Turbo vs magnacharger for towing??

[riverside]

I have an '02 1500 Chevy with a 5.3. It has Nelson tune, Volant fresh air, Magnaflow Exhaust, shift kit w/ Vette servo. Truck runs OK but doesn't hold top gear worth crap even unloaded. Truck has 33/12.5/20s which I am sure a part of the problem. I went from 3:73 to 4:10 gears and it has helped. I tow a 21' boat or a 14' enclosed full of dirt bikes on a regular basis. I am getting 13-14 MPG unloaded and 8.75 W/ enclosed trailer as of last weekend. I am tired of the constant shifting. Considering the MPG and the lack of performance I am ready for a change. I was ready to go Diesel but this truck is paid for and has a bunch of other aftermarket parts along with a custom paint job. I would rather make it work as is and not invest the additional $18k on a used diesel truck. So question is supercharger or turbo. I have read a few posts about the Magnacharger and it looks good but then again so does a turbo. Not sure about which kit is good for turbo, rear or front kit, etc. Obviosuly intercooler seems to be a necessity on any of them. Cam , Headers- short or long- , Y pipe, etc. What's necessary to make this thing run?? Still sounds like $5-7k either way. Again not sure if good investment, but heck, notmuch is as far as a vehicle is concerned. They all depreciate!
Thanks,
Michael

[COWL327]

I would think the magnacharger would give more low end power as a turbo needs rpm to spool up

[2500Ak]

Wait, it doesn't hold overdrive at all? That sound like a trans problem rather than deficiency. You said "even unloaded" and thats worrysome. A magnacharger will give you all the torque you want but it doesn't mean anything if your trans is worn out. Has it been retuned for gears?

[bud8fan]

i have had both and the radix was the way to go for towing...low end and mid range tq will keep you in the good for shure....hit blownchevy up for a used remanufactured kit or just watch the sale section for a used kit and pick it up cheaper.

[riverside]

I don't believe a trans issue. It doesn't slip it just dowesn't have the HP to hold it in top gear as it should When it gets loaded it drops just like it should. It just drops all of the time. It has been re-tuned for the gear change and Nelson actually has had the PCM a second time to attempt to help it out. I believe it is partially a gear ratio issue due to tire height, could have maybee at this point went with 4:56 and it would probably tow fine. I would rather keep the higher gears as it cruises OK. I lost 2 mpg when I went to the 4:10s. The second problem I am thinking is the weight of the tires and wheels and a lack of torque. Sounds like the Magnacharger is the ticket. Blownchevy may have a reman kit?

Thanks!

[Slimsilverado]

NEVER tow anything in overdive it will burn it up always tow in 3rd....

[riverside]

Thought that was what the "tow" button on the end of the shifter is for?

[bud8fan]

here ya go riverside...3600 for a used radix!!!!!:
Radix 112 for sale 3600.00 - PerformanceTrucks.net Forums

[Ramsey]

ya know i had similar issues when towing ,but it was with my centrifical s/c wich in theary shouldnt have done it.i havent had a magna charger but from what i know they run out up high so i dk if thats the solution for ya .now heres what worked for me .i installed a larger cfm centr,s/c .what i mean is i went to a 1500 cfm from 1k cfm centrifical.i went from vortec sc unit to a paxton and its a night and day diff.up high down low ets all over.so my thought is maybe a larger turbo might be the answer.my 2 cents.but it worked for me i was super impressed and i had the same problem towing my 28 ft trailer.

[Botlfed]

yea im pretty sure the tow haul button works fine dude keeps it in third, i thought but it sounds like thats not the case for you.