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Do You TBS Or Supercharge

G

gandolphxx

Charter Member
Full Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
5,750
Location
Houston, TX
Time to get some survey data, will help new members and those of you lusting for more power - thanks. ;D
 
I added the K&N FIPK...like it lot....I however did not opt to add a throttle body spacer due to the fact that some folks that could be considered experts in this game..doubt it's effectiveness.....

I don't feel like breaking out the dremel and notching the fan shroud for minimal to no gains.....I'll pass on this one....my opinion...
 
By the end of the summer, I should have both a UPD FIPK and a TBS installed. Seems to be easy mods, that don't cost too much.
 
Best bet is to read all the reviews, lots of plusses and minuses.

General cost, between $175 - $350 give or take.

Check out FIPK issues - there is plenty of advice there and some side threads to review. >:D
 
ZimmsAv said:
UPD Intake on the way, and ready to purchase the TBS now. ?Any opinions on Helix or Poweraid, or the diferences between them?
Click to expand...

There are threads on "Throttle Body Spacers", check them

On the Helix, just send me a check for $100 and I will send you a letter that says you did it and got 100 HP gain, much simpler and you don't have to get dirty installing it. ;D
 
Supercharger won't be in the budget for quite a while, I run the Poweraid TBS with a custom UPD+KN FIPK intake.
 
Hey Zimmthumps,

I have a UPD with Poweraid TBS set up. I'm very happy with the set up, sound, and performance. Took 2 hours to carefully install, sounds like a turbo, and definite increase in power and mileage *

* with the help of Flowmaster 40's and HPP3
 
Has anyone installed a supercharger in their AV yet?
If so, how do you like it?
 
Im finely ready to install mine , ediver...., just wanted to get the Drive Train up to par...., and a few things in the engine compartment ready first....., things are finely slowing up at work..., so I can take some time off to do it.... I want to take My time, and do a really Stylin install, with everything the way I want it........ Mine is a Whipple for the 5.3....., gandolphxx has already done the Whipple on his 8.1.......
 
Butch said:
Im finely ready to install mine , ediver...., just wanted to get the Drive Train up to par...., and a few things in the engine compartment ready first....., things are finely slowing up at work..., so I can take some time off to do it.... I want to take My time, and do a really Stylin install, with everything the way I want it........ Mine is a Whipple for the 5.3....., gandolphxx has already done the Whipple on his 8.1.......
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About bloody time (y) Good luck ;D
 
Thanks Butch! I just got an email this evening from whipple saying they have a supercharger for me!
Now I just have to nail down the price! :)
 
Butch forgot to say I have had my Borla Cat back system
on order for over a month. It still is not in. Must be a ton of people out there installing Borla's on their AV!
 
Butch said:
Im finely ready to install mine , ediver...., just wanted to get the Drive Train up to par...., and a few things in the engine compartment ready first....., things are finely slowing up at work..., so I can take some time off to do it.... I want to take My time, and do a really Stylin install, with everything the way I want it........ Mine is a Whipple for the 5.3....., gandolphxx has already done the Whipple on his 8.1.......
Click to expand...

Butch,

For those of us interested in possibly adding the Whipple, could you tell us what things you've done to "get the drive train up to par" and "get the engine compartment ready". I have a 5.3 as well, so I'm wondering what all I'll need to do to get mine "up to par" for such a mod. I have a UPD intake on order for the first step, then thinking about cat-back exhaust afterwards. Not sure about the TBS, since some have said it doesn't seem woth it. Also wondering if headers are a must due to the SC and increased heat. Thanks...

David
 
Butch will fill in the details, but a couple of things to note:

1. The TBS becomes history with the Whipple, didn't need it anyway, save your money.

2. Headers are a must do for the Whipple, they recommend The Other Guys most often, I concur, get the coated ones, they are worth the HP immediately.

Happy supercharging ;D
 
ediver said:
Has anyone installed a supercharger in their AV yet?
If so, how do you like it?
Click to expand...

Unlike some members, I chose to install mine, rather than let it sit in the cellar ;D I have the 8.1L with Whipple and intercooler - love it, just what the 8.1L needs. Worth every penny and more - clean look, great power - very professional unit. >:D
 
I noticed a newbie with a Whipple on his Suburban 8.1. His name is tbyrne.

Gandolphxx, did you have something to do with this? ;D

 
wyoav said:
? I noticed a newbie with a Whipple on his Suburban 8.1. ?His name is tbyrne.
Gandolphxx, did you have something to do with this? ;D
Click to expand...
Not quite that way - Tom Byrne has been in the business a long time, has a great reputation, and likes to build project vehicles, both LS1's and trucks. Check his site @ http://www.tbyrne.com/ - especially the truck section.

