Best Performance Upgrades for 8.1L/496

CHEVYHD496 · 02-19-2009, 10:38 PM

ok guys, i know some of the upgrades for the 496, but not all of them! i started this thread as kind of a mythbuster thingy. who has done what? what works, and what doesnt? im sure alot of people would be interested to know. i know for a fact, DONT REMOVE THE CATS!!

shep · 02-19-2009, 10:44 PM

I try to keep up with the 8.1 mods as there is a chance one might find it's way into my 72. That being said...

Why can't you delete the cats and get a custom tune that tells the computer it's ok to not have them?

CHEVYHD496 · 02-19-2009, 10:48 PM

its possible you could. but these engines were designed to have cats. these engines aint like the old engines that werent designed to have em and GM slapped em on em anyways. And possibly the greatest upgrade for the 496, RAYLAR POWER

GetSome8.1HD · 02-20-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEVYHD496

i know for a fact, DONT REMOVE THE CATS!!

Pretty sure I told ya that

Look at my sig. Everything there is proven reliable and good upgrades. If ya want more than that your going to have to get FI or Raylar. these are made for working..not a race car.

Although its pretty damn fast for a truck N/A.

Pokoki · 02-20-2009, 04:41 PM

The Raylar products look nice, but I think it was Tierod who used the complete Raylar package and could not get close to the advertised engine output. Plus they are VERY EXPENSIVE

Tierod, correct me if I am wrong.

Right now, the best mod for the money for the 8.1L is a custom tune.

GetSome8.1HD · 02-20-2009, 05:43 PM

Raylar advertises their numbers for most likely marine applications since thats mainly what they do it for. Alot difference when your talking trans from marine and Allison in terms of parasitic loss.

CHEVYHD496 · 02-20-2009, 10:17 PM

yeah the raylar stuff is expensive but i think it would still be cool to put it on. but the reason i started this thread was just to inform people, and maybe get some new opinions. like has anyone used the bbk throttle body for the 496? and what about a diff pulley system? and what is a turbulence reducer?

GetSome8.1HD · 02-20-2009, 11:33 PM

Both are worthless

CHEVYHD496 · 02-20-2009, 11:38 PM

you think the raylar kit is worthless?

GetSome8.1HD · 02-21-2009, 12:51 AM

No not the Raylar. The turbulence reducer and TB spacer. Junk. Spend it elsewhere. The actual TB is really not worth it either IMO. It still reduces to your manifold opening so theres really no point unless you bore that out also. Just buy a Raylar intake if your going that route. Not much to do to these motors without a shitload of money. Buy a Camaro

