So I've been a member of the forum here for a couple of days now, and after reading through a bunch of threads, I find myself wondering if I have the right vehicle for what I want. I have the 3.7 liter base model, bone stock. I'm looking to put at least 35's with a rancho 4" lift kit, along with a few other goodies. the more I think about it, the more i think i should just trade my rig in for an alpha, or supercharge it? I've only had my H3 for about 4 months now and I love it, but I'm just wondering if its the ride I really want to start a project with. I looking to build a vehicle that is very capable and can hold its own off-road. but I dont want my truck to be struggling to make it up to 70 mph. I'm pretty new as far as building my own H3 and I thought maybe some of you Hummer old timers would be able to help me out and give me some pointers. Thanks guys

 

Hello and welcome. There are all kinds of guys here that can help you out. I haven't had this for long only five or six months. But they are awesome and plenty capable. Build away man by all means.
Tires, shocks, skids, racks, lights, hood lovers,bumpers,winch,rims,paint,engine upgrades.
Pick some plus more. I ain't a genius but i think a supercharger h3 would be my route. I don't think there is alot of difference between alpha and normal. Engines or maybe some upgraded driveline parts might be all. Enjoy the hummer and i say build on and have the custom h3.

 

Drewski, If you are looking for a daily driven H3 that will have highway "ballz" with 315s, and all the HEAVY OffRoad protection and "stuff" (Sliderz, skidz, lift kit, rack, winch, bumper, recovery equip, etc.) go with an Alpha (V8 and more explained below!). I assume you already know you don't need any lift kit to wheel with 315s. They fit on a bone stock H3.

I'm not sure what year you have but the Alpha regardless of year (08,09,10), OffRoad Package or not will have a Cast Iron Front Diff (stronger) and the newer (larger/stronger) half shafts. 08 Alpha OffRoads will have a Rear e-locker and 4:1 t-case. The 09-10 Alpha OffRoads will have both Front and Rear e-lockers and 4:1 t-case. The Alphas also come with 4:10 gears VS the I5 with 4:56 gears. I mention this because you can swap the 4:56s for the 4:10s later if you feel you need even more power.

When we get closer to our warranty exparation dates (both 10s with under 25K) we will be swapping the 4:10s in the Alpha that has 37s to 4:56s. Maybe sooner, who knows.

Hope this helps and clears some things up fer ya!

 

See i told you there were people on here to help you. Also i said i wast real knowledgeable with them though. I didn't realize the alpha had that much different than the normal.

 

If you retain 33" tires, and go with 305s (same width as the 315/35" tire), and mod the 3.7 [turbo/super charging is for little girls ], it has more than enough balz.

I can assure you my 3 can run with any stock V8. Put 35s on an I5 H3, and they suck a bunch of power by changing the final gear ratio. Mods will help offset that, but IMHO 35s are for the Alphas. Tainter and I have had this conversation, I agree with his assessment. That is not to say 35s should not be put on I5s, we know tons of guys running that package. It is a trade off or balancing act that you have to determine what works best for you.

What you need to consider is most 35" tires are not truly 35" in Dia, rather they are 34 something", whereas most 33" tires are in fact 33" in Dia. Case in point, 315 MTZs are actually 34.5", compared to 305 MTZs which are 33.1". The total difference in Dia. being 1.4". Total difference in ground clearance is 1.4" divided by 2 = 0.7" or not even 3/4 of an inch.

Tainters Mr. Blue Alpha on the left with 315s, my Black Adventure on the right with 305s.


In off road dress, my 07 H3 is just shy of 6000#, the Big Block boat in the pic below is 4400#, the trailer another 1100#, 440 miles one way. Pushing the GVW and towing load passed the limit. I would never be able to do that with 35s, even with my full mod package.

 

The I5 performance Full Monty:

Air Doc Intake with AFE Pro-Dry S filter, PCMforless tune, PCM E Fan conversion, Port Polished Throttle Body, MagnaFlow Cat Back exhaust, and synthetic oil. It works, creates a significant bump in HP and TQ, and I get 17.5 MPG every where, more on the highway. Best part, completely reliable.

No doubt if I shed weight by nixing the BA winch bumper, RR Sliders, UCP, RocDoc U Bolt Skidz and Diff Cover, and went with 285s (33" tires an inch narrower than 305s) performance and efficiency would go up, but...... I like my truck just the way it is.

Everybody I have ever had personal contact with that has turbo or super charged an I5 H3 or Colly/Canyon, has had nothing trouble tracking down problems and glitches after spending ridiculous cabbage.

 

I totally agree with everything Doc said IF you are going to stay with 305s or even 315s. But I read your first post and saw this:

"I'm looking to put at least 35's with a rancho 4" lift kit, along with a few other goodies"

That tells me you will eventually want more. Like 37s or ??? That is the main reason I suggested the Alpha over the I5 with all the mods. Plus the bonuses of Cast Iron front Diff, tie rods, half shafts, etc. for the OffRoad portion of your HUMMERs life.

 

Thanks for all the input guys, I really appreciate it! It looks to me that maybe this spring i'll be looking for a black alpha somewhere.