Engine Upgrade to 550 Horsepower!

[Zing]

There's a guy selling a package that supposedly increases the following:

- Horsepower: 550 HP (from 325 HP stock)
- Torque: 530 LB (from 385 LB stock)
- 0-60 mph: 6.5 sec. (vs. 10.7 sec. stock)
- 0-90 mph: 13.0 sec. (vs. 27.1 sec. stock)

Price tag is $24,500. Click here for the website. Any mechanics out there with an opinion on validity?

[DelawareH2]

I agree. There is a reason the engine is rated at the current horsepower with the accompanying warranty.

I spent most of my time designing aircraft drive systems and subsequent modifications. The chain of events that occurs from changing one little thing can drive you crazy. Don't you think that if the engineers could give you 550 HP right out of the box they would? Don't beleive the crap about management or oil companies 'not wanting to let us have that 200 Mpg 500 HP engine.'

I have considered supercharging the engine, but only considered it. Once you go down that road, be prepared for all sorts of quirky behaviour, let along component failures.

My favorite was the time I went off-roading in a 1970 Mustang that I had reworked. One of the steering components had to be lowered just a half inch to provide clearance for the exhaust headers. The part used looked like it came off a battleship, so one would think all was well.

However, a thing called metal fatigue visited the attach point for the added part. About three years after the 'fix', the mount point failed and I suddenly had no steering. Lucky for me the car made a right turn, avoiding the oncoming traffic. I can't blame the engineer that designed the car, he had no idea that the part would be subjected to the type of stress applied.

The same is true for the H2. It looks beefy but I would be wary of adding parts that increase loads, especially on the drivetrain. The CATIA system they use for designing this stuff, allows them to simulate loads and shave many pounds off the vehicle. That's great for performance and gas mileage, but bad for adding extras that weren't planned in advance.

If you want to see a spectacular failure of one of my designs, check this out:

http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/gallery/pho.../ECN-31808.jpg

[TonkaH2]

Keep in mind those races are short, and offroading is a loooong haul- and chase vehicles aren't usually around for us civilians. I'd be concerned about all the parts past the engine being able to stand up to the loads for 20 or 30 thousand miles.

I agree with BermudaScott.

So far, there's been a couple of well-documented steering and front-axle failures. Could be the only ones, but I'll be watching. . .

[SJ]

There is a Terminator Package H2 on eBay.

I'm perfectly satisfied with the H2 as is. The H2 may be a form of excess in and of itself, but some of these modifications and add-ons are purely absurd. The stuff people waste money on never ceases to amaze me.

[buddy]

Raycobiker,

Are you from Jax?

I'm no engineer by no means, but I do question why the lower control arm is made from cast iron instead of high grade steel. I also understand the axles are cast iron. I know steel will bend, and cast iron justs snaps when over stressed, or casting are poor.

All the trucks I have ever owned have had steel upper and lower control arms. I'm not sure about the knuckles, they could have been cast iron.

Have you ever seen an accident involving a car where the wheel has been hit and pushed back? Cars have steel lower and upper control arms and they bend. If they had cast iron, they would probably snap off too.

The H2 in Jax., according to the owner,it just broke. Service manager said,"knowing the owner, it probably happened just like he said, travelling about 15 mph and the wheel came off".
ONLY the owner knows for sure.

Maybe one of the engineers will jump in and explain why they would use cast iron instead of steel. I'm sure GM has some answers.


Buddy

[mambodoc]

Buddy, thanks for the input...did you mean you wouldn't go anywhere but to Nimnnicht for service?...see your post. Sounds good to me...would you still advise me to buy despite the recent front end problems?...safety is always a concern, this'll be a family vehicle. Thanks again. Ed

[Kühl Carbon]

CLICK ME!

Seems as though he has ported and polished the heads, balanced the engine, and added a supercharger ... for $17,600. Not bad.

***BLANK*** at this time

[redrum]

Keep in mind that even low boost superchargers not only stress your engine and drivetrain but also require close attention to air/fuel mixture, octane content, and spark advance management. Detonation is a big issue when supercharging. A high quality engine management system is a must. Mondo horespower is a beautiful thing when managed effectively.