02-19-2009, 10:38 PM	#1
CHEVYHD496 Diesel Technician Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 330 Garage: active iTrader: (0)	Best Performance Upgrades for 8.1L/496 ok guys, i know some of the upgrades for the 496, but not all of them! i started this thread as kind of a mythbuster thingy. who has done what? what works, and what doesnt? im sure alot of people would be interested to know. i know for a fact, DONT REMOVE THE CATS!! __________________ 02' Chevy 2500HD 496 BBC/Allison 5spd,NP-SHD 261 Manual TC,EC/LB 4x4,3.73,Onyx Black,07 classic tow mirrors,4" lift, 33" BFG A/T,American Racing Baja rims,AirRaid CAI,180' t-stat, .045 gapped A/C Delco Irridium,MSD plug wires,Stainless Works 1 7/8 Long-Tube Headers,Magnaflow Tru-X muffler,Magnaflow high-flow cats,3" all the way,Mag-Hytec diff cover and tranny pan 95' Chevy S10 2.2L/5spd RC/LB 2WD 71' Chevy C-10 350/Turbo-400 RC/LB 2wd, 496BBC coming soon! 76' Chevy K-20 350/4spd RC/LB 4x4 Bigger Bore. Longer Stroke. Chevy Big Block U.S. Marine Corps 0331 Heavy Machinegunner 06'-Present
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02-19-2009, 10:44 PM	#2
shep Diesel Specialist Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adams, TN Posts: 912 Garage: active iTrader: (0) TN Diesel Place Club Member	I try to keep up with the 8.1 mods as there is a chance one might find it's way into my 72. That being said... Why can't you delete the cats and get a custom tune that tells the computer it's ok to not have them? __________________ '04.5 Silver Birch RCLB LLY Ally Edge 4" MBRP aFe drop in & torque tube Kodiak MP EGR blocked PCV detoured 4" TC lift SD link & sleeves Nitto 325/60's on 18x12 Pacer 185's 1972 Cheyenne K20 "Don't worry 'bout the DURAMAX, just load the sled!" - Shep "God Bless America, And The Farmer That Feeds Your Fat A$$!" - Old AGR Saying 2 Door Club Member #16 - TN DP Club Member http://www.alligatorperformance.com/
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02-19-2009, 10:48 PM	#3
CHEVYHD496 Diesel Technician Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 330 Garage: active iTrader: (0)	its possible you could. but these engines were designed to have cats. these engines aint like the old engines that werent designed to have em and GM slapped em on em anyways. And possibly the greatest upgrade for the 496, RAYLAR POWER __________________ 02' Chevy 2500HD 496 BBC/Allison 5spd,NP-SHD 261 Manual TC,EC/LB 4x4,3.73,Onyx Black,07 classic tow mirrors,4" lift, 33" BFG A/T,American Racing Baja rims,AirRaid CAI,180' t-stat, .045 gapped A/C Delco Irridium,MSD plug wires,Stainless Works 1 7/8 Long-Tube Headers,Magnaflow Tru-X muffler,Magnaflow high-flow cats,3" all the way,Mag-Hytec diff cover and tranny pan 95' Chevy S10 2.2L/5spd RC/LB 2WD 71' Chevy C-10 350/Turbo-400 RC/LB 2wd, 496BBC coming soon! 76' Chevy K-20 350/4spd RC/LB 4x4 Bigger Bore. Longer Stroke. Chevy Big Block U.S. Marine Corps 0331 Heavy Machinegunner 06'-Present
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02-20-2009, 04:41 PM	#5
Pokoki Diesel Technician Join Date: May 2007 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 190 Garage: active iTrader: (0)	The Raylar products look nice, but I think it was Tierod who used the complete Raylar package and could not get close to the advertised engine output. Plus they are VERY EXPENSIVE Tierod, correct me if I am wrong. Right now, the best mod for the money for the 8.1L is a custom tune. __________________ 01 2500 HD 4x4 Crew Cab short bed with the 8.1 and the Allison. Upgraded cam, Trick Flow valve train, K&N FIPK with AEM filter, .045 gapped Delco platinum’s, Taylor Extreme Wires, 180 degree thermostat, Flowmaster Big Block exhaust, and HP tuned. SOLD 2007 Toyota Yaris type S - daily driver 2007.5 Toyota Yaris type S - wife's 2004 Titan SE 4x4 - SOLD 1996 Toyota Tacoma Solid Axle Dana 60 - SOLD
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02-20-2009, 05:43 PM	#6
GetSome8.1HD Diesel Master Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Not here Posts: 4,162 Garage: active iTrader: (0)	Raylar advertises their numbers for most likely marine applications since thats mainly what they do it for. Alot difference when your talking trans from marine and Allison in terms of parasitic loss.
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02-20-2009, 10:17 PM	#7
CHEVYHD496 Diesel Technician Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 330 Garage: active iTrader: (0)	yeah the raylar stuff is expensive but i think it would still be cool to put it on. but the reason i started this thread was just to inform people, and maybe get some new opinions. like has anyone used the bbk throttle body for the 496? and what about a diff pulley system? and what is a turbulence reducer? __________________ 02' Chevy 2500HD 496 BBC/Allison 5spd,NP-SHD 261 Manual TC,EC/LB 4x4,3.73,Onyx Black,07 classic tow mirrors,4" lift, 33" BFG A/T,American Racing Baja rims,AirRaid CAI,180' t-stat, .045 gapped A/C Delco Irridium,MSD plug wires,Stainless Works 1 7/8 Long-Tube Headers,Magnaflow Tru-X muffler,Magnaflow high-flow cats,3" all the way,Mag-Hytec diff cover and tranny pan 95' Chevy S10 2.2L/5spd RC/LB 2WD 71' Chevy C-10 350/Turbo-400 RC/LB 2wd, 496BBC coming soon! 76' Chevy K-20 350/4spd RC/LB 4x4 Bigger Bore. Longer Stroke. Chevy Big Block U.S. Marine Corps 0331 Heavy Machinegunner 06'-Present
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02-20-2009, 11:33 PM	#8
GetSome8.1HD Diesel Master Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Not here Posts: 4,162 Garage: active iTrader: (0)	Both are worthless
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02-20-2009, 11:38 PM	#9
CHEVYHD496 Diesel Technician Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 330 Garage: active iTrader: (0)	you think the raylar kit is worthless? __________________ 02' Chevy 2500HD 496 BBC/Allison 5spd,NP-SHD 261 Manual TC,EC/LB 4x4,3.73,Onyx Black,07 classic tow mirrors,4" lift, 33" BFG A/T,American Racing Baja rims,AirRaid CAI,180' t-stat, .045 gapped A/C Delco Irridium,MSD plug wires,Stainless Works 1 7/8 Long-Tube Headers,Magnaflow Tru-X muffler,Magnaflow high-flow cats,3" all the way,Mag-Hytec diff cover and tranny pan 95' Chevy S10 2.2L/5spd RC/LB 2WD 71' Chevy C-10 350/Turbo-400 RC/LB 2wd, 496BBC coming soon! 76' Chevy K-20 350/4spd RC/LB 4x4 Bigger Bore. Longer Stroke. Chevy Big Block U.S. Marine Corps 0331 Heavy Machinegunner 06'-Present
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02-21-2009, 12:51 AM	#10
GetSome8.1HD Diesel Master Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Not here Posts: 4,162 Garage: active iTrader: (0)	No not the Raylar. The turbulence reducer and TB spacer. Junk. Spend it elsewhere. The actual TB is really not worth it either IMO. It still reduces to your manifold opening so theres really no point unless you bore that out also. Just buy a Raylar intake if your going that route. Not much to do to these motors without a shitload of money. Buy a Camaro
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