Kbuskill's 2008 Burb LTZ "MOD" Thread

[05Single]

As some of you may know I had Morimoto HID low beam bulbs in the Burb and was quite content.

Then @08HoeCD Got busted by "the man" (Virginia DOT inspector) and had to remove all of his aftermarket LED bulbs and replace them with stick lighting in order to pass inspection.

So since he was selling his Supernova V3 for the low beams, and I had been looking to try a pair, I scooped them up.

Fast forward to the other day and the drivers side low beam decided it was tired and didn't want to work any more so it quit.

I looked on headlight revolutions website and saw that they came with a 2 year warranty and I knew that DJ had purchased them in Sept. of 2017. So I called HR and told them what happened and they said no problem they would replace it.

I then told them that the Supernova V4 might not fit because they have a cooling fan instead of the flexible heat sink like the V3s did. So I asked if I could get the replacement in a 9005 (high beam) instead of the H11 (low beam) again... no problem.

Long story short he told me they probably wouldn't arrive until around new years because they were out of stock. I said no problem and went ahead and swapped my Morimotos back into the low beams because we are going out of town for Christmas.

Today I got a package. It was the new Supernova V4 9005s. So I went ahead and checked to see if they fit without modifying the core support and they do... so win win.

https://headlightrevolution.com/supernova-v-3-led-headlights-9005-9145-bulbs/

Here is a pic to show the clearance of the back of the fan to the core support with the headlight installed.

And a pic of the old V3 to show the heat sink.

I guess I will have to wait until dark to see how I like them. I am happy to.get rid of the old dingyyellow looking high beams though.

I didn't even see these for sale, I wouldve swooped them up too. Glad everything is getting worked out. When you get them in remember we love output pics

 

[kbuskill]

I didn't even see these for sale, I wouldve swooped them up too. Glad everything is getting worked out. When you get them in remember we love output pics

I will get some output pics but I will warn you ahead of time that with the 42" LED light bar behind the grill and hooked up to the high beams it may be hard to tell how well the new high beams are doing... lol

 

[kbuskill]

Night time pics as requested...
Low beam only

Low/high/projector fogs/light bar

Low only

Low/high/projector fogs/light bar

At this point I am not certain if I need to reclock the orientation of the high beam bulbs.

Not because they aren't bright and functional but just because I am wondering if they can be improved.

I installed them with the LEDs facing up and down because the high beam reflector has a flat spot on the side towards the grill.

Perhaps I should reclock them to face left and right? Any thoughts or recommendations???

 

[kbuskill]

Forgot I also replaced the lift struts on the rear window today.

They worked fine in the summer but in colder weather you could tell they were getting weak.

May do the ones on the power lift gate at some point just for good measure.

 

[kbuskill]

My Christmas present arrived yesterday.

Rancho 9 way adjustable struts for the front of the Burb. I called Rough Country today and ordered their (Grade 9) hardware kit to install the struts below the lower control arm. They should be here in a few days.

Looks like my son and brother are gonna be busy again after the first of the year... lol

 

[Tonyrodz]

As some of you may know I had Morimoto HID low beam bulbs in the Burb and was quite content.

Then @08HoeCD Got busted by "the man" (Virginia DOT inspector) and had to remove all of his aftermarket LED bulbs and replace them with stock lighting in order to pass inspection.

So since he was selling his Supernova V3 for the low beams, and I had been looking to try a pair, I scooped them up.

Fast forward to the other day and the drivers side low beam decided it was tired and didn't want to work any more so it quit.

I looked on headlight revolutions website and saw that they came with a 2 year warranty and I knew that DJ had purchased them in Sept. of 2017. So I called HR and told them what happened and they said no problem they would replace it.

I then told them that the Supernova V4 might not fit because they have a cooling fan instead of the flexible heat sink like the V3s did. So I asked if I could get the replacement in a 9005 (high beam) instead of the H11 (low beam) again... no problem.

Long story short he told me they probably wouldn't arrive until around new years because they were out of stock. I said no problem and went ahead and swapped my Morimotos back into the low beams because we are going out of town for Christmas.

Today I got a package. It was the new Supernova V4 9005s. So I went ahead and checked to see if they fit without modifying the core support and they do... so win win.

https://headlightrevolution.com/supernova-v-3-led-headlights-9005-9145-bulbs/

Here is a pic to show the clearance of the back of the fan to the core support with the headlight installed.

And a pic of the old V3 to show the heat sink.

I guess I will have to wait until dark to see how I like them. I am happy to.get rid of the old dingy yellow looking high beams though.

Lol, they made you cut the wire. Same thing happened to me, but with a different brand.

 

[swathdiver]

They worked fine in the summer but in colder weather you could tell they were getting weak.

Did they get stiff in the cold weather? Did the tailgate in the spring because during the winter they were getting stiff. Popped the rear window to throw some stuff in the back and noticed that they were now stiff in cool weather as well.

As for the lights, that's enough to go hunting for ***** or mountain lions without flashlights! LOL

 

[kbuskill]

Lol, they made you cut the wire. Same thing happened to me, but with a different brand.

Yes... but it beats having to send it back.

They only made me cut the bad one... so I still have 2 ballasts/drivers and 1 good LED headlight.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Yes... but it beats having to send it back.

They only made me cut the bad one... so I still have 2 ballasts/drivers and 1 good LED headlight.

Agreed.

 

[kbuskill]

Did they get stiff in the cold weather? Did the tailgate in the spring because during the winter they were getting stiff. Popped the rear window to throw some stuff in the back and noticed that they were now stiff in cool weather as well.

As for the lights, that's enough to go hunting for ***** or mountain lions without flashlights! LOL

No... I wouldn't describe it as stiff.

