Forced Induction Ideas - '08 5.3 Sierra

dubai911 · August 18, 2008

So after lots of reading here and there about the options, pros/cons etc. I came to the point of getting the final opinion from you guys

I NEED the extra power for my truck and I want to get it in the most appropriate/convenient way

Right now I've short listed my options to twin-screw superchargers, but opinions on other options are most welcomed

I like to drive my Sierra and I use it as my daily ride.. and when the weather gets cool I take it off for some off-raod adventures (which needs powerful rides)

So this means that I'm looking for durability with reasonable fuel consumption along with some sort of beast attitude..

Now since many related articles in the forums are almost backdated; I would like to know what are your recommendations as of what options we have now in the modding business

-What are your thoughts about superchargers for a daily commuter like myself?

-Is twin-screw supercharger better than centrifugal? I think I read somewhere that new ones (cetrifugal) have better MPG and are more responsive than the latter ones which suffered from some sort of lag?

-Since most of my research was on twin-screw; what is the best best brand to go for? magnacharger seem to be my choice so far

-How will my MPG look like? currently I use 20 gallons (almost full tank) for ~320miles.. and will AFM still be working when tuning the truck for the supercharger?

-If did install the supercharger; what else should I consider along with it? other than a custom tune (westers, nelson) and taking in concern that I already have the 4.10 rear-end

wow! what a write up!... I guess that's it for now folks!

thx in advance

DofD · August 18, 2008

I've looked into superchargers as well. Not for right now, but down the road a bit. From the reading I've done, the twin screw type is the best one to go with. As for a manufacturer I've looked through a number of them and like Magnacharger and Whipple. I am sort leaning towards Whipple. The FAQ on Whipple's page has some good information Whipple FAQ.

For MPG there probably will be some hit, but from what I've been reading, it's not too bad.

As for AFM, I don't know. That is where an email to the actual manufacturer would be in order as both Whipple and Magnacharger provide custom tunes with their kits.

As for what else to do, depends on how adventurous you want to get. With the extra power of a SC you might want to upgrade the brakes to help slow you down.

black00chev · August 18, 2008

http://ststurbo.com/gm_trucks

That's all you will ever need.

66nova · August 18, 2008

http://ststurbo.com/gm_trucks

That's all you will ever need.

+100 STS systems are bad A.. I wish they had a kit for my 6.0. I don't need it, but damn I want it

black00chev · August 18, 2008

http://ststurbo.com/gm_trucks

That's all you will ever need.

+100 STS systems are bad A.. I wish they had a kit for my 6.0. I don't need it, but damn I want it

Make one! They put an STS universal system on an old Turd Lightning on TRUCKS.

66nova · August 18, 2008

http://ststurbo.com/gm_trucks

That's all you will ever need.

+100 STS systems are bad A.. I wish they had a kit for my 6.0. I don't need it, but damn I want it

Make one! They put an STS universal system on an old Turd Lightning on TRUCKS.

I forgot about there universal kit . I just saw on there website they are looking for NNBS VMaxx trucks to test a new bolt on kit for. I would be all over that if I didn't have a little girl on the way. All my truck/car funds are going to a nursery. It's all worth though.

black00chev · August 18, 2008

Yea suddenly that new streetbike I wanted seems less important then buying a beater car and saving up for the kit.

I priced everything out for the kit plus parts and labor as part of a research project for my High Performance Powertrains class and it came out to about $5,000 not including tranny upgrades or labor/tunning.

dubai911 · August 19, 2008

I've looked into superchargers as well. Not for right now, but down the road a bit. From the reading I've done, the twin screw type is the best one to go with. As for a manufacturer I've looked through a number of them and like Magnacharger and Whipple. I am sort leaning towards Whipple. The FAQ on Whipple's page has some good information Whipple FAQ.

For MPG there probably will be some hit, but from what I've been reading, it's not too bad.

As for AFM, I don't know. That is where an email to the actual manufacturer would be in order as both Whipple and Magnacharger provide custom tunes with their kits.

As for what else to do, depends on how adventurous you want to get. With the extra power of a SC you might want to upgrade the brakes to help slow you down.

thanks for the input..

as you suggested i'll address those specific questions to the manufacturers directly

blankey · August 19, 2008

I'll agree with the above, the STS would be my choice.

jrrod2004 · August 19, 2008

http://ststurbo.com/gm_trucks

That's all you will ever need.

Man, if I was out of school and paid off the truck, I would bolt it on in a heartbeat.

iscsidude · August 19, 2008

http://ststurbo.com/gm_trucks

That's all you will ever need.

I've been thinking about taking a week off and driving up to Orem to have one of these installed.

Has anyone else installed one on a 5.3L?

If so, did STS perform a tune afterwards or should I go to someone like Black Bear after the turbo is installed? I'm assuming my warranty is null and void after I install one of these. True ???

It appears to be around $3K for a 5.3L. What am I missing that takes it up to $5K ????

Maybe you are saying I will need a new tranny after applying the additional torque to my stock one.

Thanks....

dubai911 · August 19, 2008

http://ststurbo.com/gm_trucks

That's all you will ever need.

Man, if I was out of school and paid off the truck, I would bolt it on in a heartbeat.

the reason of keeping my self away from turbos is the PITA installation, but i know nothing about STS system yet.. I'm going to check it.

please also note that tempratures here in the summer reach around 110-115 easily.. where I assume it affects turbo setups much more than superchargers?????

05silvycrew · August 19, 2008

If you haven't got it already, you'll probly want some headers (long tube) and catback exhaust (perhaps true duals with an X-pipe). you'll be stuffing way more air into the combustion chamber, you'll need to flow that much better on the exhaust stroke.

If you're wheeling it in mud or any kind of water the STS kit isn't going to be your friend. on a traditional exhuast, the turbo mounts just after the factory Y-pipe flange. unless you customized the intake to mount the filter inside your bed (IE cut a hole in the bottom) you're bound to suck up something bad if you're wheeling it in any kind of muck.

couple things I thought of, I'm sure you already have though

GOOD LUCK!

PS. search STS Turbo Silverado on YouTube

dubai911 · August 19, 2008

If you haven't got it already, you'll probly want some headers (long tube) and catback exhaust (perhaps true duals with an X-pipe). you'll be stuffing way more air into the combustion chamber, you'll need to flow that much better on the exhaust stroke.

If you're wheeling it in mud or any kind of water the STS kit isn't going to be your friend. on a traditional exhuast, the turbo mounts just after the factory Y-pipe flange. unless you customized the intake to mount the filter inside your bed (IE cut a hole in the bottom) you're bound to suck up something bad if you're wheeling it in any kind of muck.

couple things I thought of, I'm sure you already have though

GOOD LUCK!

PS. search STS Turbo Silverado on YouTube

well I bought the truck to use it off-road in the first place before I realise that it's more fun than my infiniti M45, so I'm using it everywhere..

but when I go off-road it's more of sand dunes than mud... I didnt see the STS full setup for GM trucks remote-mounted turbo as I'm not sure where the air filter is..

I dont want to be limited at all when I'm off-roading.. what about crossing some water valleys?!!

I sent an email to STS team to see what kind of setups available for my truck and hope they have an easy bolt-on system that I could consider..

Anyone with knowledge in new STS setups please let me know your feedback about installation/durability/performance as I'm really new in FI business

iminaquagmire · August 19, 2008

STS has a system for GMT900 trucks. Problem is that last I heard, the priced out at 8 grand. If you were close they have been known to knock money off for research and development. The lowest I've heard was 50% off.