3 Best Performance Mods for GMC Sierra 1500| Best Upgrades/mods to Boost Performance
Are You in search of best performance upgrades for your GMC Sierra 1500?
If yes!
Then you landed at right place.
Here in this article you will find the Top 3 Best upgrades + 3 Bonus Mods that will helps you in boosting your GMC Sierra 1500 Truck’s performance level.
After reading this article you will be ready with the combination of Best Mods that will shoots the horsepower, torque and MPGs while maintaining the engine sound and looks of your GMC truck.
This list is totally based upon our research and customer reviews. If you want to add any other mod in this list, Feel free to comment we will add that in this list later on.
So without wasting much time let’s start our list of 3 Best GMC Sierra 1500 Performance Mods that will boost the performance level to next level.
Here we go!
Best Performance Mods for GMC Sierra 1500
#3 Cold Air Intake upgrade with K&N Performance Air Intake Kit 77-3082KP (Adds up to 10.84 hp)
A cold air intake is crucial for enhancing a vehicle’s performance.
Its primary function is to deliver the right amount of air to the engine. By drawing in cold air, which has a higher oxygen density compared to warm air, the intake mixes it with fuel for combustion, resulting in more power.
Using a cold air intake in your vehicle can lead to noticeable improvements in horsepower, acceleration, fuel efficiency, and even the sound of your engine.
Now, let’s dive into our first modification: the K&N Performance Air Intake Kit 77-3082KP, one of the best options to boost the performance of your GMC Sierra. You can also check our detailed article on best cold air intake for GMC Sierra 1500. if you’re interested in Cold air intake more..
Whether to Haul ,tow or climb the stope the K&N Performance Cold Air Intake Kit is your best bet to boost up your performance level of your truck.
Before moving forward let’s take a look on manufacturer- K&N Engineering, of Riverside, California, is the inventor and leading innovator of reusable cotton gauze filter technology for automotive applications.
K&N exists as both the sales and brand leader for performance filters, and maintains a stocking catalogue of over 3,500 part numbers, including an extensive line of both factory replacement drop-in filters, FIPK (Fuel Injection Performance Kit) applications, and its line of innovative Performance Gold oil filters.
Built for performance and show utilizing the highest quality components, the K&N 77 Series High-Flow Performance Air Intake is a free-flowing mandrel-bent aluminum tube induction system designed for Trucks and Sport Utility Vehicles.
K&N intake systems replace your vehicle’s restrictive factory air filter and air intake housing. K&N intakes are designed to dramatically reduce intake restriction as they smooth and straighten air flow.
This allows your vehicle’s engine to inhale a larger amount of air than the OEM air filter assembly. More air means more usable power and acceleration throughout the engine’s RPM range.
The filters on these kits are washable and reusable.
Most of the intake kits are relatively easy to install using tools commonly available (see installation instructions).
77-Series air intakes come with K&N’s Million Mile Limited Warranty.
Check out Customer Reviews & Ratings
Key Features
- Compatibility : GMC Sierra 1500 (2014-2020).Check here for 2020+ GMC Sierra 1500
- Estimated horsepower gain of 10.18 HP at 4996 RPM
- Designed to improve throttle response and engine sound
- Feature an aluminum intake tube in Polished or Gunmetal Gray
- Easy to install, usually in 90 minutes or less
- Replaces entire factory air intake system
- Provided with washable and reusable filters
- Lasts up to 100,000 miles before service is required (depending on driving conditions)
- Increase 10.18 HP at 4996 RPM
- Improve engine Efficiency
- Oversized Washable High-Flow Air Filter
- Designed to increase overall performance
- Easy to install
- Heat Shield plus gives better throttle response & Engine sound
- Check Fit for your model before buying
- Always check for the proper hardware and installation instruction otherwise you will face fitting issues
#2 Programmers & Tuners upgrade with 9200 DiabloSport Trinity 2 (Adds up to 100-185 Hp and 220+ Torque )
Programmer and Tuners are both designed to maximize your engine’s power output with easy plug n play installation. These will give your truck big boost in horsepower and torque along with helps your engine run more efficiently therefore increasing your MPGs.
While choosing tuner for your vehicle you need to determine exactly what kind of results you wants to achieve with your performance chip. Whether you want horsepower, torque and fuel economy or you want it as speed limiter, tire size, rev limit and also use it as checking and clearing diagnostic cods. All depends upon your need.
So moving towards our 2nd Mod and one of the top rated programmer that boost the performance level of GMC Sierra 1500 is 9200 DiabloSport Trinity 2. Meanwhile if you’re interested in checking more tuner options for GMC Sirra 1500, you can also check our detailed guide on Best tuners & chips for GMC Sierra 1500
Featuring automotive products made in the USA, DiabloSport has become a well-known leader in electronic handheld programmers of Engine Control Units for Ford and GM.
