FI or crate

[Drwinlied]

Supercharging the tahoe is a want of mine. But with that and the necessary trans build, the $$ add up real quick. Then at the end of it all it's a supercharged engine with a bunch of miles already on it.

Would it not make more sense to go the crate route? Just looking into now but there are eng/trans kits and what look to be some good sellers out there.

Hot rod customs on fleabay has some nice looking engines, for example, but aside from the sweet whine, I feel like the crate route might make more sense...crazy?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

That is certainly an option to check out.

 

[exp500]

Easy Choice- Do you want to drive it more or fix it more?

 

[Drwinlied]

Easy Choice- Do you want to drive it more or fix it more?

Haha I'm not sure which route would lead to this more. The more I think of throwing a blower the more it becomes a mess of parts and upgrades in my head. Basically a whole engine refresh plus trans...why not just go new. Sure, you dont get a blower but you get a fresh motor making way more than the current '12 5.3.... The fact not a lot of ppl seem to go this route means I haven't thought of something important haha

 

[iamdub]

Haha I'm not sure which route would lead to this more. The more I think of throwing a blower the more it becomes a mess of parts and upgrades in my head. Basically a whole engine refresh plus trans...why not just go new. Sure, you dont get a blower but you get a fresh motor making way more than the current '12 5.3.... The fact not a lot of ppl seem to go this route means I haven't thought of something important haha

A "fresh" naturally-aspirated Gen4 5.3 making "way more" power than the current 2012 5.3? What's been done to it and will it complement a blower?

 

[Drwinlied]

A "fresh" naturally-aspirated Gen4 5.3 making "way more" power than the current 2012 5.3? What's been done to it and will it complement a blower?

Well the new crate could be a 6.2 or an ls3...and "way more" in terms of you're getting what, 100hp from a blower? That's basically starting point 6.2 vs what mine was rated fresh.

It isn't crazy to get a 500hp drop in for close to the cost of just a blower.

 

[iamdub]

Well the new crate could be a 6.2 or an ls3...and "way more" in terms of you're getting what, 100hp from a blower? That's basically starting point 6.2 vs what mine was rated fresh.

Oh- you're talking about going bigger. I understood it as a rebuilt and modded 5.3. I'm tracking now. A blower would be around 150HP at least, and gobs more low-end torque than even a 6.2.

It isn't crazy to get a 500hp drop in for close to the cost of just a blower.

But, 500HP NA has drawbacks, particularly a moderate cam. This would require a looser converter and a hit to fuel economy. With a blower, you can maintain your MPGs when cruising and have a more docile engine any time you want. You'd also keep your low-end power, actually have lots more with a blower. Also, if/when that 500 NA gets boring, what'd be the next step? Depending on the cam, it might be a waste if you decide to add a blower. Starting out with a fresh, but stock(ish?) 5.3 or 6.2 then boosting it later as desired seems more economical in all aspects.

I'm not arguing and saying "you're wrong". Just spilling my thoughts on each side of the coin. They key is to decide what you want and what you're willing to spend and stick to it. Switching up mid-game and/or getting bored soon after is pricey.

 

[Drwinlied]

Oh- you're talking about going bigger. I understood it as a rebuilt and modded 5.3. I'm tracking now. A blower would be around 150HP at least, and gobs more low-end torque than even a 6.2.




But, 500HP NA has drawbacks, particularly a moderate cam. This would require a looser converter and a hit to fuel economy. With a blower, you can maintain your MPGs when cruising and have a more docile engine any time you want. You'd also keep your low-end power, actually ahve lots more with a blower. Also, if/when that 500 NA gets boring, what'd be the next step? Depending on the cam, it might be a waste if you decide to add a blower. Starting out with a fresh, but stock(ish?) 5.3 or 6.2 then boosting it later as desired seems more economical in all aspects.

I'm not arguing and saying "you're wrong". Just spilling my thoughts on each option. They key is to decide what you want and what you're willing to spend and stick to it. Switching up mid-game and/or getting bored soon after is pricey.

No arguing here. Was hoping to hear thoughts both point and counterpoint.

It's the age-old "but for x $ more I could..." and then push yourself into a purchase 5 brackets higher than u started. Haha no not really. More like, it's going to cost X to put a blower on my 150xxx engine and I need a min of Y in supporting mods. Im left with something great but still a fairly tired foundation.

That total cost is relatively close to a new eng/trans kit of a potentially a much better starting point for future build or just a flatout close enough performer.

Very good point on even a higher hp 5.3 having the power higher...a blower really does do the trick for "right now". LSA kits are disco'd so...can't start there...and lt4 kits sure are spendy...lol

 

[iamdub]

No arguing here. Was hoping to hear thoughts both point and counterpoint.

It's the age-old "but for x $ more I could..." and then push yourself into a purchase 5 brackets higher than u started. Haha no not really. More like, it's going to cost X to put a blower on my 150xxx engine and I need a min of Y in supporting mods. Im left with something great but still a fairly tired foundation.

