2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD
The 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500HD was fresh from a comprehensive redesign in 2015. It has new features like a digital steering assist system that alters the power steering sensitivity based on driving conditions and speed. It also got a seven-inch infotainment MyLink touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Despite having new convenience features, the Silverado 2500HD remains an outstanding hauler with loads of pulling power and class-leading comfort. The Silverado 2500 is available in regular, double, and crew cab body styles with a standard 6.5-foot or a longer 8-foot bed. The standard engine is a burly Vortec 6.0-liter V8 producing 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The optional Duramax 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 mill pumps out 397 horsepower and 765 pound-feet of torque. Both V8 engines have a six-speed automatic with RWD or AWD, although the diesel gets a reinforced Allison 1000 gearbox.
Bigger Brakes, Stronger Stopping Power
The 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500HD is a big and heavy truck. The diesel crew cab version tips the scales at over 7,500 pounds (3,425 kg), so it needs potent brakes to stop on a dime. The stock 14-inch front and rear disc brakes are good enough for everyday use, but upgrading to a big brake kit ensures reliable stopping power when towing or carrying heavy loads. Most brake upgrades for the Chevy Silverado include more significant 15-inch ventilated and slotted brake discs and multi-piston brake calipers. Larger rotors give more surface area and mass to dissipate heat, and also provide more area to grip. Increasing the number of pistons in the caliper improves braking action by better distributing it across the rotor face, which allows for more force to be applied without seeing a massive increase in heat produced. In addition, big brake kits are outfitted with a new set of braided stainless steel brake lines. Stock rubber brake hoses are prone to swelling under hydraulic movement. The added reinforcement of the stainless steel brading can reduce the amount of swell and instead transmit this wasted motion back into the caliper. Best of all, bigger brakes have a firmer and more responsive braking feel, good attributes to have when towing in your Chevy Silverado HD.
Let’s Get Loud
Making a statement is easy when you’re behind the wheel of a 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500HD. But you can make a louder presence by installing a nifty exhaust upgrade. Axle-back exhaust kits are enough to give your truck a more powerful exhaust sound, but cat-back exhausts are preferable if you want to unleash more power, more torque, and a throatier exhaust roar. The goal behind an exhaust upgrade is to reduce engine backpressure and expediate flow using larger-diameter, mandrel-bent piping and free-flow mufflers. Many mufflers use some variation of a straight through design, which produces the least restriction and the most sound. For those that want moderate level exhaust notes, mufflers that use acoustically tuned baffled chambers are the way to go. All that said, a quality cat-back exhaust system that incorporates all of the above can net 10-15 extra horsepower and alongside an all-new custom sound.
Exciting Performance
Nothing beats the sound and pulling power of a V8 engine. However, installing a cold air intake will do more than squeeze out more power and torque from your 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500HD. Most cold air intake kits have reusable and washable high-flow air filters that are more efficient and economical than factory paper filters. These conical filters sport multiple layers of filtration and are predicated on the principle of depth loading, where paper filters rely on surface filtering. The difference between the two is that a surface loading filter has decreased area and volume available in which to filter, thereby is easier to clog and bog down airflow. Coupled with a high flow filter, cold air intakes also aim to reduce air turbulence entering the manifold and are strategically placed to draw in cool air. Cooler air is more oxygen rich, thereby supporting a bigger combustion. The net effect is your 2016 Silverado 2500 will have a better throttle response better acceleration and a unique intake sound. And while most cold air intake kits do not require ECU retuning, tuning the engine to account for the intake is the best way to maximize its potential.
