Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

[jwSubMOA]

Howdy y'all. I just purchased a new Crew cab Silverado with a Gosichi wheelchair conversion and I'd like some input. The truck is a 2012 1500 2x4 with the Z71 package and a factory 3 inch body lift to accommodate the conversion. It's currently being fitted with my adaptive controls and chair clamp as you drive from the wheelchair. Once that is done the plan is to have the exposed bolt Bushwacker flairs installed along with a leveling kit. They will also install 20X9 XD Hoss black wheels with 295/55-20 Nitto Trail Grapplers.

The same shop is supposed to do the next modification, Line-X the entire truck..... I want the truck totally blacked out and as close to maintenance free appearance wise as possible. This particular Line-X is called Xtra and has a slight shine that seals and doesn't fade.

The last mod is really more for shits and giggles than must have. A local shop is a certified installer for Edelbrock's Echarger supercharger kits. I asked for a qoute to install the kit along with stainless long tube headers and stainless side exit exhaust. I was originally told to expect near 500hp at the wheels from the 5.3 Vortec at I think 6 psi boost. Today when I went to pull the trigger on this he told me I "might" get 300 hp to the wheels! It's been a while since I fooled with this stuff but that sounds reeaaalllyyy wrong. My other option is the headers, exhaust, cold air intake, programmer and a dyno tune.

My questions are thus. Has anyone here had their vehicle fully Line-X coated and what did you think? I wanted the supercharger to make up for the increased weight of this truck, anyone had one installed? How happy are any of you that own one with the 5.3L power?

The picture I've posted is a similar truck I considered buying but it would have taken several months to have it converted. Mine will be almost the same. Thanks guys for your time!

 

[Wolvenhaven]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

A friend of mine had an old suburban completely painted in rhinolining(when it first came out years ago) and it's what we would always take camping and shooting. It really is a scratch and ding free, no maintenance paint job; short of shooting the thing, I don't really think you could damage the bodywork.

 

[Maggot]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

With oil expected to reach $150.00 a barrell in the next few years, Id suggest selling it and getting a Prius.

Did you know that its pronounced ..."Pry-us", as in "After the accelerator stuck and we crashed, they had to 'pry us' out of it.

A Maggot original.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

FWIW, we've got a guy local to here, that has painted his whole truck with RockerGuard. I believe he said it took 11 spray-cans to do it, but it both looked great as well as was tough-as-nails, too.

As to your other accoutrements and additions, good luck with them. I can talk a bit about a pro-charger on a V-Twin, but not nuthing on a truck. Sounds like you're making quite the 'cockpit' for your hand controls. Without saying, you're going to seriously beef up the security system, eh?

Show us a few 'after' pics.

 

[jwSubMOA]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

Thanks for the responses! Sean, I can't really mess with hotrods like I used to so I figure I'll hotrod what I can drive! On a different note, a local dealer has a used Subaru WRX cheap. If I can figure out how to drive a 5 speed with one arm and one leg,it's on like Donkey Kong!

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

jwSub,

Paddle-shifters on the wheel, and an 'air-operated' clutch. That work for you?

 

[Maggot]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sean the Nailer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">jwSub,

Paddle-shifters on the wheel, and an <span style="color: #CC33CC">'air-operated' clutch </span> . That work for you? </div></div>

Does that mean you canfart and change gears? Sorry about the lavander print but Im burnt out on red...

 

[bassani]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

Unless they had a change since i had a LinX liner for the bed of my truck....LinX isnt maintenance free

you have to "paint" it every so often if its exposed to the elements. It gets a white hazy film on it that can be scratched off but doesnt come off easily with traditional washing methods.

 

[jwSubMOA]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

That's what the newer product Line-X Xtra is for. It seals it and gives it a sheen. I've seen a truck that had been done for 3 years and it still looked great.

 

[GUNNER75]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

I would look into something like this. I don't know much about it personally, but have been around one of these trucks that had several hard desert miles on it and the durability was awesome.

