Performance mod recommendations
- Thread starter ZNali
- Start date
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Greetings and welcome to the message board. Would be best to make a post in the proper section for your year. Sorry I can not help further with your request. But since your computer is unlocked...you have MANY more options than us 2020+ owners. Best of luck.
swathdiver
Full Access Member
The tune is your biggest bang for the buck and the foundation upon which all other mods rest upon.
The FAST intake on your truck will cost you some torque and horsepower below 4000 rpms (where you drive 99% of the time) and deliver it back up above 5500 rpms or so. Not worth it on a street truck IMO.
Your heads flow fantastically to handle 600 or more horsepower before benefitting from port and bowl work and a 5 angle valve job.
Several guys have done VVT and Non VVT camshafts lately on their Yukon Denalis, they'll chime in soon enough.
Long tube headers can put an additional 20-30 horsepower to the pavement at the cost of increased cabin noise and a new Y-Pipe and maybe an exhaust system to work with it.
Supercharge it.
Moved.
Welcome to the forum from snowy Colorado.
Cam, headers, exhaust , TUNE, Upgrade Trans & Torque Converter
The stock intake manifold has been proven to be the best under 5000 rpm
The stock Air Filter/ Cleaner/ Intake Tubing is bulky and cumbersome, but you
won't gain much by an aftermarket system. Keep the stock Throttle Body- larger
is NOT always better.
Cam choice is dependent on what trade offs you can live with... GO SMALL ...
You're pushing over 6K lbs ... I used the smallest VVT Cam that I could find..
It still has required quite a bit of tuning/tweaking. But I can feel a power difference.
And you get rid of the BS DOD/AFM failure prone components.
You'll need new pushrods, valvesprings, Tune, Etc to support cam change but it's still
the best bang for the $$
Do the rocker arm trunnion upgrade too.. You'll have to with a cam, but it's a good
idea even stock
The stock intake manifold has been proven to be the best under 5000 rpm
The stock Air Filter/ Cleaner/ Intake Tubing is bulky and cumbersome, but you
won't gain much by an aftermarket system. Keep the stock Throttle Body- larger
is NOT always better.
Cam choice is dependent on what trade offs you can live with... GO SMALL ...
You're pushing over 6K lbs ... I used the smallest VVT Cam that I could find..
It still has required quite a bit of tuning/tweaking. But I can feel a power difference.
And you get rid of the BS DOD/AFM failure prone components.
You'll need new pushrods, valvesprings, Tune, Etc to support cam change but it's still
the best bang for the $$
Do the rocker arm trunnion upgrade too.. You'll have to with a cam, but it's a good
idea even stock
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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.
Pics of the truck, please.
You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.
Regarding recommended mods, I would first recommend a Black Bear Performance tune, which will run in the neighborhood of $600. This tune will modify your ECM and also your TCM (so that shifting performance will also be improved, which can make as much a difference in performance as the ECM tune). And with this purchase, you will be able to obtain future tune adjustments through your AutoCal for a nominal fee for the life of your truck, whenever you make a mod for which a tune adjustment would be appropriate (cam, headers, CAI, tire size change, etc.). You can obtain the tune totally remotely with BBP, and I would suggest that you call @BlackBearPerf and discuss your needs with them. Don't think of it as a one-time purchase from a vendor, but rather, think of it as building a long-term relationship with a vendor, who will be at your service for your tuning needs for the life of your truck. You won't be disappointed. A good tune is the best performance mod you can make for your dollar, IMO.
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.
Pics of the truck, please.
You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.
Regarding recommended mods, I would first recommend a Black Bear Performance tune, which will run in the neighborhood of $600. This tune will modify your ECM and also your TCM (so that shifting performance will also be improved, which can make as much a difference in performance as the ECM tune). And with this purchase, you will be able to obtain future tune adjustments through your AutoCal for a nominal fee for the life of your truck, whenever you make a mod for which a tune adjustment would be appropriate (cam, headers, CAI, tire size change, etc.). You can obtain the tune totally remotely with BBP, and I would suggest that you call @BlackBearPerf and discuss your needs with them. Don't think of it as a one-time purchase from a vendor, but rather, think of it as building a long-term relationship with a vendor, who will be at your service for your tuning needs for the life of your truck. You won't be disappointed. A good tune is the best performance mod you can make for your dollar, IMO.
