2013 ppv power suggestions

[LapuTahoePPV]

Hey guys, just joined the forum for knowledge. Bought a 2013 Tahoe PPV and absolutely love it! I would like a little more pickup though, thought about a tune, gear change and some minor stuff. I don’t want to cause more wear and tear on the engine or trans, just want to make it quicker.

 

[LapuTahoePPV]

I also have drilled and slotted rotors, upgraded/lowered springs (not the stock PPV), but other than that it’s the beefier suspension, armored and everything else with the engine and trans.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Give @BlackBearPerf a call and have a 'remote tune' conversation with them. They are quite popular with folks on this Forum, and they are a qualified vendor for this Forum. For about ~$600.00, BBP will put a custom tune onto your motor and transmission, specific to what you are looking for, and it will provide a VERY noticeable difference to your motor and your transmission (the tune comes in 2 parts - one for the motor and one for the transmission). And, for a small fee, you can have them 'adjust' your custom tune in the future for any additional mods that you may want to install that would impact the motor or transmission (or even seemingly unrelated mods such as a tire size change that impacts your speedometer and you want it corrected).

 

[DesertfoxAZ]

Hey guys, just joined the forum for knowledge. Bought a 2013 Tahoe PPV and absolutely love it! I would like a little more pickup though, thought about a tune, gear change and some minor stuff. I don’t want to cause more wear and tear on the engine or trans, just want to make it quicker.

I really love that bottom front trim piece. I need to find that.

 

[BlackBearPerf]

Welcome to the forum from Idaho! Congrats on the Tahoe!

 

[swathdiver]

Hey guys, just joined the forum for knowledge. Bought a 2013 Tahoe PPV and absolutely love it! I would like a little more pickup though, thought about a tune, gear change and some minor stuff. I don’t want to cause more wear and tear on the engine or trans, just want to make it quicker.

Tune it first. It's your best bang for the buck and the basis for which all other mods build upon.

Those cop cars came with 3.08 gears, great for doing 134 mph but not so much for giddy up.

This generation primarily used 3.08 or 3.42 gears. The maximum towing package in the pickups of this generation ran 3.73 gears. It's an incremental improvement that I like and have in two of my 6-speed trucks. Swapping in a whole 3.42 axle would surely be less expensive and a big improvement over what you have.

Both modifications will not hurt the life of the drivetrain. In my opinion, they both improve durability by adjusting the functions of the transmission for better performance and durability and the steeper gears lessen the load on the engine and transmission. City mileage will be improved, highway mileage will either stay the same or decrease slightly.

The load on my 5.3 engine dropped about 5% going from 3.42 to 3.73 gears on the highway.

 

[Miami-Dade]

Welcome from Miami&Queens NY!

Your 2013 PPV Tahoe looks to be in excellent condition. Nice find!

 

[TexGiant]

I really love that bottom front trim piece. I need to find that.

eBay has the trim $70 max. I made an offer and got one for about $55 with my state sales taxes of 8.25%. Free shipping too.

 

[TexGiant]

Tune it first. It's your best bang for the buck and the basis for which all other mods build upon.

Those cop cars came with 3.08 gears, great for doing 134 mph but not so much for giddy up.

This generation primarily used 3.08 or 3.42 gears. The maximum towing package in the pickups of this generation ran 3.73 gears. It's an incremental improvement that I like and have in two of my 6-speed trucks. Swapping in a whole 3.42 axle would surely be less expensive and a big improvement over what you have.

Both modifications will not hurt the life of the drivetrain. In my opinion, they both improve durability by adjusting the functions of the transmission for better performance and durability and the steeper gears lessen the load on the engine and transmission. City mileage will be improved, highway mileage will either stay the same or decrease slightly.

The load on my 5.3 engine dropped about 5% going from 3.42 to 3.73 gears on the highway.

Hey guys- I’m disabled and need a mechanic to do all of my work. What parts do I need to switch axle ration on 2013 PPV from the 3.08 to 3.42? Also, does the computer have to be reprogrammed? I’m already using an AFM disabler (mid priced, ~$140) made in the U.S. I’d like to tow more than the listed towing capacity with the 3.08. Not worried about being a speed demon, although do still have the PPV programming on my unit. Anyone in Dallas/Fort Worth you can recommend for parts and installation?

 

[swathdiver]

Hey guys- I’m disabled and need a mechanic to do all of my work. What parts do I need to switch axle ration on 2013 PPV from the 3.08 to 3.42? Also, does the computer have to be reprogrammed? I’m already using an AFM disabler (mid priced, ~$140) made in the U.S. I’d like to tow more than the listed towing capacity with the 3.08. Not worried about being a speed demon, although do still have the PPV programming on my unit. Anyone in Dallas/Fort Worth you can recommend for parts and installation?

Yes, if changing gears you should have the tune updated to correct shift points and the speedometer. BlackBear Performance can do this and more which will increase the life of your transmission and engine.

Just buy an entire axle with 3.42s already. You can get the 9.5" axles super cheap from LKQ and then pay someone to do the swap. As long as the yoke is good from the donor axle, you don't even have to change the universal joint. Just make sure the axle wasn't damaged at the salvage yard from being drug around the dirt, btdt.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Everything @swathdiver said, except 3.73 instead of 3.42.