Performance upgrade Ideas for my 2001 5.3 Tahoe

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Evildmanarc

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Was thinking about
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https://cammotion.com/camshafts/ls1-stage-3-camshaft-218-224-16-3/
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https://cammotion.com/lifters/oem-quality-ls-gen-5-lt-replacement-lifters-set-of-16-delphi12499225/
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That's after I get the visual mods complete for my 01. A little bit of cam and corresponding parts (needs new lifters anyways they tick a smidge on first startup AND screw those lifter trays LOL) to help refresh her and give some juice. Also thinking about cold air intake with functioning ram air hood
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https://www.bmcextremecustoms.net/2...style-functional-ram-air-hood-ct00ahtsfh.html and possibly a tuner. Any thoughts? This isn't going to become a monster.... at least not yet. It's pretty budget oriented yet still going to be fun to pull on some people once in a while. Or surprise them at the very least. Just poking the forum to see what y'all think about these ideas. As of right now it's bone stock. (Link to my build page https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/2001-tahoe-ls-4x4-build.128002/)
 
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Evildmanarc

Evildmanarc

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Sorry Mods, I don't pay much attention, i am at fault!!! if you would so kindly move this to the performance section I will forever be in your debt
 

Tonyrodz

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Was thinking about
View attachment 344176 https://cammotion.com/camshafts/ls1-stage-3-camshaft-218-224-16-3/
View attachment 344179https://cammotion.com/lifters/oem-quality-ls-gen-5-lt-replacement-lifters-set-of-16-delphi12499225/ View attachment 344178 That's after I get the visual mods complete for my 01. A little bit of cam and corresponding parts (needs new lifters anyways they tick a smidge on first startup AND screw those lifter trays LOL) to help refresh her and give some juice. Also thinking about cold air intake with functioning ram air hood View attachment 344180View attachment 344181https://www.bmcextremecustoms.net/2...style-functional-ram-air-hood-ct00ahtsfh.html and possibly a tuner. Any thoughts? This isn't going to become a monster.... at least not yet. It's pretty budget oriented yet still going to be fun to pull on some people once in a while. Or surprise them at the very least. Just poking the forum to see what y'all think about these ideas. As of right now it's bone stock. (Link to my build page https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/2001-tahoe-ls-4x4-build.128002/)
I kind of like that ram air hood. If you're gonna do any engine upgrades, you'd better budget a trans upgrade too. It's the weak point. My trans blew the 1st time I raced someone.
 

swathdiver

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Was thinking about
View attachment 344176 https://cammotion.com/camshafts/ls1-stage-3-camshaft-218-224-16-3/
View attachment 344179https://cammotion.com/lifters/oem-quality-ls-gen-5-lt-replacement-lifters-set-of-16-delphi12499225/ View attachment 344178 That's after I get the visual mods complete for my 01. A little bit of cam and corresponding parts (needs new lifters anyways they tick a smidge on first startup AND screw those lifter trays LOL) to help refresh her and give some juice. Also thinking about cold air intake with functioning ram air hood View attachment 344180View attachment 344181https://www.bmcextremecustoms.net/2...style-functional-ram-air-hood-ct00ahtsfh.html and possibly a tuner. Any thoughts? This isn't going to become a monster.... at least not yet. It's pretty budget oriented yet still going to be fun to pull on some people once in a while. Or surprise them at the very least. Just poking the forum to see what y'all think about these ideas. As of right now it's bone stock. (Link to my build page https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/2001-tahoe-ls-4x4-build.128002/)

A little cam? Get one ground for a truck as most camshafts raise the power band, losing lots of torque down low where you need it to get the truck moving and giving it back high up in the power band where most trucks rarely go. To each his own.
 

Ilikemtb999

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Sloppy stage 2 cam would be a better budget choice for a truck.

That cam posted is quite tame honestly.
 
