Not sure what route to go...

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.

DQ Dave

TYF Newbie
Joined
Sep 5, 2020
Posts
14
Reaction score
3
Hey all,

I have a 2017 denali with 20k miles on it. I don’t drive a whole lot as I work close to my business and in the winter months I’m gone traveling.

I’m looking to put some power to the truck. A few years ago I had a trailblazer SS with some work done, went to a Subaru sti, had some kids and well now “family” man haha.

I’m on the fence about what to do. Do I get a warranty for another 6years/60k miles through GM for 2700$ or do I drop the truck 3-4” and do some motor work? A supercharger? Just a cam, headers, and exhaust? I guess I’m looking for some advice.

I know I want to put 24” rims on it and lower it, but do I stop there?

Thanks all
Take care
Dave
 

iamdub

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2016
Posts
20,712
Reaction score
44,434
Location
Li'l Weezyana
If you're "looking to put power to it", then the warranty would be a waste. Do what you're gonna enjoy most- Would a "stock" Denali with an extended warranty for as long as you keep it [mostly] stock do this for you? Pretty sure we all know the answer already. That $2700 is half the cost of a good supercharger kit. Or, it'll cover the smaller supporting mods for a supercharger.
 
OP
OP
D

DQ Dave

TYF Newbie
Joined
Sep 5, 2020
Posts
14
Reaction score
3
If you're "looking to put power to it", then the warranty would be a waste. Do what you're gonna enjoy most- Would a "stock" Denali with an extended warranty for as long as you keep it [mostly] stock do this for you? Pretty sure we all know the answer already. That $2700 is half the cost of a good supercharger kit. Or, it'll cover the smaller supporting mods for a supercharger.
You’re definitely right. It’s my opinion and I’m on the fence so I need a little slap, thank you.

If I’m to go power on it, is there any ideal route for those of you have put +100 hp to it? Have you ran into any issues?

Again, thank you.
 

gat0r

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2015
Posts
3,106
Reaction score
5,828
Location
DFW
see if your dealer will work w/ you on magnuson supercharger & keep warranty ;)

similar to what callaway & other tuners have done.
 

hcvone

Full Access Member
Joined
May 30, 2019
Posts
377
Reaction score
336
Location
Huntingdon Valley, PA - Town of Webb, NY
I used to mod my trucks, six Suburban's, then twelve Escalade's, always had to worry about warranty if you tuned the truck, so what I did this time is I ordered a Callaway Tahoe, my closest Chevy dealer is setup to service Callaway Corvette's and now their trucks, so you get a warranty and Chevy can repair it, and the truck is a blast to drive
 

wjburken

Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2017
Posts
9,709
Reaction score
26,308
Location
Eastern Iowa
For me, one question I would ask is are you able to work on your vehicle? If you have the tools and are able to wrench in it in your garage, I’d skip the warranty and go for power. If, on the other hand, you would need to take your vehicle to the dealership if anything needs fixed, I’d say get the warranty, work with the dealer on what mods you can make without voiding it.

I have never purchased an extended warranty myself, much to my wife’s, frustration, but that’s me. I personally would save up money in a savings account for repairs to a level I am comfortable with and then start getting the power mods I wanted.
 

Captain Insaino

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 29, 2020
Posts
148
Reaction score
124
Location
sacramento/placer county, ca
I'm a big fan of heads, cam and full exhaust, but for something this heavy I personally would opt for a good spec'd blower cam with little overlap, upgraded fuel, cooling (maybe some meth in the intake charge) and around 9-11lbs of boost via a roots blower with a really good and safe tune. Not sure if you're 2wd, but gears as well for a dependable sleeper with LOTS of torque. I'm not sure of what our transmissions can handle, but again, if you're 2wd, a nice stall converter would be a fun edition.
 

Rocket Man

Mark
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2014
Posts
25,961
Reaction score
50,621
Location
Oregon
I went with a cam, blower and headers on my 02 Denali and I am glad I did every single time I drive it. It’s lowered 2/4 with suspension upgrades and Wilwoods so it handles and stops great too. So if you want to make it fun to drive, I say do it. These things can be made to accelerate and handle amazingly good.
 

iamdub

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2016
Posts
20,712
Reaction score
44,434
Location
Li'l Weezyana
I say skip the cam and slap on a quality supercharger kit. They're designed to work with an otherwise stock setup and it'll be more than 100HP- plenty for fun. If you did something "small" to get 100 HP, it'd have to be a cam. That requires digging into the engine and that 100 HP will get old REALLY quickly and you'll be looking for the more expensive stuff anyway. As the others have said, you CAN get a supercharger and maintain the warranty, so you can satisfy the angel and the demon on your shoulders. It's pricey, but, you gotta pay to play. At least this is playing responsibly.
 

Subanbur

Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2020
Posts
31
Reaction score
27
I say skip the cam and slap on a quality supercharger kit. They're designed to work with an otherwise stock setup and it'll be more than 100HP- plenty for fun. If you did something "small" to get 100 HP, it'd have to be a cam. That requires digging into the engine and that 100 HP will get old REALLY quickly and you'll be looking for the more expensive stuff anyway. As the others have said, you CAN get a supercharger and maintain the warranty, so you can satisfy the angel and the demon on your shoulders. It's pricey, but, you gotta pay to play. At least this is playing responsibly.

What supercharger would you choose and can you run supercharger on regular pump gas 87?
 
Top