0L engine (& 3.73 rear end gears) will tow my 20' enclosed trailer "adequately", I'd like to get a bit more performance while towing.

 

There's two main things I'd like to improve.

 

#1 - More torque between 2-3K RPM

 

#2 - Better gearing (i.e. ditch the GM 4 speed automatic and swap in a 5 speed automatic??? <-- not sure if this is possible)

 

The engine and tranny have 102K miles on them and while the engine has no signs of needing replacement I have the sinking feeling that the transmission is going to start giving me problems in the next year or two so I'd like to be proactive with an "upgrade" (i.e. "Item #2") vs scrambling at the last minute just to slam the same thing I have now back into the vehicle to keep it on the road.

 

As far as item #1, what bolt ons would be most effective for my situation? I'm sure an intake would give me 5-15HP but historically it's usually all in the top end and very little torque gained in the low end of the RPM range. I've heard that short/mid length headers will provide more low end grunt vs stock or long tube but I'm not sure what the bang/buck ratio is on these. I was also considering doing a dual exhaust with a "H pipe" to gain some vacuum/scavenging effect but I wasn't sure if that would give me any additional low end grunt or just top end performance.

 

Wrapping out the motor to get more performance while going up a hill is not what I'm looking for (I can do 60MPH up most big hills already if I'm willing to floor it in 2nd gear). I'm basically trying to find a setup where the transmission doesn't have to downshift for mild hills and only needs one downshift for some of the more extreme hills. I would even go so far as to consider doing a "383 crate motor" if it would accomplish what I'm looking for. Although I'm not sure if going from a 6.0L to a 6.2L would be enough of a difference or if I'd need a big block.

 

Thoughts?

 

P.S. I already have a "Wait4me Tune" which was suppose to be the biggest bang for the buck although IMO, I couldn't even tell a difference.

Tage Enthusiast

Tage

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Ok, 28 views and it doesn't appear that anyone has any experience of knowledge on this stuff. Here is maybe an easier question:

 

http://azspeed.stores.yahoo.net/asppulleys3.html

 

Are the claims of 2-3MPG increase in fuel economy BS? In all honesty, even a 1/2 MPG increase would more than pay for them over the life of the vehicle, not to mention provide a little extra HP.

C & A s Dad Senior Enthusiast

C & A s Dad

Posted
Posted

Tage,

 

 

See my post in the full size section concerning my 1st experience towing with the HyperTech Max Energy. Just like you I was looking for a little help between 2K and 3K and I have found it. I would have thought your Wait 4 Me would have taken care of this.

  • 2 weeks later...
TA Dave New Member

TA Dave

Posted
Posted

The best thing to do, IMHO, is to put a 4.0 crank in your 6.0. Any quality Corvette or F body shop can handle this for you, if needed.

 

The biggest problem is you have a 4l60 based tranny, it won't handle towing heavy loads (7K+) for very long. If you want a better tranny go to the 4l80 based trans, it comes stock behind the 6.0 in the 2500/3500's. Going to the Allison would be nice, but not worth the costs IMHO. And add the biggest tranny cooler you can find.

BigJayDogg3 Senior Enthusiast

BigJayDogg3

Posted
Posted
The best thing to do, IMHO, is to put a 4.0 crank in your 6.0. Any quality Corvette or F body shop can handle this for you, if needed.

 

The biggest problem is you have a 4l60 based tranny, it won't handle towing heavy loads (7K+) for very long. If you want a better tranny go to the 4l80 based trans, it comes stock behind the 6.0 in the 2500/3500's. Going to the Allison would be nice, but not worth the costs IMHO. And add the biggest tranny cooler you can find.

 

Depending upon where he is, that may not be the best idea. Bigger, yes. Biggest, no.

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