2001 Chevy Sonora

macifre · April 13, 2009

Its been a while since I last posted here, I came across a sweet Sonora in desperate need of TLC and after a little time and work I have her running tip top. For those who don't know what a Sonora is, its a Tahoe GMT900 made in USA for the latin american markets, I thought they were essentialy the same thing with a name change for pronuntiation or meaning of the name but its not.

First of all I was happy to have cleared all the SES codes from the dash until I checked and saw that this software does not have half of the codes the normal Tahoe does, and I can understand that since Sonoras don't have to obey EPA rules. Then came the surprise, I thought this was a missprint on the title that stated 5.7L instead of 5.3L but no, it does have a 5.7L motor, not the 5.3. Now, any of you guys know the specs for this SUV? Power ratings? What kind of a tranny does it have? Rear diff? What should I do to order a reporogram software? Go with the earlier 5.7L Vortec small block in the 96-99 Tahoes?

Any ideas?

Appreciate the help

Zembonez · April 13, 2009

Its been a while since I last posted here, I came across a sweet Sonora in desperate need of TLC and after a little time and work I have her running tip top. For those who don't know what a Sonora is, its a Tahoe GMT900 made in USA for the latin american markets, I thought they were essentialy the same thing with a name change for pronuntiation or meaning of the name but its not.

First of all I was happy to have cleared all the SES codes from the dash until I checked and saw that this software does not have half of the codes the normal Tahoe does, and I can understand that since Sonoras don't have to obey EPA rules. Then came the surprise, I thought this was a missprint on the title that stated 5.7L instead of 5.3L but no, it does have a 5.7L motor, not the 5.3. Now, any of you guys know the specs for this SUV? Power ratings? What kind of a tranny does it have? Rear diff? What should I do to order a reporogram software? Go with the earlier 5.7L Vortec small block in the 96-99 Tahoes?

Any ideas?

Appreciate the help

Got any pictures of this truck? I'm betting it is a GMT800 with some sheetmetal revisions. Since EPA rules aren't followed in Central America, it's gonna be just a guess on our parts as to what type of program to go with. I'd imagine you would have to go with a local custom tune to do that.

Here is an 04 Sonora. I like the fact that it had the US Chevy pickup front end on it.

Zembonez · April 13, 2009

Here is the Mexico Chevrolet Website... Chevrolet Mexico

MS3DALE · April 13, 2009

Post me the VIN....I'll run it and get the model it is for sure.

Griptruk · April 13, 2009

Post me the VIN....I'll run it and get the model it is for sure.

Ya know, i was just in costa rica and we rented a montero sport, had a place for a vin tag, but no vin plate, not that it had been removed, it just had clearly never been there. Is it for US market vehicles only?

-Jer

Zembonez · April 13, 2009

Absolutely anything is possible in Central an South America.

macifre · April 13, 2009

Absolutely anything is possible in Central an South America.

pics...

Zembonez · April 13, 2009

Absolutely anything is possible in Central an South America.

pics...

That is a GMT800 Tahoe here. It still should have the 5.3 if it were an American market car. Interesting combination if it has the 5.7 there. 5.7 was and is a great engine. I'd say a custom tune is in order. It should have a 4L60E transmission and a GM 8.5 10 bolt rear axle assembly..

mr_bots · April 13, 2009

Wow, those pictures clearly show that the engine is not a 5.3. I had no idea they used the older V8s in the 800s. Power ratings are probably the same as the 400s: 255hp 325lb-ft.

macifre · April 14, 2009

ok so this is a 5.7 for sure, and there is no data availble as to MPG ratings but I guess it will use more gas than the 5.3. But thing is that for a truck with only 42k miles it sure feels like its missing power, at least compared to a 5.3. What advantages could the 5.7 have in this use? Could I get better fuel economy and power and how can I get it?

Thanks for your input!

C. Charles Hahn · April 14, 2009

Wow... yeah that's just a Vortec 5.7 out of the GMT400 alright, but I have never seen one in a GMT800 before. Interesting.

I would say you should look at the specs for the previous generation (99 or 2000 model) Tahoe for a spec comparison. The 5.7 may have a bit more torque than the LS-based 5.3L but past that I wouldn't say it's an advantage. Probably was just cheaper to produce if anything, and parts may have been easier to find in the SA market.

Given the 5.7 is old-school TBI, a TB spacer may help you out a bit with mileage and power; as would a CAI/Exhaust/Tune. Not sure where you'd source those parts though, probably just borrow from the GMT400 trucks.