Where should I begin with my 4.8??

[RU11550]

First off, thanks for having such a badass site. I have a bone stock 2005 2WD Tahoe, which is desperately in need of some modifications. What would you guys recommend to start off with (intake, headers, tuner, etc.). Also, what brands have you guys found to be the best. With a million out there, I want to buy the best the first time.

Looking to get some new life out of the engine, and then plan on lowering it next.

[Chevy-Art]

Step 1: http://www.nelsonperformance.com/
What best brand are you talking about?
Where are you located?

[RU11550]

I am located in Livermore CA. With all the different brands (K&N, Air Raid, Volant, etc), what have you all found works best. I know I can buy some cheap stuff online, but will $50 intakes be a waste of time? My tahoe is a dog off the line, and I would like to help it out a bit before I start to think extreme.

[Slow04xcab]

For the money your going to spend on the 4.8 you could easily buy a 6.0 and be way ahead.

[kerrige]

For the money your going to spend on the 4.8 you could easily buy a 6.0 and be way ahead.

Agreed a 6.0 swap is your best bet in California. You will spend right around 2k, but you will net 80rwhp. Here is some quick math.
Headers $500
High flow cats $500
Catback $400
Tune $300
Intake $250 you will need a Cali legal intake the $50 ones aren't legal.
All that will net maybe 45rwhp.
Basically you will spend 2k in a hurry for Cali legal mods and get way less power.

[kewljay223]

Agreed a 6.0 swap is your best bet in California. You will spend right around 2k, but you will net 80rwhp. Here is some quick math.
Headers $500
High flow cats $500
Catback $400
Tune $300
Intake $250 you will need a Cali legal intake the $50 ones aren't legal.
All that will net maybe 45rwhp.
Basically you will spend 2k in a hurry for Cali legal mods and get way less power.

headers and HF cats in cali??? HA! i wish!! LT's anyway.... i think they make shorties that are legal but from what ive read, GM did a pretty good job on the design of the stockers that the cost vs gain really isnt worth it. unless you have the spare cash, NEED the extra power and/or want the chrome... not saying i wouldnt if i had the cash though...

i passed my swap with a spectre intake that is legal and is only 150 bucks (reason i chose it).. as for it vs kn&n or others... who the hell knows but are you really gonna notice 5 horses? Just sayin. good luck!!

BTW, i have a 6.0 if you have anything more than a reg cab, just go with the motor swap. its basicallly a direct bolt/plug in for you. plus the thing looks basically identical on the outside... smog tech might not even notice it!!!

[RU11550]

Man, you guys sure know how to rain on a parade, but you make a lot of sense. My tahoe has very low miles, so maybe when the engine dies I jump on that 6.0 swap.

[kewljay223]

Man, you guys sure know how to rain on a parade

hey hey now. isnt it always nice and clear after a storm???

anyway, you didnt say if this was a daily. if its not registered for street, then forget what i said. you can get whatever you want!

but if yoyour gonna do a legal swap, heres a tip... the ref uses the vin in the pcm to base everything off of. so if you want a 6.0, find an lq4 if you dont mind the lower compresion as they are way cheaper than the lq9. then just get the pcm vin changed to a legit lq9 equipped vehicle (0bviously one that isnt being used in the dmv system) and you should be good to go as the motors are essentially identicle..

[jansen]

Best bang for your buck in California would be a tune, gears, and stall.

[kerrige]

CARB approved LTs and cats do exist. Right around $1000 for a bolt on setup.