Body wraps

 

[bassani]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jwSubMOA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That's what the newer product Line-X Xtra is for. It seals it and gives it a sheen. I've seen a truck that had been done for 3 years and it still looked great. </div></div>

do you have a picture of a truck with the Lin-X Xtra done. Id be interested in seeing what it looks like. Is it smooth or textured like the beds?

 

[bassani]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GUNNER75</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would look into something like this. I don't know much about it personally, but have been around one of these trucks that had several hard desert miles on it and the durability was awesome.

Body wraps

</div></div>

so this is a plastic wrap?

 

[GUNNER75]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

Some info here.
http://www.skinzwraps.com/speciality-films.php

The product I have been around is similar to this but matte finish. http://camoclad.com/

 

[jwSubMOA]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

Thanks! I checked on this with a local shop. I was surprised when they told me it needed to be replaced at least every 5 years. More surprising was the $2500-$3000 cost! The flairs, leveling kit,bed slide and full spray with Line-X is only about $4k.

 

[DP425]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

As for the HP figure- hard to say how efficient the drive train is on that truck as I've done little to no research on them (despite having one similar in my 11 avalanche). I can tell you this much- with 330HP from the factory, assuming a mild 30% HP increase, you could expect around 430HP at the crank. Assume your drive train will eat up 20-30% of your HP. That has you back down to 330-345HP at the wheels

Now, all that said and done- I looked on Whipple's website:
http://www.whipplesuperchargers.com/images/productimages/gm_dyno.gif

This shows a 2009 5.3L w 8psi boost; 440HP/425TQ. But don't expect the eldebrock kit to give those results. Their stuff is generally more conservative than some of the other brands. I would personally take a long hard look at the whipple chargers.
http://www.lethalperformance.com/whipple...-kit-black.html

 

[BigBlue&Goldie]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

I would go with the wrap as well. I have a buddy that did a crew cab short bed and it only cost him $800. It looked really good! Like others have said, the bed liner will fade, no matter what they are claiming. Dirt and dust are also harder to scrub off of it. I just got back from the Best in the Desert Vegas to Reno race and there were tons of trucks with wraps on them.

As far as the supercharger, I would think those numbers are fairly accurate. People don't realize the substantial loss that is experienced in the drive train. Put your truck on the dyno before and after, and you will be surprised. Keep in mind, more air means it needs more fuel!

 

[slowkota]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

Also, the 5.3 is an LS based motor if I'm not mistaken...
Meaning there is a Metric Ton of information available (local and online), as well as a plethora of knowledgeable performance shops available!

If a factory warranty isn't holding you back, get a knowledgeable local performance shop that will cater to your needs and expectations to do the work.

If you must have the warranty remain intact... Your looking at upgrades from GM performance... installed by GM certified techs.

 

[jwSubMOA]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

Thought I'd update this. Got my new truck Tuesday and love it! May get most of the bolt ons done this weekend. Went with a Magnaflow right side exit before the wheel system, K&N cold air kit and a Diablo Trinity tuner for now. Still have to put on the leveling kit and get my windows tinted. I added HID headlights tonight also. Tell me what you think.

 

[slowkota]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

I was actually wondering how a truck could be converted!

Two of my buddies just hop onto the ground, and toss their chairs in the back seat (quad cab) and vice-versa!

But that system you've got is niiiiiiice!

Which HID system did you go with? (K wise)

My buddy has a red 2012 with a lift, except he put 18" Rockstars on it

 

[jwSubMOA]

Re: Questions about 2012 Silverado mods

Thanks! I've occasionally hopped on the ground, unintentionally. I used A 6k system from BFXenon on the low beams. It's totally plug and play and very nice. I may do the high beams too so they match. I've got to get my wheelchair mods finished so I don't have to transfer to the factory seat, currently can't get out anywhere. The system is intended for you to drive from your wheelchair which is secured by an electric clamp.I'll post some pictures of the chair and how it all works.