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

[67RS427]

If your DJM are 1.375" (1 3/8") like mine, the ES bushing sets are p/n 9.5173R for reds.

I'll have to check... have not gotten them yet, according to Tony's site for the 2007+,

• • Front DJM 1.5″ Swaybar
  • Rear DJM 1 3/16 Swaybar

Edit: Just checked ES Catalog, could only find the 1 3/16" set, it appears they do not make the huge ass 1.5" one. I sure hope the ones I'm getting with my DJM bars hold up better than yours did. Any issues with your end links? From Tony I'm assuming? Thanks!

 

[Rocket Man]

I'll have to check... have not gotten them yet, according to Tony's site for the 2007+,

• • Front DJM 1.5″ Swaybar
  • Rear DJM 1 3/16 Swaybar

I'd check DJM's website for specs. Mine is listed as 1.5" on several websites but 1.375" on DJM's site. Pretty sure yours is the same.

 

[67RS427]

I'd check DJM's website for specs. Mine is listed as 1.5" on several websites but 1.375" on DJM's site. Pretty sure yours is the same.

You might be correct on this one... @NORCAL SS Should chime in and fix his webpage descriptions.

From DJM Site:
2001 – 2015 AVALANCHE, TAHOE, SUBURBAN 1.13″ SOLID CALMAX REAR ANTI SWAY-BAR BY DJM

 

[Rocket Man]

Dropped it off at a shop that has a $40,000 balancing machine that can do 30" wheels this morning and as I was waiting for a ride the dude comes out and asks who did the previous balance. He said the first wheel had a single 1 ounce weight that actually made the wheel more out of balance and it looked like they not only did a static balance but they did it wrong. But he just called and said I have 2 tires that are out of round so I guess I'll see if the shimmy is still there. Damn I don't want to buy new tires.

 

[67RS427]

Dropped it off at a shop that has a $40,000 balancing machine that can do 30" wheels this morning and as I was waiting for a ride the dude comes out and asks who did the previous balance. He said the first wheel had a single 1 ounce weight that actually made the wheel more out of balance and it looked like they not only did a static balance but they did it wrong. But he just called and said I have 2 tires that are out of round so I guess I'll see if the shimmy is still there. Damn I don't want to buy new tires.

Better a tire than a wheel? At least your finding the problem...

 

[Rocket Man]

Better a tire than a wheel? At least your finding the problem...

Just replaced a wheel this Winter after hitting a huge pothole in the pitch dark and pouring rain. About the same price as 4 tires ($600) but I got the state to pay for it. It was a main city street designated as a state highway.

 

[Rocket Man]

I just tested it on the freeway and although all I could find the room for was a test to 75 due to traffic, I can happily say that the horrible shimmy I had is gone. Dude said my driver front tire is actually 12% out of round whatever that means and the driver rear is better but he didn't want to swap them since the rear needed a lot of weight to balance and he didn't want that wheel on the front due to the amount of weights needed. But he did such a good job balancing that it looks like I'll be ok. It feels as good as it's ever been and I feel the tires may have always been out of round. I didn't notice any shimmy or shaking of the steering wheel at all. Next time I will buy better tires though. Venezia is not the best brand and I knew it when I bought them but I was on a budget at the time. Looks like crisis averted and I can move on, with new hubs.

 

[Rocket Man]

I've been reading and re-reading the Whipple instructions so I can be ready when the time comes. I was checking today to see if there's anything I can do ahead of time that doesn't require wasting my time taking things apart that will need to be taken apart later anyway and decided to install the intercooler overflow tank. First thing I realized is it goes right where I had relocated my jack from the rear when I did my sub install. Ok fine, I pulled it out and figure I'll find a place for it later. I know my proprieties lol. I installed the supplied bracket to the tank and when I tried to fit it where it's supposed to go, I can see it doesn't quite work due to my A/C lines being in the way. I think it's because this kit is for an 03-up since they don't make one for an 02. 03's were supposedly the first ones to come with drive-by-wire throttle but mine came with it and so the 03 kit will work for me. Of course there will probably be a few hiccups and hopefully they will be this minor. I have been guaranteed this kit will work so we'll see. So I'll have to mod something to make this work. It's too bad too, the bracket is top-notch stuff. Maybe I can just slightly change it. I'll figure it out tomorrow.