John Lingenfelter's products are top notch. For those of you who don't know, he was critically injured in a race event about a month ago. We all wish him a speedy recovery!

[buddy]

Mac,

The one at Nimnicht Chev/Hummer in Jax. had exactly the same problem, except it was the passenager side. It was in the shop last Fri, torn apart. Monday they were putting it back together.New lower/upper control arm/steering knucklebeing installed.

Seems to be a casting flaw, at least that's what they're saying. Service tech said, SB possible.

Service manager is "good guy type", very knowledgeable, and helpful, but won't say much unless he thinks you already know. He did say this is the first one they've had with a front end failure. I hope it's the last one too. I just completed a 2,000 mi trip, some miles in the Smokey Mtns. a few weeks ago. Glad I didn't see the wounded H2 before we left home.

Let you know if I find out more.

Best to ya,

Buddy

[buddy]

I've bought several trucks from them, but I didn't buy the H2 there. At the time they were not a Hummer dealer, so I ended up at Dew Cadillac in St. Pete. They were excellent.

I know lots of people at Nimnicht, mostly in service. They have the best Corvette mech and the best service mgr. in Jax. I'm just getting the Hummer guys over there broken in. I wouldn't go anywhere for service.

I'd order the H2 with the accessories YOU want. If not they'll load it up with evrything in the house.

I hope U get one..I know you're going to love it.

Buddy

[mambodoc]

Thanks both Buddy and Clay...I'll take a look anyway... Clay, Are you still going ahead with the order? Any opinions are appreciated. Ed

[Texas Red]

GM is already touting the H2 Upscale Performance model with 450 hp supercharged intercooled engine. Take a look:

http://media.gm.com/events/sema/02se...rformance.html

Jim
Red H2 in Texas

[buddy]

Mambodoc,

Sorry, I need to read before I post. I did mean, I wouldn't go anywhere else for service, that includes my other GM vehicles. I can't speak for other customers, but they've always provided me with great service.

I think the front failure is a fluke and will pass.

Buddy

[h2fan]

i was thinking of supercharging myself i like the wipple kit

[RAYCOBIKER]

WOW, one on one side of the country and the other in my home town! what if they were doing 60 mph! they should have a recall! We should moniter this situation! THIS IS UNACEPTABLE!!!!!!!!! What do you guys think?

[MAC]

Buddy, is it similar to the Sacramento Bee yellow Hummer with broken front wheels?

[Zing]

There's a guy selling a package that supposedly increases the following:

- Horsepower: 550 HP (from 325 HP stock)
- Torque: 530 LB (from 385 LB stock)
- 0-60 mph: 6.5 sec. (vs. 10.7 sec. stock)
- 0-90 mph: 13.0 sec. (vs. 27.1 sec. stock)

Price tag is $24,500. Click here for the website. Any mechanics out there with an opinion on validity?

[buddy]

Tonka,

What have you heard concerning the front end failures?

The reason I ask is, I was at the local dealer here in Jacksonville and decided to walk back and check out some work being done on an H2.

It turns out that the right steering knuckle and/or spindle had broken. The mechanic doing the work said the owner was on the road travelling arounf 15 mph when the wheel came off.

The service mgr. happens to be a good friend and also one of my customers. When I approached him and ask, What's with the wheel coming off on the H2, he replied"bad casting in the metal".
He also said the same thing as the mechanic about how it happened, and believe the owners story. Said he knows the customer and that's probably what happened.

This is the only failure they've had concerning the spindle or steering knuckle.

I know these parts are common on the 3/4 C/K's, but the C/K don't weigh as much either.

Just curious to what you might may heard.

Thanx

[mambodoc]

Thanks for the input Buddy, I was planning on heading up to Nimnicht this saturday to check out an H2 but now am hesitant in light of this front end problem. Apart from that, hows Nimnicht to deal with? I'll be coming up from Daytona area. Thanks. Ed

[buddy]

Sorry,

Axles are steel