Im contemplating supercharging my tow rig. It's cheaper than buying a diesel, and I really like this truck. Sooo, I wanna supercharge it. I did a little research and it looks like it will be ok towing, but anybody have any experience with forced induction gas engine tow rigs? If it matter its an '03 silverado 2500HD 6.0 with 33k miles, and I will probably get the intercooled radix system, and install some headers at the same time, with a good tune on the ECM.
The roots style system is better for low end power while a centrifugical style is better for top end power. So the radix (roots) style setup would work well I would think. You just have to make sure you don't run too much boost and start pinging under load (up hill towing). You will kill your pistons in no time if it's pinging. The downsides, other than possible meltdown, is having to run premium which would suck with gas prices right now. I say drop in a 12 valve and be done with it imp:
DO IT! Ive got a friend with a blown 454 suburban, and it just plain hauls ass.. passes everything.. except gas stations Scott
whats the cost of the SC? I thought about as well, only thing holding me back is the wife wants four full doors :doah:
BECAREFUL! I've seen a couple late 5.7 roast pistons while towing. Like Jason said nothing but 91 or better. Damn how fast do you want to tow? BTW how much is that setup gonna cost compaired to a Diesel rig? You are also going to shorten the crap out of the engine's life by 2:1 supercharging it.
Its around $5k for a Radix, plus $500 for the ECM retune, $700 for The other guys headers, and probably about $500 for a shift kit, and misc stuff. So figure around $6500, but you would be looking at over 400hp, and close to 500ft/lbs of torque out of a small block. imp:
Oh yeah, a diesel will cost me over $70 a month more if I can sell my truck for the price I want, and get the diesel like I want for the right price. Also we have one of those joe gibbs supercharged Tahoes at work and HOLY CRAP, that thing is as fast as a ford lightening.
Ok look at it this way. The $6500 clams you spend on that truck will be a complete loss when you sell it. I believe the Diesel will holds it's resale alot better. Are looking at a new truck or used (Diesel).
New, used it doesnt matter, whatever can keep my payment at $300 a month. But the way I see it is if I dont like the S/C I can always put it on my blazer which is going to get a 6.0 in the not so long away future.
That 6.0 in the Blazer would be Bitchin and a complete freak with the S/C. If you could handle a Dodge I'm know for a fact you could a 94 up for under $300 a month with a Cummins. I paid $11,800 for my 95 3500 4x4 CTD with 128,000 on the clock. Those good deals are out there.
I know I can get a diesel for under $300 a month, but am i likely to find a truck as nice as mine for that price? no, and I have to drive a chevy(long story), so it looks like im stuck with the truck i got, plus it would be different, cause everybody builds big 'ol diesel power houses, so why cant i build me a little gasser that does just as good.
Well go ahead and build it but it'll only live a fifth of a Diesels life span. As you may already know a Diesel is in comfortable being lugged for long periods of time and bulit proof that way but a supercharged gas :doah: I'm gonna stop now because I'm starting to sound like Diesel salesman . Good luck with the project waytogo .
You can get over 600 lb/ft STOCK with a diesel, get double the fuel mileage and have the reliability factor. :stir:
