Just go Cobb stage 2 and be done with it. I tow my travel trailer which weighs 6k lbs up and over the sierra's frequently and the trans has never gotten hot by any means. I do put the tune to stage 0 while towing however.
Nobody likes cutting up a brand new truck but the FMIC is the way to go. Less space claim constrained than the stock location, uses the FEAD driven fan for heat rejection as opposed to the tiny dual electric fans. Eliminates a lot of complexity with the charge air system and frees up a ton of room for frame cut bumpers (or not), etc. Once you reach a certain level of boost on your truck with the stock CAC you are going to be power limited based on intake air temps. Just do it right the first time and go big.
I’m not looking for the most power, I know I’m leaving some on the table....but I’m looking for LONG TERM keeping the truck, passing emissions, not drawing unnecessary attention from dealer in event of warranty concern, etc.
So I want to keep the boost as close to stock levels as possible, but I want the truck to run smoother/cooler/better overall- & I want to clean the tranny logic up. Putt Cobb stage 2 just raises the bright red “look @ my mods & blame em for whatever’s wrong” flag.
I don’t want to install anything that would otherwise throw a code on a stock vehicle either (like cobbs CAI for instance despite the proven power gains) & is obvious for a dealer to point out & take note of.
For instance Even though I think a catch can is probably a good idea for keeping Raptor info high miles- I’m skeptical about putting one on since a) they’re impossible to hide unlike some I’ve seen/used on N/A V8 vehicles the raptor catch cans are massive by comparison w/ multiple tubes, big cans etc & b) the “best” one I’ve seen based on research throws a code.
I’m pretty sure if I did everything but the tune- the tranny cooler, stock mount intercooler upgrade & SP542 plugs w/ a better filter element in the stock air box even on stock tune running 93 octane esp I’m guessing I’d have solid power gains even noticeable SOTP & I think a dealer would be hard pressed to notice the mods, let alone be able to blame them for anything unless they were installed wrong.
Lastly- while I’m sure you’re right that the Cobb stage 2 setup you’re running makes great power & is probably one of the best bangs for the buck out there- besides the fact I don’t want a huge FMIC it’s my understanding Cobb doesn’t touch the trans tuning....in which case even though they’re reputable & supposedly on the conservative side w/ their tunes, I personally wouldn’t even consider a tune that didn’t adjust the transmission on an automatic equipped vehicle if there were other options out there that did. And when it comes that it’s really common in the domestic V8 muscle car world where guys posting the biggest gains on the dyno don’t always translate to actual performance @ the track or from a roll on the street b/c the tranny shifts like a ******* w/ stock or poor custom logic/tuning.
We got 10 speeds- Theres a lot to play w/ there.