 

[67RS427]

I've been reading and re-reading the Whipple instructions so I can be ready when the time comes. I was checking today to see if there's anything I can do ahead of time that doesn't require wasting my time taking things apart that will need to be taken apart later anyway and decided to install the intercooler overflow tank. First thing I realized is it goes right where I had relocated my jack from the rear when I did my sub install. Ok fine, I pulled it out and figure I'll find a place for it later. I know my proprieties lol. I installed the supplied bracket to the tank and when I tried to fit it where it's supposed to go, I can see it doesn't quite work due to my A/C lines being in the way. I think it's because this kit is for an 03-up since they don't make one for an 02. 03's were supposedly the first ones to come with drive-by-wire throttle but mine came with it and so the 03 kit will work for me. Of course there will probably be a few hiccups and hopefully they will be this minor. I have been guaranteed this kit will work so we'll see. So I'll have to mod something to make this work. It's too bad too, the bracket is top-notch stuff. Maybe I can just slightly change it. I'll figure it out tomorrow.

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Not messing around... planning on next weekend?

 

[Rocket Man]

It looks like the weather is not going to cooperate for next weekend but it can always change. I have no room in my garage to do this.

 

[67RS427]

It looks like the weather is not going to cooperate for next weekend but it can always change. I have no room in my garage to do this.

That stinks. No one local on here to lend a hand or pole barn lol? Cmon guys???

 

[05Single]

That stinks. No one local on here to lend a hand or pole barn lol? Cmon guys???

I just moved from Seattle. If I was still there I would be so down to drive down for a weekend and help.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

I just ran away from Seattle. If I was still there I would be so down to drive down for a weekend and help.

Fyp.

 

[05Single]

I love Seattle. Always be my other home. Had to leave cause wife was missing her family something fierce. Wish I could've stayed

 

[PG01]

Well looks like I may not have noticed last time I had the 91+ tune in it for whatever reason but it definitely has more power. I just commuted to work and I was definitely flying more than usual on the freeways. The SC is gonna make this thing sick.

If I could hit the like button more then 1x id be jammin on that mf'er.....

 

[PG01]

I also have a little shake from my 22's. Not as much as you have, but still annoying. Are these bigger wheels hard to balance? I'm thinking about taking them somewhere else to rebalance them. Gonna cost me around $60 tho to do it.

I took my father in laws car up To my tire placeband had all 4 rebalanced, they even dismounted 2 spun them 180 and put back on......$20 and a 20 tip......thes guys treat customers right free rotation even if you didn't buy there....

I'm sure the bigger they are the harder to balance they are. I've had good luck though until now. I'm also considering finding someone else to balance mine.

Too bad your not in NY, i swear these guys are great...

What do they charge to balance in your neck of the woods?

Take a ride up here tony, if it wasnt for the waste of gas it'd be worth it....

I'm not sure. It's free where I bought my tires and wheels but you see how that's going. I'm gonna call a couple places tomorrow.

Seriously, these guys are great......sorry man but reading more in your thread i see you're good now......

 

[Rocket Man]

I managed to move the A/C lines out of the way enough to mount the HE overflow tank. It does make it hard to get to one schraeder valve but I can deal with it. I was going to pull the grill and mount the heat exchanger itself but it started pouring rain. I have to admit it's not the best use of space but in most cases that space isn't used. Unless you have a second battery there. Or your jack...

 

[Rocket Man]

I decided to install the fuel rails and injectors onto the lower intake manifold. In the entire 72 page instruction manual there isn't anything said about this step other than to install the lower manifold with them on it. It was pretty straightforward though although I was a bit confused when I installed the first fuel rail and the mounts were 3/4" above the mounting surface. Then I saw they were adjustable. I believe the idea is to leave them up a little so that when you tighten the install bolts it pulls them down tight, so I left a gap of about 1/8". The bolts that hold the fuel rails are part of the 10 that are used when installing the lower manifold.

 

[Rocket Man]

In the first pic here you can see the adjusting plate. I had ordered harness adapters to connect from the EV6 on the new injectors to the Multec 2 which are on my truck. I didn't know Whipple was sending me a set so I have extra. I like the ones I bought better though since they have split loom so I'll use them.

 

[Rocket Man]

It looks like the weather is supposed to be pretty decent this coming weekend so I scheduled next Monday off work in case I need extra time to ...wait for it... install the Whipple! At this point the plans are in place to get this done this weekend so hold onto your pants and stay tuned.