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BTR Stage 2 truck cam, EFan swap(Check my YouTube video in this section) and longtubes with a tune and be done. OHHHH and upgraded flow matched rebuilt injectors.
Thanks
Cam
 
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Evildmanarc

Evildmanarc

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A little cam? Get one ground for a truck as most camshafts raise the power band, losing lots of torque down low where you need it to get the truck moving and giving it back high up in the power band where most trucks rarely go. To each his own.
Do you think that cam will rob the low end ? I love my low end I was hoping to maybe even give it more with a cam. If you have a good reccomendation that would be nice. I was just thinking a nice drop in cam to keep the driveability yet still gain some power
 
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Do you think that cam will rob the low end ? I love my low end I was hoping to maybe even give it more with a cam. If you have a good reccomendation that would be nice. I was just thinking a nice drop in cam to keep the driveability yet still gain some power
The BTR is made for a truck. Hence the “Truck Cam” portion of the title.
Thanks
Cam
 
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Evildmanarc

Evildmanarc

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I kind of like that ram air hood. If you're gonna do any engine upgrades, you'd better budget a trans upgrade too. It's the weak point. My trans blew the 1st time I raced someone.
I'm honestly thinking of putting a big Ole middle finger to the 4l60e and doing the 4l80e swap and my buddy at work is talking me into it. Junkyard 4l80e with the 1600$ conversion kit from https://transmissioncenter.net/shop/4l60e-to-4l80e-conversion-kit-tahoe-hummer-2-pickup-others/
Would be the same cost as buying a beefed up 4l60e.
I kind of like that ram air hood. If you're gonna do any engine upgrades, you'd better budget a trans upgrade too. It's the weak point. My trans blew the 1st time I raced someone
 
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swathdiver

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Do you think that cam will rob the low end ? I love my low end I was hoping to maybe even give it more with a cam. If you have a good reccomendation that would be nice. I was just thinking a nice drop in cam to keep the driveability yet still gain some power
Sure do, it's ground for a car, not a truck. BTR, Cam Motion, Vinci and the old Crane Cams had good truck grinds with less than 210 degrees duration. Hot Rod tested the Crane Cams and they were the only ones (the others mentioned were not in that test but others)(look up Hot Rod Crane Cam Trio) to not lose torque down low.

Crane 1449541. My own preference is for the more mild 1449501 but am in the minority here. Most fellas here who have actually swapped cams opt for much larger ones. Some however, have regretted going so large, others compensated with high stall torque converters and or lower gears and are happy as a clam.


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Noggles

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I'm honestly thinking of putting a big Ole middle finger to the 4l60e and doing the 4l80e swap and my buddy at work is talking me into it. Junkyard 4l80e with the 1600$ conversion kit from https://transmissioncenter.net/shop/4l60e-to-4l80e-conversion-kit-tahoe-hummer-2-pickup-others/
Would be the same cost as buying a beefed up 4l60e.

You can piece that kit together for quite a bit cheaper on your own. Plus the wiring is super simple to do on your own instead of adding in the pigtail there. You just need to swap 2 pins at the connect of the transmission, then add a second speed sensor (plugs into connector at the ecu and then drop it down to the trans), and then have someone 4l80 segment swap your current tune (gonna want a tune either way so this is free).
 

Ilikemtb999

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Watch some Richard holdener videos, he’s recently done cam testing for exactly what people here want, more torque.
I think the sloppy stage 2 cam still seems like the best bang for the buck.
 

OR VietVet

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That is why it is called "Cubic Dollars". Or at least when I was younger it was. For all I know it may be called, "I want it and I want it now!"
 
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Evildmanarc

Evildmanarc

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You can piece that kit together for quite a bit cheaper on your own. Plus the wiring is super simple to do on your own instead of adding in the pigtail there. You just need to swap 2 pins at the connect of the transmission, then add a second speed sensor (plugs into connector at the ecu and then drop it down to the trans), and then have someone 4l80 segment swap your current tune (gonna want a tune either way so this is free).
I will have to look into that then. I definitely want them to modify my crossmember, as I don't trust myself THAT much with a welder. Thank you for your input!
 

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