LS TRUCK LABS TECH LIBRARY
A practical knowledge base for GM truck performance—built around combinations that actually work, clean diagnostics, verified data and clear explanations instead of forum folklore.
FEATURED IN THE LAB
The best truck combinations come from understanding how the systems interact—not from copying somebody else’s parts list.
How airflow, compression, valve events, intake choice, converter and gearing need to support the same rpm range—and why a “bigger” part is not automatically a faster truck.
Open guide →NEW TO PERFORMANCE TRUCKS?
Four paths that cover the questions most builds should answer before ordering parts or changing calibration.
Daily driver, towing, street/strip, naturally aspirated or boosted. The use case decides the combination.
Build planning →Identify the engine, transmission, gear ratio, tire diameter and current mechanical condition.
Baseline checklist →Cam, converter, gearing, airflow and transmission strategy should support the same intended rpm range.
Combination theory →Use logs, measurements and repeatable testing to verify changes instead of tuning by feel alone.
Logging basics →TECH LIBRARY
19 guides shown
Understand displacement, generation, reluctor wheel, crank sensor, cam sensor, intake style and other details that affect compatibility.
Read guide →Duration, lift, overlap and lobe separation explained in the context of weight, converter, gearing and intended rpm.
Read guide →Why commanded speed, engine rpm, shift time, torque reduction and converter state all influence the actual shift.
Read guide →A system-level checklist covering fitment, converter, flexplate, crossmember, driveshaft, cooler, wiring and calibration.
Read guide →Start with the channels needed to answer a specific question instead of logging everything and drowning in noise.
Read guide →Mechanical health, fuel delivery, commanded vs actual mixture, knock, spark and transmission behavior in a logical review sequence.
Read guide →See how tire diameter changes effective gearing, cruise rpm, torque multiplication and where the truck lands after a shift.
Read guide →Identify common GM truck axle families, compare swap options and plan ratio, differential, driveshaft and chassis compatibility before buying parts.
Open library →Match converter behavior to the engine’s torque curve, vehicle weight, gearing and intended use—not just a catalog stall number.
Read guide →Think through pump capacity, voltage, line restriction, regulator strategy, injector data and fuel type as one system.
Read guide →Power distribution, grounds, relays, charging, starter circuits, LS swap harnesses, DBW, diagnostics and serial data.
Open library →Engine placement, oil pan, accessories, cooling, fuel, exhaust, transmission, driveshaft, wiring and calibration before teardown begins.
Read guide →A high-level map of the crank/cam signal, control module and harness differences that matter when mixing LS-era components.
Read guide →Search common Gen III/IV RPOs by displacement, block, bore/stroke, port family, reluctor, AFM and VVT—with swap compatibility checks.
Open reference →Learn what 212/218, .600 lift and 112 LSA actually mean using real truck-cam examples.
Open reference →Cathedral, rectangle and raised ports plus common casting/chamber/valve-size reference.
Open reference →Compare classic hydraulic automatics, electronic overdrives and six-speed manuals by ratios, controls and swap requirements.
Open library →Compare common automatic ratios and see how first gear and rpm drop change the truck.
Open reference →Plain-English definitions for the terms used throughout the site.
Open glossary →Quick answers with direct paths to the deeper guide when you just need to know where to start.
Open FAQ →Published Chevrolet, TSP and BTR specs side-by-side with converter and use-case context.
Open reference →Truck vs car runners, port families, Mid-Rise and Hi-Ram tradeoffs explained.
Open guide →BSFC, duty cycle, differential pressure and pump-flow math with manufacturer references.
Open reference →Displacement geometry, common 4.000-inch-stroke combinations and compression math.
Open guide →Symptom-first test paths for misfires, fuel pressure, knock and transmission complaints.
Open diagnostic guide →Planning templates for 5.3 NA, 6.0 cam/converter, budget turbo and tow-focused trucks.
Open recipes →SOURCE DESK
Use primary documentation for specifications, software behavior and model-specific service information. LS Truck Labs guides add context, but the exact vehicle, controller and operating system still matter.
VCM Editor's Parameter Navigator can search available parameters by name and filter the tree by Engine, Transmission, Diagnostics, Fuel System, Speedometer and more. Availability varies by calibration and controller.
Open HP Tuners docs →GM Upfitter publishes technical bulletins when issues or changes need distribution faster than annual body-builder manuals. Always confirm the bulletin actually applies to the model and condition being diagnosed.
Open GM bulletins →GM Upfitter maintains model-year resources for Silverado/Sierra and other GM trucks, including chassis and electrical body-builder information useful during swaps, wiring and accessory work.
Open GM truck resources →QUICK REFERENCE
This is the fast-reference drawer for the specs and equations people repeatedly need while planning an LS truck build.
4.02 / 2.36 / 1.53 / 1.15 / 0.85 / 0.67. Use these with actual tire diameter and axle ratio when planning shift MPH or cruise RPM.
See the worked example →HP Tuners documents that adding more polled channels can slow data return. Build separate channel configs for WOT, idle and transmission work.
Build a channel list →Chevrolet Performance specifies 60 psi and minimum flow-at-pressure numbers for its LS controller packages; Aeromotive explains why injector differential pressure matters under boost.
Plan the whole system →