Looking forward to a fun ride....

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Bob U

TYF Newbie
Joined
Aug 19, 2017
Posts
4
Reaction score
27
Registered member has of 08/19/2017, and here's why.
After 26 years with same company, I've decided to retire, and having a company car for those 26 years I now have to buy my own.

I'm 63, been a gear head all my life. Street rods, hot rods, cruisers.... I've had numerous over the years. I've also spent 27 years traveling the country announcing drag races, predominately NHRA, but numerous IHRA and independent events as well.

BUT after putting 2 kids through college, I haven't had a nice street car in many a year, and have decided to build a 2013-2014 Tahoe "SS" that Chevrolet never did for my everyday driver.

While I like the looks of the 2015 and up models, the 2013 & 2014 better suit the budget, and from what I've gathered aren't experiencing the computer/electronic issues the newer models are.

Anyway, here's my plan... and I'm open to any and ALL discussions on what I want to do.

3-4" drop... the 2-3 just doesn't get it low enough. Who offers the best solution to lower the ride without killing the ride?

re-Program the computer ... for two reasons, get rid of the cam/lifter issue "economy" mode, and also to tweak for a little more performance. I have a friend that's re-programmed numerous for the Highway Patrol... I trust his knowledge and skills.

new exhaust, probably Borla, have some connections there, but open to input. I want a nice rumble, not obnoxiously loud.

obviously tires/wheels, most likely nothing more that a 20" tire, no sidewalls to flex doesn't help the ride.

Will most likely do a "mild" tu-tone paint or wrap, I like the look that Foose captured with his silver/black Tahoe, but have a few other ideas in mind. will be debadged and "maybe" some small, GM "SS" logos, If I can find the right look.

Also contemplating doing seat inserts in the look/color of a western saddle in the same fashion that some of the new cars have.... this step will depend on what I end up with for a staring vehicle.

Nope, don't own one yet, have started the search process though, and fortunately through 30+ years of the auto biz and damn near that many announcing, I have been able to establish some very nice connections that are currently helping me find the "ONE"

Looking forward to being an active car guy again! Appreciate any concerns or ideas to try... or to avoid for that matter.

Bob Unkefer
[email protected]
 

Fosscore

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2014
Posts
10,471
Reaction score
18,073
Welcome and some nice plans looking forward.

Here's some info to to consider and compare with regards to the lowering kit. He is a member on here and sells a lot of equipment for our trucks (I have purchased directly from him for my 06).

Worth a look to see what is out there.
http://tbssowners.com/store/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=44
 

Miami-Dade

Staff member
Super Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2016
Posts
3,647
Reaction score
4,278
Welcome from Miami Beach Bob!! Looking forward to seeing your 2013-2014 Tahoe SS!!
 

PG01

Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2016
Posts
14,730
Reaction score
17,772
Location
Up here to the right
Welcome, nice plans... ill sell you my '13 tahoe.... its an lt with 57k .. black granite metallic with black leather tinted fronts to match rears with windshield strip, k&N cai and slp reso delte kit......a perfect blank canvas for you to start with...all for the great price of 32,999.99.....:D
 
Last edited:

gat0r

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2015
Posts
3,106
Reaction score
5,828
Location
DFW
howdy & look forward to your build, once you get it going

ditto what fosscore said for suspension. i have purchased from tony (Norcal SS) & been happy w/ all transactions.

for performance check w/ tony or jenna (JennaBear) @ black bear performance(BBP).
multiple threads here w/ lots of info

for tuning, i have efi live from BBP & am very happy w/ it

for seats, i have used katzkin in past & was thrilled w/ their offerings
 

iamdub

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2016
Posts
20,712
Reaction score
44,431
Location
Li'l Weezyana
There's been an "SS" front air dam for sale in the classified for a while. It'd be ideal for your build.

3/4 drop: For the front- 3" lower A-arms or 2" spindles and 1" coil relocators (adjustable if you wanna go lower later). Rear: 4" coils (I believe they're 5" with 1" spacers to bring it back up to a net 4" drop). Belltech SP shocks all around. The ride quality should be virtually unchanged or improved if anything.

Exhaust: Resonator delete with Magnaflow 12589 or 12579 (89 is nearly stock-sounding with more rumble, 79 is a little louder). There's a ~$65 equivalent to the Magnaflow, according to a member here, but I can't recall who or the brand and model of that muffler

20" wheels: Should be able to find any nice set of factory take-offs for a good price around you, if there are any styles you like. Search Craigslist or Facebook Buy and Sell

Definitely get a good tune, even if only to disable AFM! A good tuner will be able to clean up the sloppy factory shifting and throttle characteristics.
 

08HoeCD

Full Access Member
Joined
May 6, 2016
Posts
2,052
Reaction score
1,931
These guys have said it all.

howdy & look forward to your build, once you get it going

ditto what fosscore said for suspension. i have purchased from tony (Norcal SS) & been happy w/ all transactions.

for performance check w/ tony or jenna (JennaBear) @ black bear performance(BBP).
multiple threads here w/ lots of info

for tuning, i have efi live from BBP & am very happy w/ it

for seats, i have used katzkin in past & was thrilled w/ their offerings

There's been an "SS" front air dam for sale in the classified for a while. It'd be ideal for your build.

3/4 drop: For the front- 3" lower A-arms or 2" spindles and 1" coil relocators (adjustable if you wanna go lower later). Rear: 4" coils (I believe they're 5" with 1" spacers to bring it back up to a net 4" drop). Belltech SP shocks all around. The ride quality should be virtually unchanged or improved if anything.

Exhaust: Resonator delete with Magnaflow 12589 or 12579 (89 is nearly stock-sounding with more rumble, 79 is a little louder). There's a ~$65 equivalent to the Magnaflow, according to a member here, but I can't recall who or the brand and model of that muffler

20" wheels: Should be able to find any nice set of factory take-offs for a good price around you, if there are any styles you like. Search Craigslist or Facebook Buy and Sell

Definitely get a good tune, even if only to disable AFM! A good tuner will be able to clean up the sloppy factory shifting and throttle characteristics.
 

Tonyrodz

Resident Resident
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Posts
30,958
Reaction score
45,061
Location
Central Jersey
Welcome. Above is all good info. I have an 03, so I'm clueless on the newer models, but I'm looking forward to your build. Gearheads know no barriers! :D
 

Forum statistics

Threads
128,785
Posts
1,805,347
Members
91,762
Latest member
DenaliRoyal
Top