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Asking for advice - performance mods for my truck

Posted on 8/4/19 at 9:33 am
Posted by wasteland
City of peace
Member since Apr 2011
5607 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 9:33 am
I assume this is the best board for my questions. I have a 2015 GMC Sierra All terrain with the 6.2L and 8 speed transmission. I'm looking to squeeze more out of that big arse motor but I'm a novice mechanic. What should I consider? And start with? I bought it used with brand new road tires so I'll roll those while working on performance

Cold air intake?
Headers?
New exhaust?
Chip/tune?
Supercharger?

Posted by Jack Daniel
In the bottle
Member since Feb 2013
25642 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 10:15 am to
A cold air intake is $200 and a supercharger is $2,000 so budget would be a good start
This post was edited on 8/4/19 at 10:16 am
Posted by Clames
Member since Oct 2010
16648 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 10:17 am to
Supercharger with a custom tune will net you the best results but is really in the realm of those with some good mechanical experience. Cold air intakes and cat-back exhast systems don't do much. Full exhaust will help some but if you really wanted to wake that engine up I'd go heads, cam, supercharger, full exhaust, and a custom tune.
Posted by cberni1
Metry
Member since Jun 2012
528 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 10:27 am to
With your self admitted limited knowledge of mechanic work, you need to stick to things that net you the biggest benefits with the smallest amount of work.

That said, my suggestion is you go with a cold air intake (volant makes an enclosed box style), exhaust (I prefer Gibson but there are a lot Of options), and a power programmer.

The power program/chip is where the biggest variation lies. Hyper tech makes a very easy plug in programmer to adjust certain aspects of performance but is limited in that it’s a plug and play with no feedback. Other programmers (bully dog for example) offer an interactive programmer that adjusts a lot of engine components based on your knowledge of Engine tuning to get the most of the engine. I’d caution using this if you have limited knowledge and don’t understand what inputs create outputs.

Headers aren’t overly difficult but again, if you have limited knowledge, it likely means you have limited tools to do the work.

I’d stay away from a supercharger unless you plan on paying someone ($2k+) to install it with updated parts that can handle the forced induction and then tune the truck because it will completely change the stock parameters the truck is programmed for and cause you a lot of headache.
This post was edited on 8/4/19 at 10:38 am
Posted by Hammertime
Will trade dowsing rod for titties
Member since Jan 2012
43030 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 11:05 am to
The factory 6.2 exhaust doesn't leave much room for improvement. I wouldn't waste the money unless you're looking for it to just be louder
Posted by pjab
Member since Mar 2016
5655 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 11:08 am to
Posted by upgrade
Member since Jul 2011
13245 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 11:22 am to
If your tires are bigger than stock your truck will benefit from a gear swap. Idk what the Sierra All Terrain comes with, but I doubt they are set up for real off road and towing use especially when bigger tires are added. Proper gear ratios will make every engine mod feel even better, where with the wrong gear ratio you may not notice added horsepower as easily.
Posted by Kino74
Denham springs
Member since Nov 2013
5346 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 11:23 am to
quote:

I'm looking to squeeze more out of that big arse motor but I'm a novice mechanic. What should I consider? And start with? I bought it used with brand new road tires so I'll roll those while working on performance

Cold air intake?
Headers?
New exhaust?
Chip/tune?
Supercharger?


I'd start with cold air intake and a good catback exhaust first. Always get stainless steel for catback. After that see what you're comfortable with.
Posted by lildaddy86
Hammond
Member since May 2016
251 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 11:25 am to
What do you use the truck for? Are you looking for more performance while towing or just overall trying to wake the motor up?

I would def start with a programmer. You will see a big difference and can change the tunes from within the truck for towing, economy or performance.
Posted by Clames
Member since Oct 2010
16648 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 11:30 am to
His is a gasser, not a diesel. Switching between tunes is pointless. I have a four-tune chip in my truck and the only other setting I use renders the truck inoperable when I'm out of town.
Posted by wasteland
City of peace
Member since Apr 2011
5607 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 12:38 pm to
Truck is my daily driver currently with road tires. I use 4wd mostly at the ranch in the hill country. I'm an aggressive driver and wanting more speed, response and acceleration.

I just ordered a cold air intake.

This might be a stupid question... I was thinking of maybe adding a super charger last. Are you guys telling me a supercharger would require changing many other components?

Can i do air intake, tune, headers and exhaust then a supercharger? Or will the supercharger frick up the prior changes?
Posted by wasteland
City of peace
Member since Apr 2011
5607 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 12:39 pm to
What gears are you talking about? The rear end?
Posted by upgrade
Member since Jul 2011
13245 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 12:55 pm to
Yes rear end. Your truck is 4wd so you must change the front too.
Posted by weagle99
Member since Nov 2011
35893 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 1:26 pm to
quote:

cold air intake.



‘The box said 10 horsepower’
Posted by cberni1
Metry
Member since Jun 2012
528 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 1:27 pm to
quote:

was thinking of maybe adding a super charger last. Are you guys telling me a supercharger would require changing many other components?
depending on several factors, including type of supercharger and boost psi, yes it is very likely you’ll need to change several components (injectors, intake to name a few). I suspect those engines can handle some additional abuse from forced induction but I doubt the psi can be turned up too much past 5-10 lbs without causing internal failure to rods, pistons, or valve train.
Posted by wasteland
City of peace
Member since Apr 2011
5607 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 3:28 pm to
quote:

you must change the front too.



Damnit. I knew i shouldn't ask questions lol
Posted by Clames
Member since Oct 2010
16648 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 5:04 pm to
No point in putting in a CAI when the supercharger will need its own intake anyway and will come with it in the packaging. You can throw money at bolt-ons but today's vehicles are so well dialed in that you aren't going to gain much unless it was factory equipped with a power adder. Best to just save up and get a supercharger, the exhaust work, and a tune all at once. Dyno time is expensive and no sense in going back for minor changes.
This post was edited on 8/4/19 at 5:04 pm
Posted by Gatorgar
la
Member since Jan 2019
228 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 5:26 pm to
Go buy a diesel truck
Posted by Jack Daniel
In the bottle
Member since Feb 2013
25642 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 5:39 pm to
Programmers on gas engines do not get much gains
Posted by Dylan
Bayou Barbary
Member since May 2009
3415 posts
Posted on 8/4/19 at 5:47 pm to
You’d be happy with bolt ons like long tube headersand cold air intake with a mild cam and some head work. Gears in the rearend really bring em Alice off the line. All that with a custom tune and you’ll notice it. Now all the big hp builds these days are going turbo builds.
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