Portager's H3T Modifications

[Portager]

So I bought the GM Performance Exhaust off ebay for $299 (including shipping). This exhaust is made for GM by Borla Performance Exhaust :link:. I have been wanting the Billy Boat catback exhaust for quite some time, but the price of the GM Exhaust was too good to pass up.

Here is a picture of the label.

And a picture in the box.

The muffler was easy to install. Once you saw the old one off with a sawsall the new one clamps on to the sawed off end and bolts onto the existing tail pipe. They prvide a fancy chrome tip, but it would have been crushed under the bumper so I left that off.

The new exhaust sits in the same location as the old one so off road clearance isn't an issue.

I'm actually surprised at how much I like the sound of the new exhaust and even more importantly, I really like the performance. I think the performance is back to where it was before I went from 33" to 35" wheels. So I'm very happy with the upgrade.

While I was under the truck I took some pictures of the rear leaf spring hangers and the Tomp low profile shock mounts.

I'm really amazed at how much of a beating I've given the Hunner skids.

I'm also impressed with how good the Tomp low profile shock mounts look. I’ve barely scratched any of the paint off of them.

 

[nj3talpha]

Could you please post a video clip of the sound. I have been looking as this exhaust for a while...

 

[Portager]

I'll try and record a video. Might take a little while though.

 

[kflips]

Nice find. That exhaust will be awesome. What's next?

 

[Hans3T]

I thought that the exhaust they had listed was only for the 3.7 L model. I guess that is obviously not the case.

Would you describe the sound as mild or wild?

 

[Portager]

The sound difference is mild. It has a more pleasing tone at idle. You don't really notice a difference at constant speed of the highway, but it is noticeably louder when accelerating. It seems to accelerate better too.

 

[Hans3T]

Hmm, well I may have to look into that.

Although a Flowmaster is tempting as well... Hmm...

Sent using Tapacrack

 

[Portager]

Nice find. That exhaust will be awesome. What's next?

Funny you should ask.

I got my HID fog lights and I replaced my stock halogen headlight bulbs with Sylvania Silverstar Ultra’s.

I decided to go with the HID fog lights to improve close in lighting. I was considering installing an Amber LED light bar behind the mini-grille for off road use in dusty conditions, but I decided the HID fog lights could do almost as good of a job for a lot less money and effort. I was considering the RI SR-20 which is rated at 6,400 raw lumens and lists for $530. I opted instead for the Hummer H3 HID Xenon Fog Light Kit from Xenon Supply :link:. I got the 3,000K “Yellow” with their premium slim ballast and relay wire harness for $174.99. These lights should produce ~7,000 raw lumens of light output.

Here are pictures of the wiring and the lights.

I have noticed that the “Yellow” light is really a yellowish-green since the apparent temperature is 3000K as opposed to 2500K for a true yellow. Here are pictures on the fog lights in daylight.

Here is a picture of the fog lights alone.

Fog lights with low beams.

Low beams alone.

High beams alone.

Here are some pictures up in the forest that show visibility off road. High beams.

Low beams and fog lights

Low beams.

Fog lights alone.

 

[06 H3]

Damn that offers a lot of light!! I may look into that.

 

[Hans3T]

The green look is pretty nifty, aesthetically. Looks like it performs well too.

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

Love the fog lights Mike. So when will it be time for a straight axle up front?:wink:

 

[Portager]

I was quite pleased with the performance of the fog lights on the night run in Silver Canyon.

One of the main reasons I chose the Hummer is I preferred the ride of the IFS, so a SFA would be eliminating a desirable feature. I'd rather stick cactus spines in my eyelids.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

Gotcha, can't wait to see what you have comming for mods!:thumbs::corn:

 

[Portager]

I went into Tustin Hummer this morning to get my truck back after the Transfer Case repair. I shifted into neutral and presses the 4 low button and it started making the same racket as it did on the trail. Needless to say it went back into the shop and I got a rental car or should I say a Silverado Pickup.

So, it will be at least another day until I can record the exhaust sound.

 

[06 H3]

Hope they can get it fixed up soon

 

[Portager]

Tustin Hummer said they had to order a thrust washer which won't be in until Friday! I'm supposed to get the truck on Friday. I guess I'll wait and see but my confidence level isn't good. I hope I get it back by Saturday noon or the Sleeping Princess pre-run will be cancelled.

 

[Portager]

I installed my Scorpworks Steering Support Bracket but then it developed a clicking noise when I turned the steering wheel, especially at rest. I discovered that the rack was shifting side to side and a hydraulics fitting was bumping into the steering support bracket, causing the noise. Replacing the Scorpworks bracket with the OEM bracket eliminated the noise, but I felt that the OEM bracket was just masking the problem. My theory was that the steering rack bushings were shot and the skinny OEM bracket allowed the rack to shift further before contact. Masking the underlying issue.

So I bought a new steering rack off ebay and two sets of Steering Rack & Pinion Mount Bushing SuperPro SPF3882K from :link:. Then I had Tustin Hummer install the new steering rack with the new bushings and the Scorpworks steering Support Bracket. The problem appears the be solved. The old steering rack appears to be okay except for the bushings so now I have a slightly used spare rack.