With mine in the cold weather when you lift the glass you would have to assist it all the way up and kinda hold it there for a second or two in order for it to not feel like it wanted to come back down.

With the new ones I barely start to lift the glass and it takes off all by itself and lifts all the way up.

Even though I don't perceive there to be a problem with the liftgates struts I should probably replace those just to make it a little easier on the liftgate motor and gears.

 

[Tonyrodz]

No... I wouldn't describe it as stiff.

With mine in the cold weather when you lift the glass you would have to assist it all the way up and kinda hold it there for a second or two in order for it to not feel like it wanted to come back down.

With the new ones I barely start to lift the glass and it takes off all by itself and lifts all the way up.

Even though I don't perceive there to be a problem with the liftgates struts I should probably replace those just to make it a little easier on the liftgate motor and gears.

I'm having the same issue with my rear window struts. Strong in the summer--weak in the winter. Replacement time.

 

[05Single]

Night time pics as requested...
Low beam only

Low/high/projector fogs/light bar

Low only

Low/high/projector fogs/light bar

At this point I am not certain if I need to reclock the orientation of the high beam bulbs.

Not because they aren't bright and functional but just because I am wondering if they can be improved.

I installed them with the LEDs facing up and down because the high beam reflector has a flat spot on the side towards the grill.

Perhaps I should reclock them to face left and right? Any thoughts or recommendations???

Nice, lights everything up. Yea I forgot about the light bar with output shots lol. Our light housings are great that they just easily pop out like they do , but theres no room behind them to adjust the bulb, like for instance playing with the led bulb orientation while the housing is locked into place. Guess you'll have to hold the housing in one hand and play with the led bulb with the other hand. Only issue with leds is that they're still very bright but you'll always have some sort of dark spots depending on reflector and bulb direction. If they can design a led bulb with a 360° coverage then hids would be obsolete

 

[kbuskill]

I have had my eye on a set of JBA shorty headers in the titanium ceramic finish for a few months now.

JBA calls them a "Cat4ward" design...
http://jbaheaders.com/detail_shortyV.asp?id=1850S-2JT

Well the other day, for kicks and giggles, I searched for them on a nationwide CL search engine and found a brand new set.

Not only did I find the right headers but they were also in the exact finish I was wanting.

The guy was in Cali and had bought them for his '07 Tahoe and then never put them on before trading the truck in.

Anyway, after contacting him and chatting on the phone, we worked out a deal and he shipped them out today. They should arrive Monday.

New these headers run $500+ for the ceramic coated version depending on where you buy them. These are 409 series stainless steel with the ceramic coating.

I contacted JBA and asked if they are coated inside and out and the guy told me they are coated inside as far as the wand will reach. Since these are shorties, I assume that they are probably coated the majority of the way inside.

The guy had these in his garage for several years and lost the gaskets and bolts they came with. I was ok with that because I wasn't planning on using the hardware they send anyway.

Long story short, the guy was asking $400. After some dickering I got him down to $275.

So I have $275 in the headers + $8.28 PayPal fees + $39 shipping (which includes $400 insurance) +
$30 for stage 8 locking bolts + $55 for all the gaskets (Header, left and right flange to pipes).

That makes for a grand total of $407.28 which is still about $100 cheaper than buying new and I still wouldn't have the better gaskets and quality locking bolts.

All an all I am pretty excited about it. I know lots of guys frown on shorties. And that's fine. To be honest I have never had a set of headers before so this will be a learning experience for me.

I may find out that all of the long tube guys are correct and there may be no noticeable improvement in power or MPG or anything other than looks.

If, on the other hand, there is any truth in the numbers of the 3 different dyno tests I have seen done on these headers than I think it will be worthwhile.

Of course I will keep you all updated on the progress of getting them installed (looks like my son and brother are gonna be busy... lol) and what my assessment is of them after I have a chance to drive it for a bit.

Here is a pic of the Stage 8 bolts I ordered...

 

[swathdiver]

I have had my eye on a set of JBA shorty headers in the titanium ceramic finish for a few months now.

They look good. Are you going to baseline your truck for before and after comparisons?

 

[Fosscore]

In for the updates and soundclip. Excited to see what your thoughts are on the results.

Nice “special prices” deal. I bet he was jacked to get them out of his garage finally.

 

[kbuskill]

They look good. Are you going to baseline your truck for before and after comparisons?

If by base line you mean dyno... then NO.

If by base line you mean use the Torque Pro app... then YES... lol

I am hoping to get these installed before the one year anniversary of my custom tune so I can get Lew to update it and not have to pay another fee for an update.

I don't know how much difference having the tune updated will make but I am hopeful.

 

[eand28]

I had a set of shorties on my burb and other than the cam lope being a little more noticeable, I don’t think it made any additional horsepower

 

[kbuskill]

I had a set of shorties on my burb and other than the cam lope being a little more noticeable, I don’t think it made any additional horsepower

What brand and we're they ceramic coated?

 

[eand28]

What brand and we're they ceramic coated?

Iirc they are Gibson’s and I think they are ceramic coated

 

[kbuskill]

Iirc they are Gibson’s and I think they are ceramic coated

Well time will tell as they say.

I am not expecting huge gains but the 3 independent dyno tests on these JBAs show improvements.

I am more interested in the 45 ft lbs of torque increase at 2k-2500 RPM than any of the high RPM numbers.

I plan on keeping notes on the Torque Pro app for things like EGTs and of course all the 0-60, 1/8 mile, 1/4 mile times as well as LTF trims etc. before and after the install and again after I get the tune updated.

That's another question. Did you guys have any other intake, exhaust mods and did you have it tuned???