5.3L towing

t.tosto · 04-20-2020, 06:31 PM

Looking for recommendations for improving torque/horsepower as it relates to towing. Have 2008 Avalanche 5.3L, interested in tuner type mods, anyone have experience in trying these? What brands are better? Thanks, Tony.

gmonde · 04-20-2020, 07:57 PM

LSA supercharger! stock pulley will give you about 7-8 psi ,, problem with a tune is if your running on the lean side it might be an issue under constant load ,even my 6.0l is kind of a turd on those long hills

Adger Smith · 04-21-2020, 03:40 AM

I bought my 2005 heavy half Dual cab with a towing package. I think it was listed at 295 HP. It came with 3.73 gears. Does well. I've pulled a 8500 lb load from Cal. to Texas and 12,000 load from Ft. Campbell Ky to Tx. Now has over 200,000 miles. No tuner work with stock sized tires. The transmission tow mode is a life saver. Might want to get with Ed Wright on a tune up. I have a buddy that we pulled the heads on his 2008 Ext cab and did some minor work on the heads and put an AFM delete on it. Some mail order guy in Missouri did the computer. We put 3.73 gears in it. It does a real good job.

Chuck Gallagher · 04-26-2020, 02:53 PM

Tony;
I'm guessing your 5.3L truck wasn't originally assembled with the trailer towing option which my similar 4 door Silverado does have.
Mine is rated to tow an 8500# trailer. It pulls my 7500# loaded Sooner 24' fine up any hill. When I go up long steep hills I put the trans in 2nd gear and set the cruise at 52 MPH. That keeps the engine under 4000 RPM.
If I owned your truck I would do the following.
Change the axle ratio to either 3:73 or better yet 4:10. Be sure to fill the axle with full synthetic gear lube. Go to the shortest tire your wheels will mount and within your rated load spec.
Put a temp gauge on the trans and don't let it get over 220 degrees. If it does you need more cooler. Use nothing but the best full synthetic engine oil and change it and the filter often.
If your truck is a 4 wheel drive ignore all of the above and trade it for a truck with the trailer towing option.
I can not recommend any changes to the engine.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Chuck

ss3011 · 04-26-2020, 08:56 PM

I have a 2013 Silverado 4x4 with the Z71 package . It has HD towing and has a 6 spd automatic , 3.42 rear end ratio , and the optional integrated brake controller . This package works well with a open wheeled trailer , but would need more power if you wanted to tow an enclosed trailer . I also have a 2015 extended wheel base 1 ton Chevy Express passenger van , with a 6.0 L , 6 spd automatic , and a 3.42 rear gear . That van pulls and 24' enclosed trailer like a dream . It is a very capable tow rig !

04-20-2020, 06:31 PM	#1
t.tosto Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 154 Likes: 116 Liked 62 Times in 23 Posts	5.3L towing Looking for recommendations for improving torque/horsepower as it relates to towing. Have 2008 Avalanche 5.3L, interested in tuner type mods, anyone have experience in trying these? What brands are better? Thanks, Tony.

04-20-2020, 07:57 PM	#2
gmonde Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 615 Likes: 56 Liked 165 Times in 59 Posts	Re: 5.3L towing LSA supercharger! stock pulley will give you about 7-8 psi ,, problem with a tune is if your running on the lean side it might be an issue under constant load ,even my 6.0l is kind of a turd on those long hills

04-21-2020, 03:40 AM	#3
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	Re: 5.3L towing I bought my 2005 heavy half Dual cab with a towing package. I think it was listed at 295 HP. It came with 3.73 gears. Does well. I've pulled a 8500 lb load from Cal. to Texas and 12,000 load from Ft. Campbell Ky to Tx. Now has over 200,000 miles. No tuner work with stock sized tires. The transmission tow mode is a life saver. Might want to get with Ed Wright on a tune up. I have a buddy that we pulled the heads on his 2008 Ext cab and did some minor work on the heads and put an AFM delete on it. Some mail order guy in Missouri did the computer. We put 3.73 gears in it. It does a real good job. __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)

04-26-2020, 02:53 PM	#4
Chuck Gallagher Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: NC (nothing compares) Posts: 48 Likes: 33 Liked 134 Times in 28 Posts	Re: 5.3L towing Tony; I'm guessing your 5.3L truck wasn't originally assembled with the trailer towing option which my similar 4 door Silverado does have. Mine is rated to tow an 8500# trailer. It pulls my 7500# loaded Sooner 24' fine up any hill. When I go up long steep hills I put the trans in 2nd gear and set the cruise at 52 MPH. That keeps the engine under 4000 RPM. If I owned your truck I would do the following. Change the axle ratio to either 3:73 or better yet 4:10. Be sure to fill the axle with full synthetic gear lube. Go to the shortest tire your wheels will mount and within your rated load spec. Put a temp gauge on the trans and don't let it get over 220 degrees. If it does you need more cooler. Use nothing but the best full synthetic engine oil and change it and the filter often. If your truck is a 4 wheel drive ignore all of the above and trade it for a truck with the trailer towing option. I can not recommend any changes to the engine. Hope this helps. Good luck. Chuck

04-26-2020, 08:56 PM	#5
ss3011 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 909 Likes: 70 Liked 239 Times in 114 Posts	Re: 5.3L towing I have a 2013 Silverado 4x4 with the Z71 package . It has HD towing and has a 6 spd automatic , 3.42 rear end ratio , and the optional integrated brake controller . This package works well with a open wheeled trailer , but would need more power if you wanted to tow an enclosed trailer . I also have a 2015 extended wheel base 1 ton Chevy Express passenger van , with a 6.0 L , 6 spd automatic , and a 3.42 rear gear . That van pulls and 24' enclosed trailer like a dream . It is a very capable tow rig !