500-550 rwhp buildup

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banshee

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Sep 28, 2006
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I have a buddy with a '03 LB7 2500 4X4 who is wanting to get the truck somewhere in the neighborhood of 500-550 rwhp and around high 12 second capable. He currently runs a TST Powermax only with an intake/4" exhaust combo, but is otherwise stock. He's looking into tranny mods/programmers/turbos, etc. to get to his goal. No nitrous, and the truck is used for heavy towing quite often. The stock tranny is starting to go and he's getting some shuddering with heavy loads under high power (slipping clutches/converter is my take). I wanted to poll the gurus to see what the best way to get there would be. I know that roadmap for the Dodges pretty well, but am out of the loop on the latest from the GM camp. Any help you guys can provide would be great... thanks!
 
There is a post about building 500 with the big 3 here.

Basically, EFILive (with the right tuning), Lift pump, exhaust, trans and he will be about 500

Turbo would bump to about 540-560 without addding a CP3 pump
 
I would suggest EFI live, a built suncoast tranny, lift pumps, and a Garrett GT40R to add to his current stuff.
 
The truck has to go to a tuner for an EFI live setup, correct? No "mail order" tunes? If the truck has to be there is there anyone around the Richmond, VA area?
 
banshee said:
The truck has to go to a tuner for an EFI live setup, correct? No "mail order" tunes? If the truck has to be there is there anyone around the Richmond, VA area?
Click to expand...

you can buy an ecm. might wanna check with Tony at Ridgerunner. he's a vendor here i believe. Mooneshine through the mail...i think thats illegal!:hehe:
 
i would say if he is getting some slippage or shuddering, that he should break down and get the tranny built he probably has some burnt up clutches. especially if he runs the programmer very high at all with a heavy load. a transgo jr. on the 5spd tranny does not do much for holding extra power. the full transgo kit does not hold the power he want to run atleast not for long. if i were him i would look at suncoast stage IV its only a little more expensive than the stage III. both kits include new converter. or ats stage II.

efi live

lift pump

Release Valve Shim Kit

and i assume he has gauges.

this would get you around 500rwhp
 
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pa_coalminer said:
i would say if he is getting some slippage or shuddering, that he should break down and get the tranny built he probably has some burnt up clutches. especially if he runs the programmer very high at all with a heavy load. a transgo jr. on the 5spd tranny does not do much for holding extra power. the full transgo kit does not hold the power he want to run atleast not for long. if i were him i would look at suncoast stage IV its only a little more expensive than the stage III. both kits include new converter. or ats stage II.

efi live

lift pump

Release Valve Shim Kit

and i assume he has gauges.

this would get you around 500rwhp
Click to expand...

LB7 does not have a release valve.

Built trans, lift pump, big tune, and rock on!:rockwoot:
 
Talked with my buddy last night and passed along everyone's advice. He's going to call the tranny makers and chat with them. He's planning to try to get that done in the next couple weeks and will then go with EFI live. The truck has 150K on it, so I'm confident the tranny has some pretty good wear inside, especially with the added power. Thanks again for all the help guys!!
 
havent been on in a while but here is my advice,get a tranny i reccomend suncoast with a co pilot.the holley black bule or red will work just fine.as for tuning get in touch with steve cole at tts.he tunes out stuff and is the best there is....jess
 
I second what Bones said. However, if you want something "turn key" on the fuel.... Call Kennedy Diesel, Super Diesel or one of our Vendors here. They should have ALL the parts nessary for installing a lift-pump system. Also, I believe any of COMP Diesels vendors would walk you through their parts install. ;)
 
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Tell your buddy to get the dsp5 switch that away he can have one bad a$$ tow tune with efi live along with a smoke tune and 3 race tunes
 
2 questions:
When you buy tunes for EFI live, do you guys somehow transfer files and upload them, or do you just get the numbers to plug in?

Also, off topic, how much hp should you be making before you worry about head studs on LB7s?
 
lb7 can make more hp than your stock rods can make and the head bolts will still be hangin tough
 
Its boost that you have to worry about, our headgasket is bad and we were running 45 psi on bolts.
 
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