NNBS Bolt-on Performance?

DeanH1290

DeanH1290

New member
Jan 20, 2014
4,931
410
0
33
Georgetown KY
Figured I would keep all of this info here to keep it easy to find for anyone looking for the same info.

To start of, the truck has a 5.3l LC9 with the 6sp auto transmission with 3.42 gears. I'm looking to do some bolt on mods before I go forward with a tune on the truck. I currently have an airaid MIT and a K&N drop in filter. What are some of the best bang for your buck mods I should look into? Headers, exhaust, stall? I'd like to keep the mods under $1k.
 
Like Eddie said in your thread....stall and a good catback along with a tune will give you a good butt dyno increase.
 
So I know the catback exhaust will give me better flow, giving more power. But what exactly does a stall/torque converter do? What all goes into installing one?
 
from a launch, youll take off with the engine higher up in the power band since the converter will let the motor spin at lil higher RPM. Once you get upto speed and it locks, its acts like an oem converter...no change in cruising RPM. But once u downshift or unlock it, the rpm CAN be higher than oem, depends on how much load ur putting on it. Itll feel like youve got more power, but u really dont...ur just in a better rpm range and thus get going faster/easier.
 
So a stall allows me to launch at a higher point in the powerband then? Seems like that would make a big difference, especially since this thing is a dog under 2k rpm. When searching for stalls, what would be the GM designation for my trans? Its the 6sp 4x4.
 
Yeah, I don't really know much about the nnbs trucks in that sense. Just figured it would be similar to the nbs trucks like 4L60E = 6L60E etc
 
Converter is a fairly in depth install, Un bolt trans from engine/flexpate, slide it back..etc
But not a hard job at all especially if your familiar with this stuff.
 
Last edited:
I'm not familiar with any of this stuff tbh. If I do a stall, I will most likely get it installed. That way the shop would be liable if anything went wrong like what happened to Jared with the g8.

Exhaust I think I could handle though since its a simple bolt on installation in most cases. On the topic of exhaust, is it going to matter too much on how nice of a system it is? I've had this one saved for a while simply due to the price.
Dynomax 39495 Stainless Steel Exhaust System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00503PZ52/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_h.HYvbWXSFRTM
 
Since you're 4x4,youll have to find some headers that will fit 4x4 trucks. I know calspeed you'll have hell putting them on

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
 
Let's talk about headers for a sec. I did quite a bit of digging on them recently and here's what I've concluded.

LT headers - best gain but they will be a bitch and a half to install, especially being 4x4

Shorty headers - cheaper, less gain, but fairly painless install since nothing really moves.

Would the shorty headers even be worth it? Do they flow that much better than stock? Don't know that I really want to do LT's since they are such a pain.
 
Shorty headers are a waste of time and money. Stock flows very well. Honestly, you'er better off just doing a catback, stall, and tune. LTs would would help some, but not as much as the other stuff.
 
Personally I'm not a fan of Dynomax. But really the topic of catbacks in general can be debated discussed for years on end with no clear cut answer. It's what you like the sound of, what lasts, what you can afford, and what doesn't hurt performance. Personally I'm a fan of Borla.
 
Look into speed engineering for LT. I've heard good results with their fitment with 4x4 models. I'm going to be doing a stall over the winter and most likely a vette servo while I'm in there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back