5.7L Chev V8 engine -- Tow Power

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5.7L Chev V8 engine -- Tow Power

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All Messages in Thread	Author	Date
5.7L Chev V8 engine -- Tow Power	Larry	10-6-06
I'm pulling a 7500 lb WW FB2200 Utility Trailer and having trouble with slowing to 40-50 mph on minor grades. The tow vehicle is a '97 Chev Suburban K2500 with a stock 5.7L Chev V8 engine and a full tow package including aux coolers. I like the suburban but I hate slowing down and working the engine so hard. Q. Can I get more power and torgue from this engine or should I buy a diesel to do the pulling? Or, are newer vehicles (i.e., gas-engine suburbans and pickups) more powerful?
Re: 5.7L Chev V8 engine -- Tow Power	Buba The bus tech	10-7-06
How steep a grade? where I have been working a hill that qualifies as a cliff where I come from is no big deal, we don't worry untill the D10 has to drag the truck in. Also what gear and RPM are you turning while pulling the hill. Does the truck sound like a pluged hoover with your foot down or does it still rumble out the pipe? All diferent ideas. I would love to replace my 360 powered pick up with a Cummins but money is a problem, is it for you? Just Ideas. Good Luck
Re: 5.7L Chev V8 engine -- Tow Power	Larry	10-7-06
Hi, Nice that you are willing to help. Thanks. Grades that slow this rig down: Mountain passes on interstate highway in Washington State (approx 4000 ft elev); and, long uphill grades on normal interstate highway. I have the automatic trans in 3rd gear and try to maintain 2000-2500 rpm. Specs for the '97 Chev 5.7L new were 255 HP @ 4600rpm; 330 ft lbs @ 2800 rpm. I haven't heard what the pipe sounds like; but, if I smash the pedal I don't get much response, so I just kind of hold the pedal where it seems to do the most pulling. Also, the vehicle has a factory 4:10 rear end ratio. I'm pricing out a diesel pickup, but I don't really want a pickup. I hate to lose the suburban. There have been rumors that Chev would put a duramax in a suburban, but after 3-years waiting, I've given up hope. Besides, I don't know anything about diesels.
Re: 5.7L Chev V8 engine -- Tow Power	Buba The bus tech	10-8-06
I dont think you have a real problem here. The truck is producing what it will the way you are operating it. I would expect the engine to turn 4,000 rpm under the conditions you describe and produce a much higher performance level. If it only turns 2500 it is either a manual trany and you are holding it up one gear from where it would make best performance, remember horse power peak is highest performance, tourque peak will provide best economy. If its an automatic it is not automaticly dropping that gear for some reason, if you have your foot down it should hold to over 4,000 before up shifting, if it dosn't we have a control problem. With out going for a ride I would guess the following 1: you dont want to stress your unit so you are giving up performance to maintain economy and life. 2: if you are running with yoyur foot down there is somthing in the trany control or engin control system preventing correct performance levels, I would guess that if it "lays down" above this throttle stting you have the folling things to check. Fuel supply, will the pump deliver the corect volume and pressure to the injection, both are absolutly critical. Second the ignition system has to be close to perfect under the conditions you describe to keep things going, tourque peek is the point of highest stress on the ignition, plugs wires cap and rotor all prime suspects. I am more familre with the newer dodges than chev. but a coil pack ignition has the same problems with the added complication of weak coils being possible and only showing up then. Latly the tran should allow a kick down at this point to second, paull foe a moment the up shift around 4500 rpm, if it shifts noticably earlyer that may be where to look. Good Luck
Re: 5.7L Chev V8 engine -- Tow Power	Larry	10-19-06
You are right in that I am nursing the pedal. So I'll do a tune up and check the fuel pressure. I don't know how to check the coil(s)? Thanks for the advice.
Re: 5.7L Chev V8 engine -- Tow Power	james	12-13-06
All Messages in Thread Author Date 5.7L Chev V8 engine I'm pulling a 7500 lb WW FB2200 Utility Trailer and having trouble with slowing to 40-50 mph on minor grades. The tow vehicle is a '97 Chev Suburban K2500 with a stock 5.7L Chev V8 engine and a full tow package including aux coolers. I like the suburban but I hate slowing down and working the engine so hard. Q. Can I get more power and torgue from this engine or should I buy a diesel to do the pulling? Or, are newer vehicles (i.e., gas-engine suburbans and pickups) more powerful? Re: 5.7L Chev V8 engine -- Tow Power Buba The bus tech 10-7-06 How steep a grade? where I have been working a hill that qualifies as a cliff where I come from is no big deal, we don't worry untill the D10 has to drag the truck in. Also what gear and RPM are you turning while pulling the hill. Does the truck sound like a pluged hoover with your foot down or does it still rumble out the pipe? All diferent ideas. I would love to replace my 360 powered pick up with a Cummins but money is a problem, is it for you? Just Ideas. Good Luck Re: 5.7L Chev V8 engine -- Tow Power Larry 10-7-06 Hi, Nice that you are willing to help. Thanks. Grades that slow this rig down: Mountain passes on interstate highway in Washington State (approx 4000 ft elev); and, long uphill grades on normal interstate highway. I have the automatic trans in 3rd gear and try to maintain 2000-2500 rpm. Specs for the '97 Chev 5.7L new were 255 HP @ 4600rpm; 330 ft lbs @ 2800 rpm. I haven't heard what the pipe sounds like; but, if I smash the pedal I don't get much response, so I just kind of hold the pedal where it seems to do the most pulling. Also, the vehicle has a factory 4:10 rear end ratio. I'm pricing out a diesel pickup, but I don't really want a pickup. I hate to lose the suburban. There have been rumors that Chev would put a duramax in a suburban, but after 3-years waiting, I've given up hope. Besides, I don't know anything about diesels. Re: 5.7L Chev V8 engine -- Tow Power Buba The bus tech 10-8-06 I dont think you have a real problem here. The truck is producing what it will the way you are operating it. I would expect the engine to turn 4,000 rpm under the conditions you describe and produce a much higher performance level. If it only turns 2500 it is either a manual trany and you are holding it up one gear from where it would make best performance, remember horse power peak is highest performance, tourque peak will provide best economy. If its an automatic it is not automaticly dropping that gear for some reason, if you have your foot down it should hold to over 4,000 before up shifting, if it dosn't we have a control problem. With out going for a ride I would guess the following 1: you dont want to stress your unit so you are giving up performance to maintain economy and life. 2: if you are running with yoyur foot down there is somthing in the trany control or engin control system preventing correct performance levels, I would guess that if it "lays down" above this throttle stting you have the folling things to check. Fuel supply, will the pump deliver the corect volume and pressure to the injection, both are absolutly critical. Second the ignition system has to be close to perfect under the conditions you describe to keep things going, tourque peek is the point of highest stress on the ignition, plugs wires cap and rotor all prime suspects. I am more familre with the newer dodges than chev. but a coil pack ignition has the same problems with the added complication of weak coils being possible and only showing up then. Latly the tran should allow a kick down at this point to second, paull foe a moment the up shift around 4500 rpm, if it shifts noticably earlyer that may be where to look. Good Luck Contact Rose Williams Email:rosewilliamsconsult@yahoo.co.uk