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Mods to suggest... Bolt on preferred...

Klay23

Full Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2014
Messages
9
What would you guys suggest to do.  Stock 6.0...  Few hundred bucks or so...  Not looking to break the bank, daily driver and absolutely love it...
 
Welcome,
Lot's of possibilities depending on what you are trying to accomplish. I would recommend staying away from the cheap trick gadgets that claim increase in power, many times you get what you pay for.
If your AV is bone stock all around the first performance mod I would do is get a good Cat Back exhaust system that has been tested and proven to increase power and not be annoying. Corsa and Magnaflow are two examples of lifetime warranty quality systems. If budget is truly an issue consider a Flowmaster muffler but understand they don't have a lifetime warranty and may need replacement in a couple years depending on road or environmental conditions. You also need to be careful of what model Flowmaster to get since some are close to stock noise levels and others can get loud and have a drone if you get another model. Of all things the stock exhaust of the AV bogs it down and opening up the exhaust flow will give you the most bang for the buck.
I would not waste your money on a cold air intake, they mainly increase the intake noise and don't give you the HP or MPG claims that the advertising states. I have had AVs with and without CAI and I would not spend the money to get another CAI. The stock intake flows more air then needed with factory motor. Only if you go to forced induction or severe motor mods such as cams etc. will you ever need to try and improve the intake.
Some members use aftermarket tuners to electronically improve the performance. I have not felt the need to spend the money for that mod though. I realize that the AV is a 6,000 lb. truck with the aerodynamics of a brick and it's not a high performance car like a Corvette so I don't try to turn it into one.
If I had the money I would consider a Magnacharger supercharger kit to improve performance . It is an easy install and won't hurt your MPG until you stomp the accelerator.
 
Black Bear tune, great bang for your buck.  Couple that with an exhaust & intake and you'll be good to go
 
So best cat back exhaust?  Is that bolt on ?  I'm pretty handy but just limited with tools kinda thing.  How much will a cat back exhaust cost me for the 6.0L...?
 
Klay23 said:
So best cat back exhaust?  Is that bolt on ?  I'm pretty handy but just limited with tools kinda thing.  How much will a cat back exhaust cost me for the 6.0L...?

I have had Corsa Sport cat back on my 2004 and on my 2008 AVs. Great performance, easy install and lifetime warranty, also NO drone in the cab.
They are expensive but will probably last you the life of your AV. They make a Touring model too if you want a Cadillac quiet ride with good performance.
The Corsa comes with all parts and no bending or welding needed to install, I had a local muffler shop do mine and they charged about $40 and took about 45 minutes to install if I remember correctly. (last install for me was in 2008.) Only cutting you may have to do if you do the mod yourself is to cut the old exhaust system off to speed up removal.
The Corsa is the exhaust system they put on Corvettes and other performance cars/trucks etc.
You can get info and listen to sound clips here:
http://www.corsaperformance.com/
 
Vaeagleav said:
Welcome,
Lot's of possibilities depending on what you are trying to accomplish. I would recommend staying away from the cheap trick gadgets that claim increase in power, many times you get what you pay for.
If your AV is bone stock all around the first performance mod I would do is get a good Cat Back exhaust system that has been tested and proven to increase power and not be annoying. Corsa and Magnaflow are two examples of lifetime warranty quality systems. If budget is truly an issue consider a Flowmaster muffler but understand they don't have a lifetime warranty and may need replacement in a couple years depending on road or environmental conditions. You also need to be careful of what model Flowmaster to get since some are close to stock noise levels and others can get loud and have a drone if you get another model. Of all things the stock exhaust of the AV bogs it down and opening up the exhaust flow will give you the most bang for the buck.
I would not waste your money on a cold air intake, they mainly increase the intake noise and don't give you the HP or MPG claims that the advertising states. I have had AVs with and without CAI and I would not spend the money to get another CAI. The stock intake flows more air then needed with factory motor. Only if you go to forced induction or severe motor mods such as cams etc. will you ever need to try and improve the intake.
Some members use aftermarket tuners to electronically improve the performance. I have not felt the need to spend the money for that mod though. I realize that the AV is a 6,000 lb. truck with the aerodynamics of a brick and it's not a high performance car like a Corvette so I don't try to turn it into one.
If I had the money I would consider a Magnacharger supercharger kit to improve performance . It is an easy install and won't hurt your MPG until you stomp the accelerator.

Is that a jab at me?  >:D
 
ms38w said:
Is that a jab at me?  >:D


Nope just comparing starting points. If I wanted ultimate street performance I would go for a Corvette and build from there. Yet if I wanted to go off road I would rather have an AV......You don't see too many folks mudding or rock crawling with a Corvette but I bet someone has tried.... >:D

Just a sign of my old age but I can't justify to myself spending tons of money on something that's just going to depreciate, I don't have the budget or storage space of Jay Leno.  :laugh:
 
Vaeagleav said:
Nope just comparing starting points. If I wanted ultimate street performance I would go for a Corvette and build from there. Yet if I wanted to go off road I would rather have an AV......You don't see too many folks mudding or rock crawling with a Corvette but I bet someone has tried.... >:D

Just a sign of my old age but I can't justify to myself spending tons of money on something that's just going to depreciate, I don't have the budget or storage space of Jay Leno.  :laugh:

I have seen a mustang do it lol

Klay23 said:
Any other options for DIY other than the corsa?

Maybe try an exhaust shop around you that could make a custom one?
 
shortydog said:
A tune will wake the av up.... Nelson performance does good tunning

They also make some of the most wickedly insane engines available today

Check this out (watch the video!):

http://www.nelsonracingengines.com/cars-and-projects/Avalanche-Truck-with-Buggie-chassis.html

truggie.jpg
 
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