Community Forums

Nick B · 04-02-2015, 10:04 PM

Folks, have been wondering if fitting a low pressure intercooled supercharger to my 2008 4.8L GMC might be a good idea.

Has anyone out there tried this with their tow vehicle, and would you do it again?

Nick B

wingnut60 · 04-03-2015, 08:10 AM

You can add a SC to just about any engine with enough $$$, but I don't think you would get the results you are looking for. What is the compression ratio on the 4.8--SC engines need lower compression than non-SC. Suggest you google around for some hot rodders inputs. And, no matter what, you are going to be spending a lot of time in the high-rpm ranges, and with a SC, that will eventually shorten engine life, in my opinion.
Joe

hone eagle · 04-03-2015, 11:18 AM

Cheaper to just buy the proper tow vehicle , the one for the next trailer.
There was a guy screen name 'supercharged' on RV net ,not too active lately .
He used a supercharged engine as a TV,have a look at his posts?
then again he maybe busy rebuilding it and can't post.
Your biggest hurdle is getting rid of the heat,sustained high output , say climbing a mountain pass is not the same as a 1/4 mile run.
can you say detonation and overheating just for starters

keymastr · 04-03-2015, 12:43 PM

The factory makes many changes to a vehicle when they supercharge it. You can also make those changes but it will be much more costly than just buying a more capable truck. And simply adding pulling power will do nothing for weight carrying capability of the suspension. Pulling power is the least concern compared to braking ability and weight carrying.

Todd157k · 04-03-2015, 02:07 PM

Yep, I did it. 2002 GMC 1500. Put a procharger on it. Had plenty of power after that however, like stated above, the engine would heat up real quickly on long grades. I had a regular air-to-air intercooler. 90% of the time, it was great... but I wouldn't do it again.
Here's the problem..
if you go low boost (3-4 lbs) = not much gain for the money
if you go a little more (5 lbs) = more gain, more heat, more tough on the trans/rear end
if you go to 7 lbs = Now it hauls azz.. but the trans/rear end are short lived.

Bamaman · 04-03-2015, 03:36 PM

When it comes to towing, it's all torque. And 4.8 liter motors' horsepower comes at relatively high revolutions.

You'd do better to trade for a truck with a 6.2 motor.

I do know a guy that had a 6.2 motor with a supercharger, and it loved it for pulling a heavy boat. But there are drivetrain limitiations--like the transmission--that can fail.

If you need more power than a 6.2 can put out, it's time for a diesel.

twinboat · 04-03-2015, 06:36 PM

There is a saying,

There is no Replacement for Displacement .

SeabeckS · 04-03-2015, 07:48 PM

There's another saying...

Nothing beats cubic dollars!

In this case probably a lot of cubic dollars, possibly for a short term gain.

Installing a supercharger involves much more than popping the hood and bolting it on...if you want the power train to be durable.

JIMNLIN · 04-03-2015, 08:03 PM

Back when the 460 and 454 were the big engines for pulling heavy GN trailers in a one ton DRW truck we tried running huffers on a couple of big blocks that were prepped for it.

Heat was always a issue especially on long grades. Sold both at a nice profit to boy racer type. They were fun to drive around town leaving 4 long dual black marks on the road.
We and the speed shop could never solve the heat issue when pulling even lightweight 8k-10k race car trailers.