Feel like a kid on chrismas

[Aquamania001]

Hey, I'm Shawn, new to the group, hoping to find some advice and guidance. My wife bought me a 03 Yukon Denali XL for Christmas (shes the greatest), and I want to take it from stock to around 550-600hp, while still being daily drivable. I've already had the basics done ( oil change, tune up, fluids flushed and refilled). I've already ordered the bigger 07 type brakes and a cold air intake, and that's where I get lost in next steps. I've done 1000 Google searches, and each one says go a different route and its getting a bit overwhelming.

What should i upgrade/swap? What should i leave alone?
What is the difference between cathedral and square port heads?
Should I rebuild my current 4l60E or swap for a stronger one, or swap to 4l80E?
I always see 2wd/4wd parts but i never see awd, so can i use any of those parts?
Can i ditch the air ride?

I have so many questions and no one to really ask. Didn't grow up with " car guys " and haven"t been able to find a local car community yet due to just relocating to the area ( southern Indiana), so my education/research has been all YouTube and Google.

Past changing a flat and adding oil (notice I said adding, not changing), I know nothing about working on cars so most work will be done in a shop. So, if recommendations could come with a ballpark price, it would be greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance for all your help.

Welcome from Maryland!

 

[vcode]

$15-20K will get you into a nice 2010-14 Yukon Denali or Escalade which will probably be as fast as what you are thinking of. Just sayin'.....

 

[Rocket Man]

hey @Biggshawn824 i have done what you’re talking about to my 02 Denali but I did it all myself. There’s a lot of money involved if you’re talking about having a shop do the work because at $100-150 per hour it adds up fast. I have probably $20 k in parts alone between the supercharger, trans, suspension and big brakes. I didnt exactly hold back but I didnt spend frivously either, just the best parts for the money while still attaining a fast low good handling SUV. You can read through my build thread on what I named The Beast. It’s 219 pages but it covers every single part of the truck with the exception of the engine block.

Rocket Man's 02 Denali Build Thread AKA "THE BEAST"

Well it's been asked why I don't have a build thread and my answer was that I didn't intend to do all that much to my '02 Denali when I bought it so I didn't start a thread when I started doing mods to my truck. I didn't think it would be such an ongoing project, so I just didn't think it would...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[RET423]

Your trans won't take those numbers, a 4L60E can be built to live at 550 but few shops who claim to know how to do that actually can; so you are looking at a Gearstar replacement transmission built to those numbers and convert it to 4WD as opposed to AWD

Then budget for a better differential & axles, no need to change the ratio if you like what have

The power number can be hit with new injectors, a 340 lph fuel pump upgrade, a cam change that creates the power profile you want & a Turbo kit capable of 700hp

If you want to preserve street manners use twin turbos so each can be smaller & as a result will spool quicker but you can get there with one larger turbo if you don't hate turbo lag (but you will hate turbo lag)

You don't need different heads, intake or even a bigger throttle body to hit those numbers improving those items will just mean you hit those numbers with less boost than you need with the factory components

You will however need to add ring gap on your piston rings and use new multi-layer head gaskets before you put the heads back on after the cam & lifter change

Using a Turbo means a good intercooler will make it much easier to tune it with confidence that it will live

All that said, I would recommend you find a 600 hp anything & driving it before you pursue this vision, the internet makes it sound like these are pedestrian numbers that anyone can handle who has credit card big enough to have it built but controlling a rig with that power level is nothing like driving a 3-400 hp vehicle with a factory torque control tune

 

[fozzi58]

Welcome from NJ.

Your truck is going to be a fun build. I'm at 550HP with a Whipple supercharger and some supporting mods but the the most important part of this is, like other have said, your driveline.

The rear end (and front differential) transfer case, transmission, your drive shaft, and a well built transmission.

Its easy to make a lot of power from the motor but it will never get to the tires if you don't have everything else ready to handle that power. Good luck and don't forget to start a build thread when you get started.

 

[LtTahoe]

My suggestion would be drive the truck while you start attending shows and drag races. Get to talking to the guys and girls who are having good success with their rides, ask them who are the reputable shops in the area since you will be using them for your work. Once you find the shop ask them how to meet your goals and what the pitfalls will be trying to reach them. You can make power but if the driveline is weak you will end up with added costs you may not be ready for. Most guys on a budget don't reach the 500hp mark all at once it is a journey with taking steps to reach it. Good luck and have fun with your project.