DiabloSport Trinity is one of the most advanced devices of its kind on the market featuring full Reflash/Reprogram capability, Advanced Data Acquisition, and Customizable Gauges–all displayed and controlled on a color touch screen and housed in a slim, custom-styled, easy to use device.
For all diesel application, the trinity will come preloaded with three tuning levels-
The First one is Towing-You can increase your truck’s factory towing capacity with the DiabloSport Trinity tuner as it improves your truck’s power by 40-60 HP and an average of 100 Ft/Lbs of torque . This setting is designed to increase drivability while towing.
Second-The Trinity also adds between 60-100 HP and 180-200 Ft/Lbs of torque, with economy gains averaging 2-3 MPG on the highway.
The third tune is the Extreme level-this tune adds anywhere from 100- 185 horsepower and 220+ Ft/Lbs. of torque and is specifically for tearing it up at the strip.
Best performance tuner for GMC Sierra 1500
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Now coming towards the box, you can get the DiabloSport Trinity unit along with 6-foot ODB-II cable ,Trinity software CD, 6-foot USB to Mini USB cable, suction cup mount, quick start guide, DiabloSport Sticker, warranty.
The Trinity tuner also use for gasoline applications adjusting Idle RPM , Shift points , Mass Air Table . Cooling fan temperature, Spark Advance/Retard, Fuel Tables/WOT Fuel, Raise Speed limited and Raise Rev Limiter.
Thanks to its programmer LED warning lights that can act as a visual gauge alarm for any individual piece of data, or even as a programmable shift light.
With the Trinity tuner you don’t need to go out for reading and clearing your trouble codes as the DabloSport Trinity itself act as a diagnostic code reader.
The DiabloSport Trinity tuner can easily download its updates- you just have to enter your information to register the tool on the official website and the DS Downloader takes care the rest.
Check out Customer Reviews & Ratings
Key Features
- Preloaded with Three Tuning applications for Diesel vehicles
- Available in Towing , Economy and Extreme mode for Diesel vehicles
- Adjust Spark Advance/Retard, Fuel Tables/WOT Fuel, Idle RPM , Shift points and more in gas vehicles
- Full Reflash/Reprogram capability, Advanced Data Acquisition, and Customizable Gauge
- Act as a virtual Guage Monitor/data logging
- Reads and clear trouble codes, act as diagnostic code reader
- Comes with LED Warning lights
- Automatic Online updated
- Comes with One-year Warranty and 30- Day Guarantee
- Increase up to 100-185 Hp and 220+ Torque
- Custom tuned
- Designed to increase overall performance
- Easy to install
- Check Fit for your model before buying
#1 Exhaust upgrades with aFe Twisted Steel headers with Y pipes (Adding +16 Hp and +15 lbs x ft. of torque with Good Exhaust note)
Never chained down your beast with restrictive stock equipment. Rather set it free and unleashes every pinch of power it can pump out.
The best way to free your ride and experience the high-speed difference is to install aFe Twisted Steel Headers along with Y pipe. Though you got multiple exhaust options to free airflow but the amount of HP gain you will get with aFe Twisted steel headers is totally unpredictable.
aFe Twisted Steel heads basically are TIG or MIG- welded by certified craftsmen for race proven strength and durability. TIG-welding provides the strongest welds reducing stress cracks. aFe headers are designed to increase exhaust velocity and increase usable torque. This results in a more aggressive throttle response and increased passing power.
It is one of the best way and ultimate exhaust upgrade to boost performance level by adding astounding +16 horsepower and +15 lbs x ft. of torque.
Constructed out of 16-gauge, 1-3/4″ mandrel-bent 304 Stainless Steel for maximum durability, aFe Twisted Headers designed with 4-to-1 formed collectors which decreases turbulence and increases air velocity for improved air flow.
Each tube is cut to the optimal length for true pulse control technology and mandrel bent which improves flow by virtually eliminating all restrictions.
The tubes extend all the way down to the top of the flange and merged with Y-pipe that utilizes a mitered merge collector to eliminate dead space that can cause turbulence and hinder flow.
This y-pipe is designed using 3″ to 3-1/2″ transition and it utilizes Dual high flow catalytic converters which gives maximum flow.
For a leak free fit, aFe Headers comes with high quality OE style 3/8″ to 1/2″ flanges and band clamps that are used for a complete all around sealing surface with no modification needed.
Manufactured in USA the performance header and y-pipe are backed by limited lifetime warranty and are designed to be a true bolt on system with no cutting or modifications required.
Key Features
- aFe Power48-32011-YN Twisted Steel Header and Y-Pipe is custom designed for GMC Sierra 1500.
- Added an astounding +16 horsepower and +15 lbs. x ft. of torque
- Free- Flowing and Restriction free large pipe designs
- True formed (headers) and mitered (y-pipe) merge collectors eliminate dead zones for improved flow
- 100% hand MIG-welded construction ensures optimal strength and durability
- Optimized tube lengths and 3/8″ thick CNC laser cut flanges
- Incorporates high-Flow, 400 cell catalytic converters for improved flow
- Easy, no-hassle bolt on installation with no cutting or modification required.