Tom is very well known and respected, he is the co performance moderator on http://www.gm-trucks.com with me and also a moderator on http://www.ls1.com and a sponsor and contributor on http://www.ls1tech.com to mention a few of his accomplishments. His list of project vehicles is awesome. It must be nice to be able to wipe out a set of tires to shoot a video, I understand there is still rubber in the parking lot.

Late last year I decided on the Whipple and The Other Guys headers, much to my surprise I saw a post by Tom on the 8.1L Suburban project - we were neck and neck on the install. We communicated and shared info, me asking dumb questions and him providing good solid info. For those of you who have visited my web site, you will notice that I have him listed and credited on various material.

The bottom line is, he ain't a newbie and is joining the board as a preferred vendor. He will bring a great deal to our clan in terms of advice and group buys. Now if I can just get him to update his catalog to show more AV goodies ;D

Butch, no I didn't, but I use him for stuff and am getting the new Autotap package from him, complete with goodies that y'all will love. :rolleyes:
 
I bought my Volant from T.Byrne. Fast and accurate service and good prices. I will definitely be a repeat customer.
 
Sure David...., the Trans...., and the Rear End are not up to staying together for very long behind the Whipple....... I swapped out My stock Transmission for a Highly Modified one with a lower First gear...., and installed a Yank 2600 R.P.M Stall Converter....... You dont have to necessarily go that far.., but Id at least get a good Converter, and have the Stock Trans Modified... The more you Beef it up, the longer it will last...
As for the Rear End..., the 10 Bolt Needs All the Help it can get...... I installed an Alburn Super Duty posi unit..., Way stronger than the stock G80.....,and it doesn't require Wheel spin for it to Engage..., so you dont Shock the gears..... I also installed Better Gears, a Heavy Duty pinion Yoke..., and Stronger Axles.., there's many Brands to choose from here..., but all of the good name manufacturers make Good stuff..., also I replaced the U-Joints with Heavy Duty Joints on both the front, and rear Drive shafts..... As for the engine compartment..., I installed High Temp Ceramic coated Headers.., a Cat Back exhaust.., Magna Core Wires, after Market Wires can handle the Heat better than the stock wires..... a Volant Cold air Intake, You want to keep the air as Cool as possible to the Supercharger... Your UPD is a Cold air induction to if I recall, so Your fine there...... I also installed the Flexalite 282 Electric Fans.., to keep the Engine, and Engine compartment cooler...., and for the added room to work on things.... I also have a Water Injection system.., to be sure I dont get any Detonation on Hot days, or under Full Load.., but I really want to rig up an Intercooler for it.... Good Insurance... Detonation can Kill an Engine.., Very Quickly.., Whipple says they dont have a problem with it.., but I know some people who say they have.., ill find out soon enough..... ;D Ah.., and Torque Management will be an issue ill have to deal with, once I have it on.......






 
Has anyone installed a supercharger in their AV yet? ?If so, how do you like it?
Click to expand...

We installed a MagnaCharger on a customer's 5.3 Avalanche last year. He puts about 50,000+ miles on the truck a year and wanted some more power to pull his snowmobiles to Canada. He's been happy with this upgrade.

I noticed a newbie with a Whipple on his Suburban 8.1. His name is tbyrne.
Click to expand...

Gandolphxx covered this one - thanks :)

I wouldn't say that there is alot that has to be done to get your truck ready for a supercharger. That will depend on what you plan on doing with the extra power. Nothing is really required for regular street driving, towing ect but you may want to do some drivetrain work if you plan on spending alot of time at the track or if your into taking some trips offroad. Some aftermarket inductions won't work with a supercharger. The Airaid tips into the stock induction tube so it works well with the Whipple. The Volant uses a different intake tube to connect to the throttlebody so the inlet to the airbox is in a different location (sits lower). I've used open filter inductions on supercharged trucks and have found that there is alot more induction noise heard through the filter (the high pitched whining sound). This is the reason that I don't want to use the Airraid with the Whipple. I've had a Volant sitting here for awhile and will make it fit with this supercharger. Just have to get creative with the tubing :)

As for the Torque Management, that is a good thing to get rid of. You'll notice that the truck accelerates better and doesn't "lay down" when it shifts.

This is a picture of the intercooled Whipple on my 8.1 Suburban.

whippleintercooler.jpg


Tom
 
Butch -- All I have to say is WOW, that's a lot of modding for a relative newbie to modding to think about. I don't think I'll be swapping the axles, etc. but I could possible do a few of the ones you mentioned. Thanks for the input on what you did though.

Tbyrne -- Thanks for your comments as well. I loved to hear the one "Nothing is really required for regular street driving, towing ect but you may want to do some drivetrain work if you plan on spending alot of time at the track or if your into taking some trips offroad." I loved it because I will mainly be doing street driving, and towing a boad occasionally. No serious off-roading (Z66) and no serious track work. So, based on what I have described as my driving habits, can I safely assume that I could install a Whipple along with my UPD, cat back exhaust, (and maybe headers) and not tear my Ava. up?

David
 
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