That total cost is relatively close to a new eng/trans kit of a potentially a much better starting point for future build or just a flatout close enough performer.

Very good point on even a higher hp 5.3 having the power higher...a blower really does do the trick for "right now". LSA kits are disco'd so...can't start there...and lt4 kits sure are spendy...lol

You're gonna need a built trans, regardless. If you can get a built trans and mild engine combo for what a blower kit would cost, then go with that for now.

Mod the stock engine (forged internals, boost-friendly cam, etc.) for boost then swap it in and sell the low-mileage "combo" engine to recoup a chunk to go towards the blower.

If yours has only 150K and has been maintained and passes a health test (compression, visual inspection of cylinder walls, no noises, current maintenance items checked off, etc.), it should handle a reasonable amount of boost just fine. It might not be your ultimate goal of Mr. Right, but it could be your Mr. Right Now. Get a good trans and a blower kit and have fun.

 

[Rocket Man]

I did a Whipple on my 6.0 at 150k. Soon after I did a cam and longtubes. Then a Performabuilt trans built for 800 hp and billet converter after I blew the old 4l60 up. There’s nothing wrong with installing a blower on an LS with high mileage as long as it hasn’t been abused and has been decently taken care of. I wouldn’t trade for a crate engine. I can run around town taking it easy if I wanted to although I just tend to drive fast all the time. The truck is an absolute blast to drive. I haven’t had it dynoed but I know I got a lot more than an extra 100 hp out of the power adders. One thing to keep in mind is if you go the blower route it’s fairly easy, I installed mine in a weekend and drove to work on Monday. Then you can do the rest in stages. The cam can be done with the blower in place, I did mine that way. The other upgrades can be done as time and money becomes available. I did start with a 6.0. You didn’t mention what you have but I’m assuming it’s a 5.3? The Whipple I bought was a 2.1L but they’re 2.3L now. You can buy a smaller pulley also for more power as long as your fuel supply is enough. I bought a smaller one but my injectors and fuel pump are maxed out plus I kept breaking stuff so I decided I’m good and went back to the bigger one lol.

 

[Rocket Man]

Plus blowers look and sound cool.

 

[Drwinlied]

Plus blowers look and sound cool. View attachment 365441

Blowers 10000% sound/are awesome. I love whine in all forms. Previous vehicle I did solid mounts for motor and trans plus solid shifter bushings. Nvh was thru the roof but it was straight rally car and throw bearing sounded like marble in a blender. I loved it. The wife did not.

Yes I do just have a 5.3. I bought it used with 120x on the clock. All I know about the history is regular oil changes. First thing I did was new plugs, wires, fluids, and dod kill via cheat ( tuner vs hard parts). Its been flawless so far but I'm no mechanic. The engine has gulped in God knows how much dirt right thru the TB because the airraid coupler is basically dry shot and keeps coming loose. Now that I type thus I need to order a replacement because I ALWAYS forget until I'm under the hood and then forget again right after I reattach & close lol

Easy route seems most reasonable, blower/trans fix/build from there...but I'm an idiot and am known to buy replacement parts for things are KNOWN to go bad vs bad. I refer to it as research overload...WAY too much time on forums reading about what went wrong vs just doing what makes sense. It's why my tiny living room is filled with way overkill speakers/subs vs just buying something logical which would likely have sufficed. Had I never known/read about the other stuff, I would have been fine with a basic setup lol

 

[iamdub]

You and I are alike. lol

Blowers 10000% sound/are awesome. I love whine in all forms. Previous vehicle I did solid mounts for motor and trans plus solid shifter bushings. Nvh was thru the roof but it was straight rally car and throw bearing sounded like marble in a blender. I loved it. The wife did not.

I prefer a turbo whine, but am not opposed to a twin screw whine!

Yes I do just have a 5.3. I bought it used with 120x on the clock. All I know about the history is regular oil changes. First thing I did was new plugs, wires, fluids, and dod kill via cheat ( tuner vs hard parts). Its been flawless so far but I'm no mechanic. The engine has gulped in God knows how much dirt right thru the TB because the airraid coupler is basically dry shot and keeps coming loose. Now that I type thus I need to order a replacement because I ALWAYS forget until I'm under the hood and then forget again right after I reattach & close lol

Give it a deep checkup and look under the valve covers to gauge the cleanliness of the insides then proceed accordingly. To celebrate 200K miles, I tore mine apart for an AFM delete with mild head work, a mild-moderate cam and supporting mods. Been romping on it with minimal reserve ever since.

Easy route seems most reasonable, blower/trans fix/build from there...but I'm an idiot and am known to buy replacement parts for things are KNOWN to go bad vs bad. I refer to it as research overload...WAY too much time on forums reading about what went wrong vs just doing what makes sense.

Nothing wrong with being proactive. Double-working sucks and can be expensive, especially when one-time-use items are involved, such as head gaskets. You gotta remain logical and rational, though.

