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Some supercharger questions

offspringkid96

offspringkid96

Full Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2004
Messages
166
Location
Miami, FL
Hey guys...I'm thinking of getting a Supercharger in the future and want to get some questions out of the way right now to see how this would go money-wise.  Here's some questions I'd like answered:

1.  First of all, what are some of your opinions on the best supercharger for just most power and reliability (no centrifugals here)?? I've heard good things of Whipple and Radix, any others to consider?  Which gives the most power and is reliable as a daily driver?

2. Other than what comes in the supercharger kits, what are the things I need to upgrade so nothing breaks?? I see a lot of people get a lot of complicated transmission modifications, but wouldn't I be able to skip all that with simply a 4L80E swap?  What else do I absolutely need to upgrade besides the tranny? (gears, rear-end, etc).  An explanation of some parts and what they do will do me good too since I know very little of gears and the drivetrain and everything that goes with that.

I have an 04 base avalanche. Thanks guys!
 
I'll not comment on the supercharger since I only have experience with a centrifugal and you don't want one.


You'll get mixed reviews on other parts to upgrade.  I installed a shift kit and servos in the trans and mine is still doing fine (knock on wood) but I have blown out a stock G80 and had to replace it with a Truetrac.

 
I have just finshed getting a Magnsun installed w/intercooler
on my ride my milage went way up (high way and around town)
also the power and shifting has improved greatly. :love:
Rember my AV comes in at over 8K lbs full load this is why I believe I am gettint these results.

This weekend have added Dynatech headers and cat system, to my MagnaFlow exhaust. no data yet.

I have not had it off road yet Plan on hitting the Jerzy Shore next weekend!

Obviously I was not looking for 1/4 mile results at least not on Black Top.

Good luck. You should get plenty of information from this site and its members.
 
SRFNSNO said:
I have just finshed getting a Magnsun installed w/intercooler
on my ride my milage went way up (high way and around town)
also the power and shifting has improved greatly. :love:
Rember my AV comes in at over 8K lbs full load this is why I believe I am gettint these results.

This weekend have added Dynatech headers and cat system, to my MagnaFlow exhaust. no data yet.

I have not had it off road yet Plan on hitting the Jerzy Shore next weekend!

Obviously I was not looking for 1/4 mile results at least not on Black Top.

Good luck. You should get plenty of information from this site and its members.
Click to expand...

Did you post pics anywhere??
 
yea a couple still working on cleaning up under the hood had a lot of things moved around under there.

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php/topic,76348.20.html
 
So..how bout them questions haha  :B:

lol so for the tranny, would simply putting in a 4L80E be good enough?? Or should I get a shift kit as well?? And what's a G80 (see how i know nothing of these parts)?

Oh, and should I worry about anything in the rear-end?



So other than that, a supercharger is good to go in without problems??

Thanks.
 
Do you know somthing about the install of l480e that I dont.
If I rember this is not just a Drop in swap.

But the magnasun is a bolt on unit (with or without Intercooler)
Even can use stock plugs and wires ( adjust Gap)
Kit comes compleat with programer (superchip)
air tube, full boost pump...belts
 
SRFNSNO said:
Do you know somthing about the install of l480e that I dont.
If I rember this is not just a Drop in swap.
Click to expand...

Like i said, I dont know much about this drivetrain stuff lol...so what would be involved in the installation of a 4L80E??
 
I remember reading a article in one of the 4x4 mags about a year ago. :rolleyes:
it can be done but there are some simple ways too upgrade the L60 to handle the HP.
 
You might want to take a look at this.

4L80E Upgrade kits from Speed Engineering
http://speed-eng.com/store/index.php?cPath=23_940_1409

Among other problems, the 4L80's are 2 1/2 inches longer than the 4L60's. Means the transfer case has to move back 2 1/2 inches and I'm not sure exactly what that does for driveshaft length but I know crossmembers need to move.

 
If I recall correctly BigBlackAv has done the conversion to the 4L80E and it's an FLT at that.  He should be able to answer those questions, he likely will be around here someplace I bet.

FLT = Finish Line Transmission,  If you have transmission questions they ROCK.  If you start adding lot's of power to one of these HEAVY rigs and you abuse your ride, an FLT level 5 4L65E  should handle it fine.

From all the research I have done it seems hit and miss with the 4L60E that we have in our trucks.  Some people get away with the basics ie.  HD-2 Shift kit, servo's of some type- corvette or Billet and a Large Trany cooler.  That's what I have now, but I have only put a few hundred miles on since the transformation and I don't pound on my ride either.  If I or when I have troubles I'll likely go the 65E route as it's the same case as the 60E.

If it has not been answered the G80 is your factory locker in the rear end, that is your weak point along with the transmission.  Hence changing to a trutrac, a different locker.....

It seems from looking into this a LOT that the guys with the centrifugals and turbo's don't seem to have as many transmission failures as us running the Radix, just an observation here I don't want to start anything. 

If you decide to go down this road........ just prepare to spend about 3x what you think you might get away with.

My .02 for yah

d
 
offspringkid96 said:
So..how bout them questions haha? :B:

lol so for the tranny, would simply putting in a 4L80E be good enough?? Or should I get a shift kit as well?? And what's a G80 (see how i know nothing of these parts)?

Oh, and should I worry about anything in the rear-end?



So other than that, a supercharger is good to go in without problems??

Thanks.
Click to expand...

G80 is the rearend.. the weakest link on the AV once you add power is the tranny...the next weakest link is the rear end...since I do not have a super charger yet, I can't really say how ?long either will last once you add the extra power...I would question what you intended use of the extra power will be...if you tow something or will the AV see a drag strip or ar you going offroading?
 
Thanks for the input guys!  I will definitely not be towing or offroading (i dont even have a hitch).  What I want is basically a really fast AV on the street and track. 

Ok, so a 4L65E would solve my transmission problems (and would be cheaper than a 4L80E) and a trutrac would solve the rear-end problems....am i correct?? If not, please correct me.

Anything else I would need to add/upgrade?
 
stingray502 said:
G80 is the rearend.. the weakest link on the AV once you add power is the tranny...the next weakest link is the rear end...since I do not have a super charger yet, I can't really say how ?long either will last once you add the extra power...I would question what you intended use of the extra power will be...if you tow something or will the AV see a drag strip or ar you going offroading?
Click to expand...

My stock G80 blew about 2 months after installing the supercharger. ?The biggest reason was driver abuse. ?I had just changed blower pulleys to make more boost and added meth injection the day it blew.

I did (or attempted) a brake stalled launch at 2600 rpm at WOT. ?About the time that the rpm hit 2600 there was a "BOOM" and the engine revved up like it was in neutral. ?My first thought was that I had broken the output shaft on the transmission but it ended up being the rear end.

As I said before, the trans is still in one piece.
 
offspringkid96 said:
Thanks for the input guys!? I will definitely not be towing or offroading (i dont even have a hitch).? What I want is basically a really fast AV on the street and track.?

Ok, so a 4L65E would solve my transmission problems (and would be cheaper than a 4L80E) and a trutrac would solve the rear-end problems....am i correct?? If not, please correct me.

Anything else I would need to add/upgrade?
Click to expand...

A 4L65 that has been built to take some serious power, not just a factory spec trans, should take it.

A built 4L80 will definitely take it but it is NOT a direct replacement and the internal parts are a lot heaver which cost you some HP.

My Truetrac has worked perfect from the day it was installed.  That does include some boosted launches at the drag strip.
 
KY_BOB said:
A 4L65 that has been built to take some serious power, not just a factory spec trans, should take it.

A built 4L80 will definitely take it but it is NOT a direct replacement and the internal parts are a lot heaver which cost you some HP.

My Truetrac has worked perfect from the day it was installed.? That does include some boosted launches at the drag strip.
Click to expand...

That is what I meant to indicate if I wasn't clear, a built 4l65E, you can have your 60e, built to the spec's of a 65e I believe that is the 5 planetary gears etc. As well as a bunch of hypo parts. That would be my plan of attack if and when I have trans problems.? I also believe that the gearing is different in the 4L80 as well and have heard that takes some of the pull away also..

Check out http://www.finishlinetrans.com/? you can take a look at each level and see what it includes for parts.? You can also call then they know there stuff.? We had a group buy a while back for the trans parts that are in my 60E.


d

 
Thanks for the info guys.  I'll be looking around that site for stuff, and possibly just build my current transmission like you guys said.  Hopefully it's not too complicated.

Now can someone tell me exactly what TrueTrac thing I would need?? Part number or a direct link to the part would be helpful.
 
offspringkid96 said:
Thanks for the input guys!? I will definitely not be towing or offroading (i dont even have a hitch).? What I want is basically a really fast AV on the street and track.?
Click to expand...

Buy a car........lol :kidding:

The stock 4L60E can be beefed up but there are a few key parts that have to be replaced.
5 pinion planetaries(not aftermarket ones)
Hardened output shaft
Hardened input shaft sleeve
Transgo HD2 shift kit
Servos
Beast Sun Shell
Wide 2-4 band(carbonite preferred)
If replacing band, new drum required.
Extra 3-4 frictions.

There are some billet parts available also but they are very expensive.? 500 for the output and 450 for the input.

The 4L80E has been shown in some case to knock 3/10ths off the 1/4 mile time.

Now back to your original question:

First my disclaimer :p........my statements are my opinion and in no way intended to offend the centrifigal supercharger owners......lol. I've driven Bob's truck and it runs great. With that being said, I have a Whipple and I have had no issues with reliability. I race, plow, and tow with it.

It seems like you already have your mind made up for a twin screw or a roots style. IMO the twin screw(Whipple) has a bit of an edge over the roots style.  They tend to build boost a bit faster. Just don't use the Whipple "extra injectors" and computer. Go with bigger injectors and a custom tune. But there are lots of guys using the Magnacharger with some great results. Its a nice "bolt on" kit. They can be intercooled where the Whipple is not. They are all good products and can make some power. One of the keys is good tuning.

My .02 as well.
DanV said:
It seems from looking into this a LOT that the guys with the centrifugals and turbo's don't seem to have as many transmission failures as us running the Radix, just an observation here I don't want to start anything.

If you decide to go down this road........ just prepare to spend about 3x what you think you might get away with.

My .02 for yah

d
Click to expand...
What he said too......lol
 
A well-built 4L65E should do you fine unless you plan on forcing in more air than the stock 5.3 can handle.? I would go 4L80E if I was going with something built in the +400 cube range.?

The 4L80E swap might even be more expensive than an FLT Level 5 4L65E with billet shafts.? Particularly, if you want to replace the taller low gears in the 80E.? The driveshafts will also have to be lengthened/shortened.? Also seems that most swaps I have read about, the kits came with an incorrect crossmember. :E:

Don't forget to add the cost of a heavy duty torque converter to either trans swap.

Another vote for the Detroit Truetrac to replace the G80.
 
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