2000 Chevy 3500 454 essential mods? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

nikwho · 09-14-2020, 11:42 AM

Hey guys, I am new to this section, as I am typically in the '47-'59 or '67-'72 sections. Anyhow, I am looking at buying a super clean 2000 C3500 dually. It is a factory short bed crew cab dually. It's mechanically stock, with 8,000 miles on rebuilt engine and 4l80e transmission. I won't be towing anything super heavy. Mostly just my '59 or old Land Cruiser on a car hauler, perhaps would look at a 24-25' toy hauler in the future. I would plan on adding an aftermarket transmission cooler. I would like to add a performance exhaust and considering other mild performance mods. What have you guys done that have yielded good results? Tuner? Camshaft swap? Intake or injector work? I'd be up for a couple of grand worth of parts. Just thinking that there may be relatively inexpensive modifications to uncork that big block, that could help performance a bit.

Thanks for any tips,
Nik

**hatzie** · 09-14-2020, 12:12 PM

I have a T400 body 2000 GMC C2500 with the 6.5L diesel rather than the 6.6L Dirtymax that a T800 would have.

I believe the 2000 Chevy/GMC C3500 with the 454 is a T400 body as well. I can move this thread if you wish.

nikwho · 09-14-2020, 01:06 PM

I was curious about that! I kinda figured that this rig would be lumped with the '88-'98 trucks. I just wasn't entirely sure, so I went with the model year range. I would appreciate move, thank you!

**Palf70Step** · 10-01-2020, 07:33 AM

Buddy of mine has an old 2000 flatbed and he tows everything in the world with it on a stock 454 motor setup. No power issues at all. The tranny cooler is the only thing I know he added, other than that he is happy.

Stormin08 · 10-01-2020, 08:18 AM

check out Richard Holdener on you tube...he has several generations of 454 going on the dyno for proven results

OutlawDrifter · 10-29-2020, 04:37 PM

Black Bear Performance tune for the Vortec 454, change out the muffler, rest of the exhaust is fine. Plugs/wires/cap/rotor (don't cheap out on these parts). Drive the snot out of it!

I've got a 1999 K2500 Suburban with the 454 I drive daily. It has the snow plow package which *technically* makes it a 1-ton Suburban. I've towed an enclosed trailer on a hot day and never saw the tranny run above 195* with the factory tranny cooler.

SACRAMENTO 71 · 11-17-2020, 04:08 AM

Love mine! 2000 K3500 454, completely stock and I haul it all. Everything from 42` enclosed with 2 old schools inside, or like this last weekend when I had 1 pallet of rocks weighing 4600lbs and a 2nd pallet of rocks weighing 3770lbs..... over 8300lbs!

Ive hauled up the Grapevine, Tehachapi, Sierras, etc and not once have I started at the bottom with rpms above 3400 and it not been doing the same MPH on top that it was at the bottom.

Pass Lock bypass is a good thing, Ditch that damn flange in the exhaust, great truck!!

Mine just turned 158k

nikwho · 11-20-2020, 11:04 AM

Thats awesome to hear. Thanks!

Crabass · 12-13-2020, 01:08 PM

Did you ever get that truck?

I've seen/heard/read that headers might be the single most beneficial upgrade to the later 454s. The Bosch injector swap is supposed to be worth the effort (and while you're in there replace some consumables: distributor, if its worn; fuel pressure regulator, oil pressure sender, fuel lines, gaskets, etc). Search YT

09-14-2020, 11:42 AM	#1
nikwho Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 974	2000 Chevy 3500 454 essential mods? Hey guys, I am new to this section, as I am typically in the '47-'59 or '67-'72 sections. Anyhow, I am looking at buying a super clean 2000 C3500 dually. It is a factory short bed crew cab dually. It's mechanically stock, with 8,000 miles on rebuilt engine and 4l80e transmission. I won't be towing anything super heavy. Mostly just my '59 or old Land Cruiser on a car hauler, perhaps would look at a 24-25' toy hauler in the future. I would plan on adding an aftermarket transmission cooler. I would like to add a performance exhaust and considering other mild performance mods. What have you guys done that have yielded good results? Tuner? Camshaft swap? Intake or injector work? I'd be up for a couple of grand worth of parts. Just thinking that there may be relatively inexpensive modifications to uncork that big block, that could help performance a bit. Thanks for any tips, Nik __________________ '59 Apache - 383" SBC/TH-350 '68 GMC - BBC/TH400