- Street legal in 48 States
- Backed by lifetime warranty.
Best performance Exhaust header for GMC Sierra 1500
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- Increase up to 16 Hp and 15+ Torque
- Agressive sound and looks
- Free-flowing pipes design
- Easy to install
- Check Fit for your model before buying
3 Others Upgrades/Mods that will Also help you in Boosting Performance
Apart from above listed 3 best upgrades, there are other mods also that will also proves to be best combination and will surely helps in boosting the overall performance to next level.
Don’t just go with our words, try it and then know it yourself. It will sure that you will never regret after that..These modifications will improve the driviablity and performance in one way or other and are going to be best partner for your beast.
So, without wasting more time let’s move towards the bonus Upgrades.
#1 Increase HP & Overall Performance with Intercooler Kit or heat Exchanger
An intercooler, or “charge-air cooler”, is an air-to-air or air-to-liquid heat exchange device used on turbocharged and supercharged (forced induction) internal combustion engines to improve their volumetric efficiency by increasing intake air-charge density through isochoric cooling.
Here we’re talking about heat exchanger which is basically a intercooler only. Basically, Heat Exchanger uses air from the atmosphere, flowing over and around a lot of finned tubes to remove heat from the intake air charge which means it reduce the temperature of the air that has been pressurized by the supercharger/turbocharger that is going through the intake tubes.
In layman terms, a heat exchanger is a device designed to efficiently transfer or “exchange” heat from one matter to another. When a fluid is used to transfer heat, the fluid could be a liquid, such as water or oil, or could be moving air.
Check inter-cooler for GMC Sierra Models
When you use air-to- air heat exchanger, cooler air will be directed towards the tubes that will maximise the cooling effect and ultimately create impact on the performance of the vehicle.
So, upgrade your GMC Sierra 1500 with universal fit Edelbrock HEAT EXCHANGER. You can choose as per your truck specification and other measurement details.
#2 Fuel management or Throttle Optimizer for your GMC Sierra 1500
Whether to use your Sierra in performance mode or in off-road mode to use it especially for towing purpose, you will need a device that will let you switch between these modes very quickly and easily.
This throttle Optimizer is the perfect mod that offers fully customizable control over your vehicle’s throttle response.
The simple control knob that allows you to switch between multiple modes and control the throttle intensity of each mode on-the-fly.
So, by using this, you will totally eliminate the hassle of switching and adjusting throttle response as per the driving needs.
The React throttle optimizer offers plug and play functionality and has capability to adjust automatically as per the driving needs without any need of disassembly.
You will easily manage fuel with this throttle optimizer as it comes with three modes.. Performance mode (where throttle is adjusted to obtain maximum performance or economy with less response) , Tow Mode (where throttle is adjusted for maximum performance and response) and last is, Off-Road Mode ( where more power and acceleration part is considered while adjusting throttle).
# Spring Booster for Improved Drivability
If you’re looking to improve drivability without putting any extra tuning mods, then The Sprint Booster is a perfect alternative for you!
The best thing about this upgrade is -you can easily use it with or without other tuners/programmers due to its ability to work independently from other modifications.
Basically Sprint Booster modifies the signal between the accelerator pedal module and the ECU. The improved signal encourages the throttle to open “more” than what the stock signal was providing at a given pedal position. The end result is the idle-to-full-throttle pedal travel is reduced.
Sprint Booster basically makes your truck “feel” more powerful because the given pedal input produces greater throttle opening.
Easy and quick installation, this performance mod is one of the perfect and effective upgradation for your truck.
Apart from these mods there are other basic upgrades also that you can add in your list that will create noticeable increase in performance while increasing the life of your Sierra truck directly or indirectly.
It’s best practive to keep oil filter clean on regular basis to increase it’s life . Choose wisely and get the best upgrade for your beast.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed the article 3 Best GMC Sierra 1500 Performance Mods| Best Upgrades/mods to Boost Performance to its entire bits.
We do hope that this article helped you in making a definitive choice when it comes to upgrading your GMC Sierra 1500 and unleashes every pinch of its power.
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Vicky Dwaj, Founder and CEO of TrucksEnthusiasts , is an automobile engineer passionate about pickup trucks and accessories. Follow his journey to discover the latest trends in off-road accessories, cars, and truck parts.
I really wish you would give the actual horsepower and torque gains from the programmer. All you did was give the best case scenario results for a diesel, the gas burner trucks will not gain anything close to what you said it will.
Hi Andrew,
For gas engines, Cold Air intake and Aftermarket Exhaust will really help you in gaining what you want! Try with additional mods also like turbo kit and engine tuner. It will help you in increasing the overall performance and power.
Let us know if you want to know something else.
Thanks