Charlie207
Full Access Member
BB tube is around $700 now, but still worth it for what you get.
I second the recommendation for a Black Bear tune. I've had both of my 6.2's tuned by them and it's a great, easy mod to make. Another benefit of it is they tighten the transmission shifts, removing the slip that the factory builds in, so it extends the life of your transmission clutch packs. And if you do a cam swap or power-adder, they can get you up and running and then properly tuned for a nominal additional cost.
I did a cam swap in my 2012 Yukon XL Denali and went with a Stage 2 truck cam from Cam Motion. It's a 3-bolt cam designed for the 6.2 so I deleted the VVT in the process and I don't miss it. I tow a 7500 lb. camper with it frequently, and the power gains for that purpose are significant. With this cam, I can take the same hills on the interstate as before, but I'm running in 1 higher gear and can keep my speed up, no problem.
As other have said, the 6.2 is an excellent platform for mods, but the stock intake components and exhaust setup are already excellent out of the box.
If I were going to supercharge mine, I'd go this way: https://boostdistrict.com/collectio...k-dbwthrottle-body-brand-new-lsa-supercharger
Another member here pointed this out to me a few days ago and it's the first time I've seen this setup but it's a beast.
I did a cam swap in my 2012 Yukon XL Denali and went with a Stage 2 truck cam from Cam Motion. It's a 3-bolt cam designed for the 6.2 so I deleted the VVT in the process and I don't miss it. I tow a 7500 lb. camper with it frequently, and the power gains for that purpose are significant. With this cam, I can take the same hills on the interstate as before, but I'm running in 1 higher gear and can keep my speed up, no problem.
As other have said, the 6.2 is an excellent platform for mods, but the stock intake components and exhaust setup are already excellent out of the box.
If I were going to supercharge mine, I'd go this way: https://boostdistrict.com/collectio...k-dbwthrottle-body-brand-new-lsa-supercharger
Another member here pointed this out to me a few days ago and it's the first time I've seen this setup but it's a beast.
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I also own a 2011 Yukon Denali 6.2L
(I like that SC Geotrash) I’ve done a BB tune and it was a greatest bang for the buck to date.
I’ve also done a magnaflow 12909 muffler
Airaid Jr CAI & K&N box filter
Eibach sway bars
Catch can
My suv is going into the garage next week for a TSP Cam swap package, 2/3 drop, supercharger and some new 24” Vossen HF6-1 shoes.
I’ll update and give feedback once I get some.
Either way you go- GL on your upgrades and enjoy your ride!
(I like that SC Geotrash) I’ve done a BB tune and it was a greatest bang for the buck to date.
I’ve also done a magnaflow 12909 muffler
Airaid Jr CAI & K&N box filter
Eibach sway bars
Catch can
My suv is going into the garage next week for a TSP Cam swap package, 2/3 drop, supercharger and some new 24” Vossen HF6-1 shoes.
I’ll update and give feedback once I get some.
Either way you go- GL on your upgrades and enjoy your ride!
Love those Vossens! Can't wait to see how it all turns out!
Dropping my Denali off today. We are knocking out the Belltech 2/3 drop kit, replacement Z55 front oem struts and mount and fresh gm control and trailing arms while TSP and BoostDistrict sends my cam swap package and supercharger.
Should give me time to get the Vossens and new shoes for her mounted up as well.
I’m pretty excited tbh. Been years in the making in my end to get ready.
Should give me time to get the Vossens and new shoes for her mounted up as well.
I’m pretty excited tbh. Been years in the making in my end to get ready.