09-14-2020, 12:12 PM	#2
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,912	Re: 2000 Chevy 3500 454 essential mods? I have a T400 body 2000 GMC C2500 with the 6.5L diesel rather than the 6.6L Dirtymax that a T800 would have. I believe the 2000 Chevy/GMC C3500 with the 454 is a T400 body as well. I can move this thread if you wish. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

09-14-2020, 01:06 PM	#3
nikwho Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 974	Re: 2000 Chevy 3500 454 essential mods? I was curious about that! I kinda figured that this rig would be lumped with the '88-'98 trucks. I just wasn't entirely sure, so I went with the model year range. I would appreciate move, thank you! __________________ '59 Apache - 383" SBC/TH-350 '68 GMC - BBC/TH400

10-01-2020, 07:33 AM	#4
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,608	Re: 2000 Chevy 3500 454 essential mods? Buddy of mine has an old 2000 flatbed and he tows everything in the world with it on a stock 454 motor setup. No power issues at all. The tranny cooler is the only thing I know he added, other than that he is happy. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! Last edited by Palf70Step; 10-01-2020 at 10:35 AM.

10-01-2020, 08:18 AM	#5
Stormin08 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Moss Bluff, LA Posts: 381	Re: 2000 Chevy 3500 454 essential mods? check out Richard Holdener on you tube...he has several generations of 454 going on the dyno for proven results

10-29-2020, 04:37 PM	#6
OutlawDrifter Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Northeast KS Posts: 1,775	Re: 2000 Chevy 3500 454 essential mods? Black Bear Performance tune for the Vortec 454, change out the muffler, rest of the exhaust is fine. Plugs/wires/cap/rotor (don't cheap out on these parts). Drive the snot out of it! I've got a 1999 K2500 Suburban with the 454 I drive daily. It has the snow plow package which technically makes it a 1-ton Suburban. I've towed an enclosed trailer on a hot day and never saw the tranny run above 195* with the factory tranny cooler. __________________ 1999 GMC Suburban K2500 SLT, 454/4L80E 1991 Z/28, 6.0L/T56 1949 GMC 250, S10 Frame, 6.0L/4L80E Instagram @aceshighspeedshop

11-17-2020, 04:08 AM	#7
SACRAMENTO 71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 242	Re: 2000 Chevy 3500 454 essential mods? Love mine! 2000 K3500 454, completely stock and I haul it all. Everything from 42` enclosed with 2 old schools inside, or like this last weekend when I had 1 pallet of rocks weighing 4600lbs and a 2nd pallet of rocks weighing 3770lbs..... over 8300lbs! Ive hauled up the Grapevine, Tehachapi, Sierras, etc and not once have I started at the bottom with rpms above 3400 and it not been doing the same MPH on top that it was at the bottom. Pass Lock bypass is a good thing, Ditch that damn flange in the exhaust, great truck!! Mine just turned 158k __________________ 68 C10 SWB W/ 72 FRONT CLIP 343SB TH400 64 C10 SWB 406SB TH400 74 SUBURBAN 454BB TH400 78 K10 SWB 350 TH350 6" ON 35" BFG MUD 71 K5 350 W/ TBI 700R4 6" ON 38" BFG MUD 00 K3500 DRW BIG BLOCK "DRINKING PRBLM"

11-20-2020, 11:04 AM	#8
nikwho Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 974	Re: 2000 Chevy 3500 454 essential mods? Thats awesome to hear. Thanks! __________________ '59 Apache - 383" SBC/TH-350 '68 GMC - BBC/TH400

12-13-2020, 01:08 PM	#9
Crabass Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia's Eastern Shore Posts: 91	Re: 2000 Chevy 3500 454 essential mods? Did you ever get that truck? I've seen/heard/read that headers might be the single most beneficial upgrade to the later 454s. The Bosch injector swap is supposed to be worth the effort (and while you're in there replace some consumables: distributor, if its worn; fuel pressure regulator, oil pressure sender, fuel lines, gaskets, etc). Search YT



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