Tonyrodz's Tahoe Build Thread

[Tonyrodz]

Now remember, my 03 originally came with the 4.8. I now have around 276,000 on it. Other then knock sensors and the dreaded occasional "reduced engine power "I've never had an issue with the motor. Actually ran flawlessly. Never burned oil, but I occasionally have to add some antifreeze. This could've been a leaking headgasket, burning antifreeze in the cylinder, could've been leaking, etc. This was just my excuse to go bigger and better! So... I already have a plan, or so I thought. I was just going to get myself a 6.0, a little exhaust work and call it a day. So I start gathering the parts I thought I'd need for the swap. Usual stuff. Preventive maintenance items, plugs, wires etc.

Nothing crazy. Then I get this...

Almost complete 6.0 from an 05 Silverado. Just a baby with only 105,000 miles on it. So now my mind starts going a mile a minute! I have a few dollars to spare. I talk to a mechanic buddy of mine who knows a shop..... Oh yeah, this is how it starts.

 

[Tonyrodz]

So I start doing a little research on the forums, asking questions. What's good, what works. Guys giving me answers, helping me spend money! We love doing that around here. So I start gathering more parts, better parts.

MBRP muffler, 3" in and out. Bought from a forum member.

Speed Engineering 1 3/4 headers with catless y pipe in stainless steel.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Circle D 3000 stall convertor.

3" in and out monolith aftermarket cats. New Jersey is a catted state, so I didn't want any issues.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Circle D 3000 stall convertor. View attachment 80026 View attachment 80027
3" in and out monolith aftermarket cats. New Jersey is a vatted state, so I didn't want any issues. View attachment 80028 View attachment 80029

Yup. Loving this. Wanted to buy that muffler so bad, but didn't have PM or classified privileges yet... Do you love it, or what? Did you post a clip somewhere? Can't remember...

 

[Tonyrodz]

Here's the game plan.

Cam, springs, retainers, pushrods, high volume oil pump, heavy duty timing chain, external trans cooler, in addition to the factory trans cooler, and a tune. The internal motor work was done by another speed shop, not my buddy. My buddy starts the motor swap, doing all the external mods, headers, y pipe and the torque convertor, because the motor was out already.

The 6.0. Super clean.

I had to use one of each valve cover, as the pcv system was a little different on the 6.0 then my old motor.

Cleaned them up.

Coming along nicely.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Yup. Loving this. Wanted to buy that muffler so bad, but didn't have PM or classified privileges yet... Do you love it, or what? Did you post a clip somewhere? Can't remember...

Pm sent

 

[Tonyrodz]

Some more install pics.

Not such a smooth install with the y pipe. Didn't line up.

Another issue.

Y pipe is right against the front prop shaft.

 

[Tonyrodz]

All buttoned up.

Unfortunately the front prop shaft had to be removed, so 4wd no longer works. I'm pissed at this point. The reason I bought this exhaust setup was it supposedly was plug and play--it's not. Also has a loud exhaust because the y pipe doesn't line up with the remainder of the factory exhaust.
She's on her way now, for all the fun stuff.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Dropped off, waiting for her goodies.

Work eventually gets done, but goes beyond promised date. Guy turns out to be a real douche, but it gets done. Fixes the exhaust too. Has to rotate and weld the new y pipe.
First driving impression: HOLY SHIT! This Hoe is a badass!

I had to take it easy, my gf was following me with my work van. I had to pull over 3 times to wait for her! Lol
Took a video of it idling once I got home. This is through the stock muffler.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Ok, now I'm just driving it around, trying to work out some kinks. The wires I bought for it aren't right. A few boots are burning on the header tubes.

Boots are too long, and I have to take off the metal heat shield for it to fit correctly. This isn't going to work for me. Search around and I find what I'm looking for.

Got Taylor racing wires with shorter boots.

 

[Tonyrodz]

They work great.

And for a little extra insurance, I grabbed some fiberglass heat shields. Rated far higher then the headers will ever see.

Running great now. On my way to get the mbrp installed.

Keeping the stock tailpipe for now.

Sounds really good.

 

[Tonyrodz]

That's running through the muffler with no cats. There's no room for the new cats unfortunately. On the custom tune 2 O2 sensors are tuned out. Tuned to run on 87 octane. Not much of a difference from the 92 octane tune.

Here's my "cat". Hopefully it'll pass the visual NJ does for inspection.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Time for a little suspension work. I've been wanting to drop it for awhile. By this time tho I've spent a ton of $$ on the swap. So I'm trying to go a little cheap. I'm looking to do a 2/3 drop. Nothing crazy. Find a reasonably priced kit from crown suspension. Comes with 2" keys, rear lowering springs and shock extenders.

Before the drop.

After the drop.

No more of that huge wheel well gap.
Rear is 33" from ground to wheel well.
Front is now 32 1/2". I had to crank it up 1/2" the jounce stops were squashed.

 

[Cattivo]

I went back to work a few weeks ago and haven't been on here as much lately due to my crazy hours...I return to see you finally made a build thread!!! lol...it's about time brother

 

[PG01]

I went back to work a few weeks ago and haven't been on here as much lately due to my crazy hours...I return to see you finally made a build thread!!! lol...it's about time brother

Work,smwork

 

[PG01]

That's great tony, i love tge build bud....good shit, good shit.....

 

[iamdub]

Colormatch the grill...

This.

 

[iamdub]

Ok, now I'm just driving it around, trying to work out some kinks. The wires I bought for it aren't right. A few boots are burning on the header tubes.
View attachment 80049 View attachment 80050 View attachment 80051 Boots are too long, and I have to take off the metal heat shield for it to fit correctly. This isn't going to work for me. Search around and I find what I'm looking for. View attachment 80052 View attachment 80053
Got Taylor racing wires with shorter boots.

I ran Taylor Spiro Pros whenever I replaced OEM wires. On ignition wires, the cheap aftermarket ones, especially the parts store house brands, are too hit-or-miss across all the brands as far as my experience goes. The Spiro Pros were cheaper than AC Delco replacements and never gave me any issues- good quality, no electrical interference and looked cool.

*In mob boss voice "You did good, Tony. Real good."

 

[David Paul]

Thanks Tony for the thread......

 

[Haliwa04]

Nevermind, found it. Lol. Sounds amazing.