4.8 upgrades for torque/towing?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: La Porte, TX
4.8 upgrades for torque/towing? Hey guys. I'm asking for my step-dad. So he bought a 2011 Silverado brand new and for some ungodly reason, he skimped out and got the 4.8. Well now the truck is paid off but my parents are interested in getting a travel trailer for some weekend getaways as old folks are apt to do. He sees me modding my T/A all the time so he came to me asking what he can do to get some more oomph out of that 4.8. My question is: would it be more cost effective to mod the 4.8, find a 6.0 for a swap, or just buy a new truck. His budget really isn't limited, but he isn't going to throw money away either so I'm looking for some generic (bang for the buck) advice. Thanks, Fellas.
4.8L and 4 speed trans...I'd just get another truck, if you're going to be towing a TT. You put a 6.0/6.2 in there, and then the trans will start having issues. Just end up throwing more good money after bad.
TECH Resident
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 985
Likes: 12
Get a good low mile pullout 6.0 same year so electronics
will be easy. Probably need to check into a trans. as well 4l80, might can find a pair together. In my opinion that would be the easiest
since budget is not so tight.
will be easy. Probably need to check into a trans. as well 4l80, might can find a pair together. In my opinion that would be the easiest
since budget is not so tight.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: La Porte, TX
I think he is going to go the "new truck" route. Sent me a link to a 2011 Dodge 2500 LWB with a Cummins for 27k he found. Truck only has 80k on the clock, and let's face it... If you have to pull something, its hard to beat a Cummins.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: La Porte, TX
That may be true, and I'm a GM guy to the core, but around here you can't find a Duramax with decent mileage for less than 40k unless its a used up work truck.
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Verdad Gallardo How much is the trailer weight? The 4.8 isn't a bad engine and with a few things it could really perform, anything over 10k lbs I would agree with going the other route. I work for Cummins and love the product; just a tad less than LS lol. Anyways a diesel truck is a big step up from towing a rather light trailer. Id point him in the direction of a z60 truck...the 6.0 with ls3/l92 heads.
No, the 4.8 isn't a bad engine...but when coupled with a 4spd trans, and a decently sized TT, it becomes a turd. The truck will be in 3rd on flat ground, and will definitely spend time in 2nd on grades. There is nothing you're gonna do to make a significant difference in the engines towing power, short of a roots blower.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: La Porte, TX
They are popular everywhere so your not likely to find a deal unless you luck into one. You wouldn't believe how much totaled late model diesel trucks sell for at auction....It's just crazy.
Last edited by LLLosingit; May 19, 2016 at 06:25 PM.