 

[Lil Timmy Shy]

Hey, I'm Shawn, new to the group, hoping to find some advice and guidance. My wife bought me a 03 Yukon Denali XL for Christmas (shes the greatest), and I want to take it from stock to around 550-600hp, while still being daily drivable. I've already had the basics done ( oil change, tune up, fluids flushed and refilled). I've already ordered the bigger 07 type brakes and a cold air intake, and that's where I get lost in next steps. I've done 1000 Google searches, and each one says go a different route and its getting a bit overwhelming.

What should i upgrade/swap? What should i leave alone?
What is the difference between cathedral and square port heads?
Should I rebuild my current 4l60E or swap for a stronger one, or swap to 4l80E?
I always see 2wd/4wd parts but i never see awd, so can i use any of those parts?
Can i ditch the air ride?

I have so many questions and no one to really ask. Didn't grow up with " car guys " and haven"t been able to find a local car community yet due to just relocating to the area ( southern Indiana), so my education/research has been all YouTube and Google.

Past changing a flat and adding oil (notice I said adding, not changing), I know nothing about working on cars so most work will be done in a shop. So, if recommendations could come with a ballpark price, it would be greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance for all your help.

You're fixing to spend some money, money, money!!!!

 

[RST Dana]

Hey, I'm Shawn, new to the group, hoping to find some advice and guidance. My wife bought me a 03 Yukon Denali XL for Christmas (shes the greatest), and I want to take it from stock to around 550-600hp, while still being daily drivable. I've already had the basics done ( oil change, tune up, fluids flushed and refilled). I've already ordered the bigger 07 type brakes and a cold air intake, and that's where I get lost in next steps. I've done 1000 Google searches, and each one says go a different route and its getting a bit overwhelming.

What should i upgrade/swap? What should i leave alone?
What is the difference between cathedral and square port heads?
Should I rebuild my current 4l60E or swap for a stronger one, or swap to 4l80E?
I always see 2wd/4wd parts but i never see awd, so can i use any of those parts?
Can i ditch the air ride?

I have so many questions and no one to really ask. Didn't grow up with " car guys " and haven"t been able to find a local car community yet due to just relocating to the area ( southern Indiana), so my education/research has been all YouTube and Google.

Past changing a flat and adding oil (notice I said adding, not changing), I know nothing about working on cars so most work will be done in a shop. So, if recommendations could come with a ballpark price, it would be greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance for all your help.

We tend to think you are pulling our leg with all this chat about a ride we have YET to see pics of.

 

[mikeseay]

Hey, I'm Shawn, new to the group, hoping to find some advice and guidance. My wife bought me a 03 Yukon Denali XL for Christmas (shes the greatest), and I want to take it from stock to around 550-600hp, while still being daily drivable. I've already had the basics done ( oil change, tune up, fluids flushed and refilled). I've already ordered the bigger 07 type brakes and a cold air intake, and that's where I get lost in next steps. I've done 1000 Google searches, and each one says go a different route and its getting a bit overwhelming.

What should i upgrade/swap? What should i leave alone?
What is the difference between cathedral and square port heads?
Should I rebuild my current 4l60E or swap for a stronger one, or swap to 4l80E?
I always see 2wd/4wd parts but i never see awd, so can i use any of those parts?
Can i ditch the air ride?

I have so many questions and no one to really ask. Didn't grow up with " car guys " and haven"t been able to find a local car community yet due to just relocating to the area ( southern Indiana), so my education/research has been all YouTube and Google.

Past changing a flat and adding oil (notice I said adding, not changing), I know nothing about working on cars so most work will be done in a shop. So, if recommendations could come with a ballpark price, it would be greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance for all your help.

Hi Shawn, “ SPEED COST MONEY HOW FAST DO YOU WANT TO GO?” That’s especially true when you’re hiring out the work that you getting done. Doing the bigger breaks and sway bars are great add ons. Get you a tune and see how that helps.
Being a Denali you should already have a 6.0 and AWD w 3.73 rear end proably. A great combination to start with for a capable driver.

 

[Mudsport96]

The power number can be hit with new injectors, a 340 lph fuel pump upgrade, a cam change that creates the power profile you want & a Turbo kit capable of 700hp

If you want to preserve street manners use twin turbos so each can be smaller & as a result will spool quicker but you can get there with one larger turbo if you don't hate turbo lag (but you will hate turbo lag)

He doesn't need a cam.... to preserve street manners he literally just needs a right side turbo manifold, turbo, intercooler, injectors and pump. Then run e85.

I specifically for the purpose of showing a cam is not needed, posted a video link of a 5.3 tahoe with a stock motor making 518 to the wheels with 350k miles on it. He has a 6.0. So he SHOULD ( as long as the engine is healthy) make 550 at 12 to 14 psi and no need for a cam....

Yes the 60e will die so a 80e swap should be prepared for, but that's it.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Ohhhhh........ But the smiles per mile.............

Unless of course you shred a new serpentine belt 165 miles away from home, like I did today. Fortunately, I somehow miraculously had the foresight to purchase a spare serpentine belt and I carry it in the truck. WTF!!!

 

[Marky Dissod]

... Unless of course you shred a new serpentine belt 165 miles away from home, like I did today.
Fortunately, I somehow miraculously had the foresight to purchase a spare serpentine belt and I carry it in the truck. WTF!!!

That ain't no wtf.
NEVER hurts to carry spare parts on you, especially if they're light enough for a child to carry with one hand, especially if they're critical for vehicle operations.

 

[RST Dana]

We tend to think you are pulling our leg with all this chat about a ride we have YET to see pics of.

Maybe out of film?

 

[RET423]

He doesn't need a cam.... to preserve street manners he literally just needs a right side turbo manifold, turbo, intercooler, injectors and pump. Then run e85.

I specifically for the purpose of showing a cam is not needed, posted a video link of a 5.3 tahoe with a stock motor making 518 to the wheels with 350k miles on it. He has a 6.0. So he SHOULD ( as long as the engine is healthy) make 550 at 12 to 14 psi and no need for a cam....

Yes the 60e will die so a 80e swap should be prepared for, but that's it.

I didn't say he needed a cam to preserve street manners or to hit his power mark, I said he needed a cam that is ground for the power profile he wants; if he likes the GM truck power profile he can keep using that cam but most people looking for 600 hp want the peak above 5200 RPM

My comment about street manners was in relation to turbo lag, smaller turbos have very little & larger turbos have a lot; V-8's can utilize 2 smaller turbos to make the peak HP numbers he is talking about with reduced lag by using that scheme

I am advising him to consider the variables that will affect drivabilty so he doesn't build an engine that is a turd to drive because he only considered peak power numbers in the parts he chose

 

[Biggshawn824]

Thanks, guys, for all the comments and feedback. One thing I'm gathering from most of the comments is switching to 4:10 gearing. My new air ride system and brakes arrived yesterday, and will be getting installed over the weekend. I'm now looking into getting the gearing and a new trans. My mechanic recommended the parts he currently runs in his own Denali ( see photos ). Have you guys ever heard of or used these, and are there any others that you might recommend? As always, all comments are greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance.


PS I changed my own seprintine belt yesterday.

 

[Biggshawn824]

We tend to think you are pulling our leg with all this chat about a ride we have YET to see pics of.

Just seeing this lol sorry I’ll post pics in the morning when I get home.

 

[tom3]

Didn't see it but is that a rear wheel, two wheel drive? AWD or four wheel would get real expensive changing the gears. If two wheel drive with the 6.0 that you have the gear change to 4:10 would make a pretty big difference in performance. And for sure get a performance exhaust setup. I wouldn't get into that engine with over 200K miles on it.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Didn't see it but is that a rear wheel, two wheel drive? AWD or four wheel would get real expensive changing the gears. If two wheel drive with the 6.0 that you have the gear change to 4:10 would make a pretty big difference in performance. And for sure get a performance exhaust setup. I wouldn't get into that engine with over 200K miles on it.

I just completed the gear change from 3.42 to 4.10 in my all-wheel drive Denali. I also went with a Truetrac rear end gear set versus the standard G80. Total cost for parts and labor for both units was $4,400.

 

[Marky Dissod]

just completed the gear change from 3.42 to 4.10 in my AWD Denali. I also went with a Truetrac rear end gear set versus the standard G80.
Total cost for parts and labor for both units was $4,400.

After catching my breath (could buy another decent-ish GMT800 suv for $4000), the questions I'll ask instead of freakin out is:

How much of that $4400 was changing to a TrueTrac? How much of that was labor?

 

[OR VietVet]

After catching my breath (could buy another decent-ish GMT800 suv for $4000), the questions I'll ask instead of freakin out is:

How much of that $4400 was changing to a TrueTrac? How much of that was labor?

When I retired and started working out of my driveway, I made a hard and fast rule: I charge myself no labor. There was a slight disagreement with my girl about that decision because she said she helps me in the shop sometimes. I then reminded her that I also do not charge her any labor and I pay for all parts. She blinked twice and turned and walked away. Winning arguments with her is all new to me, so I felt I should not rub it in. Thoughts??????