It's why my tiny living room is filled with way overkill speakers/subs vs just buying something logical which would likely have sufficed. Had I never known/read about the other stuff, I would have been fine with a basic setup lol

Indeed, we are alike. I recently sold off a bunch of speakers and simplified my living room stereo. I don't even have a subwoofer any more. I have a nice Yamaha Cinema DSP receiver on two KLH speakers behind the TV. At higher volumes during an action scene, an average listener, blindfolded, would be hard-pressed to determine if it was surround sound or not. Day before yesterday, I bought another very similar receiver that has a few more features (AirPlay, network capability, app controls, etc.), but a little less power. I'll keep one and offload the other. Maybe. It'll probably end up replacing the Fisher in the shop.

 

[Drwinlied]

I don't even have a subwoofer any more.

Listen here u sick f*cker..of all the things to compromise on, a SUB?? My room is 11x14 on a good day and I have 2 15" and a dual 18" and a 21" on order...NEVER the sub....

Turbos are a great noise too, esp with a good bov and alum intakes, but I like the more mechanical sound of a supercharger. Hell, I love all sorts of air noise. I remember flipping the air filter cover on my 350 when I was 16 to get that induction noise...that 1/2 gap was all the difference (that's what she said).

But really tho u r right, prepared is good, paranoid isn't. Do what makes sense. Unfortunately that hasn't worked for me yet, but hey

Also, super funny u did a mild afm build at 200k, because this all truly started with me starting there, then saying why not a blower if I'm doing afm delete cuz the motor is already apart enough...then it was, well, if I'm doing all this shit, how much is just a whole new engine...lol

 

[iamdub]

Listen here u sick f*cker..of all the things to compromise on, a SUB?? My room is 11x14 on a good day and I have 2 15" and a dual 18" and a 21" on order...NEVER the sub....

I'M the sick fücker?! Your room is literally a giant 6th order bandpass enclosure! Ever heard of grey area? Jeebus...

I didn't say that I was proud of it, other than cleaning up the joint. But, a movie trailer started playing as I was tweaking the EQ. I felt buzzes in the couch and in my chest- 13' away. This is from two large bookshelf speakers with 6.5" main drivers, tucked tightly behind and firing forward through the TV. With how little TV I actually watch, I left it. I'm digging the "invisible" surround system. I had an idea to do some in-walls and use thin screen printed "paintings" to hide the speakers. But, that'd make for some odd wall deco placement. Audio vs. visual.

Turbos are a great noise too, esp with a good bov and alum intakes, but I like the more mechanical sound of a supercharger. Hell, I love all sorts of air noise. I remember flipping the air filter cover on my 350 when I was 16 to get that induction noise...that 1/2 gap was all the difference (that's what she said).

Have you seen the Engine Masters episode where they tested all sorts of intake/filter configurations, including the flipped lid? I know function didn't matter at 16- I did the same on my first ride, a '91 Blazer. But, if you ever wanna remind yourself of how dumb we actually were back then...

Speaking of, I found the cleaning and re-oiling kit for the K&N on my stepdad's Harley. I soaked my Fram air filter on the Blazer in the K&N oil, thinking that'd give me some kind of horsepower boost. The orange rubber with burgundy paper peeking out from under that flipped lid meant nothing less than "high performance". The K&N oil puddled at the bottom of the air cleaner housing was just excess power that little 4.3 couldn't absorb.

But really tho u r right, prepared is good, paranoid isn't. Do what makes sense. Unfortunately that hasn't worked for me yet, but hey

There's a first time for everything. Don't worry, TYF is a safe space and you're free to confess your follies here for our amusement.

Also, super funny u did a mild afm build at 200k, because this all truly started with me starting there, then saying why not a blower if I'm doing afm delete cuz the motor is already apart enough...then it was, well, if I'm doing all this shit, how much is just a whole new engine...lol

Well, you don't wanna have to take it apart any more than once, right? Surely the labor far outweighs the expense.

 

[Drwinlied]

Get yourself an acoustically transparent screen for hiding speakers. In-walls are a huge compromise on sound but a huge win on hiding sound sources. I went the "giant black box" route for subtlety of both speakers and subs. Now no matter what I get the wife should like it more haha. If this was our forever home I'd purpose build a theatre but I just get to screw around for now.

I don't even want to think about all the stupid crap I did to be "faster" back in the day. I think back to some of the races we had and how utterly clueless we all were. Sure was fun tho.

 

[13UpInSmoke]

So more cubes, turbo or supercharger if towing is in the cards?? Definitely want more power but not sure which direction would be most beneficial?

 

[CaptainAmerica1]

Crate motor, big one…

 

[Drwinlied]

So more cubes, turbo or supercharger if towing is in the cards?? Definitely want more power but not sure which direction would be most beneficial?

The answer is yes.

 

[Geotrash]

So more cubes, turbo or supercharger if towing is in the cards?? Definitely want more power but not sure which direction would be most beneficial?

You can get a lot of added power out of the right cam. I tow with a cammed 6.2 and it has all the power I need.