Engine upgrade questions

[Crooks1130]

Been lurking here for years and finally posting. I recently bought a QC Laramie so now my RC express is a project truck. I have a general idea of what all I need but wanted some opinions on what all I need to do.

What I am working with:
2014 Regular Cab Express
5.7, 6 speed, 3.21 gears, open diff
180,000+ miles

All stock except:
2/4 drop, 22” wheels, pedal commander, and electric cutout

As of now these are the items I have sitting on my list to order, wanting to know if I’m missing anything or if I should go a different route. Keep in mind this truck will likely never see a track, just something to enjoy working on and drive here and there.

JBA 1-3/4 Longtube Headers with Y pipe to delete cats. Debating on keeping stock muffle and just having the cutout when I want to play.

Vararam Air Grabber Intake

Billet catch can, is it worth it??

Greene Racing Stage .5 HL v2 205/222 “Thump” cam, PAC 1211x .625 lift springs, chromoly retainers, custom locators, shims, hardened pushrods, Hellcat lifters. I have read a lot saying the “Thump” feature takes away from power but I’m curious on if it’s drastic or just something you would see on a track slip. To me that mean idle is beautiful.

Diablo with custom tune. Besides the fancy screen and track features, are there really any benefits of the Trinity T2 over the i3 DCX?

With having such a high mileage truck, is there anything else I should be changing while I am neck deep in this?

After I finish installing all of this it will go to a shop for 4.10 gears, LS differential, and maybe a torque converter but not sure if it will be needed.

Any comments or opinions are more than welcome, I’m still trying to figure all of this out before I start pulling triggers.

 

[tidefan1967]

I would go with the 4.10’s and LS first if it was me. Big time gains for what I consider a reasonable amount of money.

 

[James OBrien]

I think the big question you have to ask yourself is do you want to pull the motor. If yes, and you can afford the downtime and cost then have the whole motor refreshed. If not, you'll have excellent gains with the .5 cam, replace the lifters, maybe have the heads cleaned up (I'm sure your exhaust valves are due for a replacement at least) and check your cylinder conditions. A cam, headers, and tune will make a massive distance, I don't think you'll see a big impact with Jay's thump cam versus the regular .5HL. With the 6 speed tranny it sounds like 4.10 gears are the best choice for better getup and go.

After 180k not sure the catch can will do much for you unless you were going to add forced induction.

 

[Crooks1130]

I would go with the 4.10’s and LS first if it was me. Big time gains for what I consider a reasonable amount of money.

I plan on doing both for sure. I’m pressed for time with work so may do the gears then order everything else. Gears I will have to pay the shop, Cam I am going to tackle myself.

Any idea if it would be a lot easier to do the headers during the cam install with everything out of the way?

 

[MADDOG]

Big nope on any advantage of the Trinity over the other Diablosport tuners.

Regardless of which one you buy you do need to get one that will accept custom tunes if you have need of one.

 

[Crooks1130]

I think the big question you have to ask yourself is do you want to pull the motor. If yes, and you can afford the downtime and cost then have the whole motor refreshed. If not, you'll have excellent gains with the .5 cam, replace the lifters, maybe have the heads cleaned up (I'm sure your exhaust valves are due for a replacement at least) and check your cylinder conditions. A cam, headers, and tune will make a massive distance, I don't think you'll see a big impact with Jay's thump cam versus the regular .5HL. With the 6 speed tranny it sounds like 4.10 gears are the best choice for better getup and go.

After 180k not sure the catch can will do much for you unless you were going to add forced induction.

Unfortunately pulling the engine isn’t an option. Knock on wood everything inside doesn’t look too bad. About 130,000 of those miles are running 75mph on cruise for hours at a time. The only issue I have ever had out of it was the bearing going out on the water pump.

Also does anyone know if the cam kits come with all the gaskets and new head bolts needed or is this something I need to add to the list?

 

[Crooks1130]

Big nope on any advantage of the Trinity over the other Diablosport tuners.

Regardless of which one you buy you do need to get one that will accept custom tunes if you have need of one.

Thanks, that’s what I needed to know. I believe I’m going with the i3 then.

 

[MADDOG]

Good choice if you don't need or want the gauge display of the Trinity.

 

[1SloRam]

Unfortunately pulling the engine isn’t an option. Knock on wood everything inside doesn’t look too bad. About 130,000 of those miles are running 75mph on cruise for hours at a time. The only issue I have ever had out of it was the bearing going out on the water pump.

Also does anyone know if the cam kits come with all the gaskets and new head bolts needed or is this something I need to add to the list?

Kit does not include gaskets, head bolts, or fluids (coolant and oil plus oil filter). May wanna throw in a 180° thermostat while you’re at it, won’t hurt and you’ll run cooler after the new tune. And definitely easier to install headers while in there for the cam, more room the better. I am in the process of this myself and this is info I’ve gathered from the forum.

 

[Crooks1130]

Kit does not include gaskets, head bolts, or fluids (coolant and oil plus oil filter). May wanna throw in a 180° thermostat while you’re at it, won’t hurt and you’ll run cooler after the new tune. And definitely easier to install headers while in there for the cam, more room the better. I am in the process of this myself and this is info I’ve gathered from the forum.

Awesome, I will add those to my shopping list!! I appreciate the insight from everyone. Last thing I want is to be in the middle of this project and realized I forgot something simple that halts the entire thing.

 

[Wild one]

Awesome, I will add those to my shopping list!! I appreciate the insight from everyone. Last thing I want is to be in the middle of this project and realized I forgot something simple that halts the entire thing.

New cam and crank bolts are worth having to

 

[Crooks1130]

Havnt talked to Jay Greene personally but everything I see seems like he’s pretty slammed with work, to the point he doesn’t want anymore right now. Moe’s is next on the list and only 2 hours away from where I am currently working. Waiting on a reply from them to see what we can figure out

 

[Crooks1130]

Ready to order everything and putting together a tool list now. Does anyone know off hand if I need to buy the special tool from Shley to pull the harmonic balancer or will just any universal 3 jaw puller get it?