Tech Articles

OEM Terror Part III

Crafting a One-Off Exhaust System With MagnaFlow’s Custom-Build Universal Exhaust Kit

Photos Courtesy of Chris DaSilva and Pacific Coast Customs

Now that Pacific Coast Customs and Bio Kustumz’s 2008 GMC Denali is flat on the ground, tucking 26-inch KMC wheels that get power to each corner, it is time to button up everything else that needs to be done to get the AWD Denali back on the road. The Denali maintains its all-wheel drive functionality thanks to replacing the front axle assembly with one out of a Toyota Tacoma, allowing longer axles to be machined for more articulation. Max Fish from Bio Kustumz also made a set of one-off spindles, control arms and ‘bag mounts. While Max took care of the front, Robbie Azevedo of PCC took care of the back end, making custom link bars, mounts and a panhard bar, keeping floor space in mind on the SUV. The final step to get the Denali’s suspension finished is to install a custom exhaust system that, like the rest of the SUV, doesn’t cut any corners.

Stayin’ Alive

Increasing the Performance and Life of Your Transmission

Your truck’s transmission is often neglected until that moment when you hit 5,000 RPM, while topping out at 30 MPH when the gears go out and the only fix is dropping down a credit card to have it rebuilt or replaced with a new unit. It is usually the last item on your list for regular maintenance. There are a few tricks you can do to help prolong the life of your transmission and help it better perform its job of transferring power to the rear tires. Transmissions work especially harder when using your truck to tow, go off-roading, or in our case, increase horsepower put out by the motor with a Magnuson supercharger.

The Next Level in Air Management

AccuAir C-10 Install

When choosing an air system for your pride and joy there are many factors to take into account. If you’re looking for a system to give you that perfect stance (which would be flat on the ground if you’re anything like us), or if you’re looking for the ultimate in precision engineered control systems, the AccuAir e-Level system is the one you’ve been waiting for. Nasty, cluttered valve setups, wires running in every which way, and no real control from your switchboxes are a thing of the past.

Operation Muscle Truck Part 5

Housecleaning for a Special Guest

Photos by Mike Finnegan, Travis Noack and Marcel Venable

When we last visited the Muscle Truck project, a dedicated group of gearheads had gathered at Editor Noack’s house to remove the old 305-ci small-block engine and 4L60-E AOD tranny in preparation for a wicked new power plant. The “motorvation” will be provided by a righteous HT383 stroker long-block courtesy of GM Performance Parts. But, before we stuffed the new mill between the frame rails of Travis’ Silverado, we had to tidy up the decade-old engine bay. You wouldn’t invite friends over without cleaning up the house a bit, would ya? Neither would we.