2002 4.8 Needs more power

[buckbarker]

I have a 2002 4.8 that needs more mountain climbing power. I live 2 hours north of Phoenix at an altitude of 5000 feet. When climbing the hill I need more power!!!!! I was thinking about a "chip". What do yall think?

[GMMerlin]

Unfortunatly you are the proud owner of a 292 cubic inch V8.

You may find some performance calibrations out there, but you should have gotten the 5.3 option.

[buckbarker]

I know what I should have done but now I need to know what I CAN do to wake this thing up!

[jthomp2377]

There are those companies out there who claim this chip will increase the horse power. But from my understanding this can shorting the life of the tranny. Personally my thoughts is GM was ludicrious to put that 4.8 into powering a 6000+ lb vehicle. The nucklehead engineer must of lived in florida where its flat. The 5.3 is plently of power, but even then, questionable on very steep inclines. Though my wife loves her HOE.

[GMMerlin]

Originally Posted by jthomp2377

There are those companies out there who claim this chip will increase the horse power. But from my understanding this can shorting the life of the tranny. Personally my thoughts is GM was ludicrious to put that 4.8 into powering a 6000+ lb vehicle. The nucklehead engineer must of lived in florida where its flat. The 5.3 is plently of power, but even then, questionable on very steep inclines. Though my wife loves her HOE.

Don't be so quick to blame GM for installing the 4.8 in those trucks..or even the 4.3 V6..Look towards the Goverment and the CAFE standards.
To meet the CAFE standards, the automotive manufactors have to smaller engines to meet fuel mileage standards........
It is up to you, the consumer to purchase the vehicle that fits your needs. You need to educate yourself about the vehicle you are about to purchase and deal with a dealer who will meet your needs.

[95tahoe4x4]

O.K. now that we are all done pointing fingers, how about an option or two.

First, how much do you want to spend? Once you figure that out, I am sure a performance shop in Phoenix will gladly take your cash. Shop around, online and in the phone book, there are a lot of options out there. Some of this stuff you could do yourself.

Before chipping it look into a K&N air filter flow system, be careful they can get $pendy. I know they make one for yours, and if you do not mind a little louder cabin, look into a flowmaster exhaust with a 3" pipe, get the smooth mandrel bent pipe, better flow.

A chip is good, it could possibly lead to other problems, but changing the air flow in and out can't hurt a thing. Most of the guys running around with the big diesels will chip them but not change the exhuast, and they are not happy with the chip, you need to open up the flow, that is why you can get the exhuast systems for those things that are over 4" in diameter. It allows the engine to breath!

Also check into a performance Mass Air Flow sensor, and maybe even into header(which i would stay away from). After opening up the air flow and you are still not happy, THEN I would chip it.

These are just suggestions, but if you want performance it is going to cost you (set a budget!) But if you want a cheap, high HP, fix.....Ha, ha, good luck.

Later, let me know what you end up doing.

KT

[Kevellis32]

I live in the mtns too, up here in CO, I have the 5.7 which id say still lacks some power at this altitude but there really isn't much you can do.
A few minor impovements ive made are dynomax muffler, K&N cold air kit(cheaper if u buy the kit on ebay without the K&N filter then buy the filter in a auto parts store) underdrive pulley(be careful if you have an ungraded stereo b/c it takes power from ur alternator so ur battery can die alot quicker), but id have to say the best improvement was a polished header which isn't to $$...all in all id say its only about 25extra HP but well worth every penny when im climbing the pass to get into the ski resorts with 6 people and our crap in my truck. You will also see a great improvement in gas mileage. Mine went up close to 2-3mpg in the city and 4-5 on the highway after everything. You wanna go $$$$$, get a whipple supercharge...thatll give you around 100more HP, but bad on gas mileage and very expensive.
AND one thing i just bought on ebay for around 65 including shipping that ive heard only great things from is a throttle body spacer. hoping it does what it says it will