I joined this forum in order to attempt to obtain information on upgrading the horsepower, appearance, and performance of my 2002 GMC envoy. It is a reincartion of my previous, which went to he'll and back, enabling my survival of a head on collision with a 2011 freightliner... I want to really deck this one out since it is extremely sentimental due to the circumstances it pulled me through. O am having trouble finding parts to increase horsepower on the 4200 and when I inquired about a custom 5.3 motor swap including new trans and nearing 475 HP, was told it would be approx $10500!! Any help would be greatly appreciated
Super or turbo 4200? HORSEPOWER
- Thread starter AaronJefferson
- Start date
FearlessAZ
Member
Both, supercharged and turobed, solutions would be custom set ups. There are no premade kits around. There have been a couple people that have done setups like this but definitely weren't cheap or quick. They involved quite a bit of fab work. A 5.3 swap is possible. Seen a few people talk about it. I believe it has always been discussed as not being cost efficient. There is more that can be done with a 5.3 though. That high price is just mostly labor cost with the exception of a few pricey parts. If you browse through the build forums, there are some examples in there.
This topic has come up a few times on the forum, like stated above it's more cost-efficient to buy a GMT360 with a 5.3L in it already vs. buying the motor and doing a swap. I'm right there with you wanting more power; I've done all I can to get every bit of power possible out of our platform without a swap or attempt at a turbo build. My truck is sure quick, but i'm hungry for more.
As far as turbo's, it can most certainly be done. A turbo build was successfully done on an Envoy by one of our members: https://www.youtube.com/user/ConeKillerAUTOx11/videos
It was no easy task though, a lot of custom fabrication, and he went way over his $1500 budget.
As far as turbo's, it can most certainly be done. A turbo build was successfully done on an Envoy by one of our members: https://www.youtube.com/user/ConeKillerAUTOx11/videos
It was no easy task though, a lot of custom fabrication, and he went way over his $1500 budget.
Sparky
Member
- Dec 4, 2011
- 12,927
Custom builds usually are better than kit stuff anyway! At least, as an onlooker they're more fun to watch the process 
- Jul 22, 2015
- 2,724
Definitely get one with the 5.3L already in the truck. Way cheaper, and you've got a headstart.
Easiest way, since you like Envoys, is to find a used Denali - and you can get them in SWB. Most of the non-Denali's that have a V8 are in XLs (LWB), or in Trailblazer SS' - which cost a small fortune. You'll still pay more for a Denali, relative to it's non-Denali cousins - but in the long run, you'll save money, time, and headache.
Easiest way, since you like Envoys, is to find a used Denali - and you can get them in SWB. Most of the non-Denali's that have a V8 are in XLs (LWB), or in Trailblazer SS' - which cost a small fortune. You'll still pay more for a Denali, relative to it's non-Denali cousins - but in the long run, you'll save money, time, and headache.
therealsethallen
Member
I guess I'm so stuck on this year and model because it's sentimental... It's a reincarnation of the one that saved my life in 2011 when involved in a headon collision with a tractor trailer
Mooseman
Moderator
If I had a truck that saved my life like that, I'd have the same confidence in getting another one like it too. Unfortunately the choices with the I6 are limited.