Nelson Performance

Nelson Performance GM LS & LT Performance, Diagnostics & Tuning LSx Performance Specialists
Trucks/cars/suv
GO FAST! In house dyno, tuning, custom wiring, installation, parts.

HPTUNERSD - FAST XFi - Holley EFI

Please contact Nelson performance at 210-626-0278 or at [email protected] for any orders or detailed pricing questions/ inquiries.

πŸ”₯ STOP PUTTING SWEATERS ON YOUR SPARK PLUG WIRES. πŸ”₯One of the most common things we see after a header installation (don...
06/18/2026

πŸ”₯ STOP PUTTING SWEATERS ON YOUR SPARK PLUG WIRES. πŸ”₯

One of the most common things we see after a header installation (done by others) is spark plug wires covered in heat sleeves. Most people assume the sleeve is protecting the wire from heat, but that's not always what's happening.

The problem is that the sleeve can trap heat around the spark plug boot and wire. Over time, excessive heat accelerates the breakdown of the silicone insulation. As the silicone dries out, it can become brittle, crack, and lose its ability to properly insulate the spark plug wire.

When that insulation begins to fail, the spark can leak to ground before it ever reaches the spark plug. The result can be misfires, poor performance, drivability issues, and premature wire failure.

Our preferred solution is to start with the right wire for the application.

That's why we use Hinson Motorsports ignition wires on all of our header installations.

βœ… 45Β° boots provide improved header clearance

βœ… High-temperature silicone construction

βœ… Designed to withstand the extreme temperatures found around performance headers

βœ… Proper fitment helps keep the wire away from the heat source instead of trying to hide it with a sleeve

The goal isn't to trap the heat.

The goal is to avoid it.

The right fitment and the right components will always outperform a band-aid solution.

Have questions about your header installation or ignition system? Give Nelson Performance a call at 210-626-0278.

πŸ₯΅β„️ SWEATING IN A CADILLAC? NOT TODAY. ❄️πŸ₯΅This 2017 Cadillac Escalade came in because the A/C just wasn't keeping up wit...
06/17/2026

πŸ₯΅β„️ SWEATING IN A CADILLAC? NOT TODAY. ❄️πŸ₯΅

This 2017 Cadillac Escalade came in because the A/C just wasn't keeping up with the Texas heat.

After testing the system, we found a leaking condenser and low refrigerant. With the Escalade approaching 10 years old, the customer chose to repair the system the right way instead of replacing one part and risking additional failures later.

We installed:

βœ… New condenser
βœ… New compressor
βœ… New compressor lines
βœ… Complete system flush
βœ… Vacuum test and recharge to factory specifications

Why replace everything?

When major A/C components begin to fail on an older vehicle, other parts in the system are often not far behind. By replacing the related components now, the customer avoids paying additional labor later and gains confidence that the entire system is ready for the long Texas summer ahead.

The result? Ice-cold A/C, improved reliability, and a much happier driver. πŸ˜Žβ„οΈ

If your A/C isn't keeping up, don't wait until you're sweating through your shirt at a stoplight.

πŸ“ž Nelson Performance
210-626-0278

πŸ”₯ POWER IS USELESS WITHOUT TRACTION πŸ”₯This 2024 Camaro SS came in for a drag pack and Wilwood rear brake upgrade to help ...
06/16/2026

πŸ”₯ POWER IS USELESS WITHOUT TRACTION πŸ”₯

This 2024 Camaro SS came in for a drag pack and Wilwood rear brake upgrade to help put the power where it belongsβ€”on the pavement. πŸ’ͺ🏁

A lot of people focus on horsepower, but traction is what wins races.

When a car makes enough power, the factory suspension can struggle to keep the rear tires planted during hard acceleration. This can lead to wheel hop, inconsistent launches, and lost performance.

βœ… Improved rear tire bite
βœ… Reduced wheel hop
βœ… More consistent launches
βœ… Better stability under acceleration
βœ… Increased braking performance

The upgraded drag pack helps transfer power more efficiently to the rear tires, while the Wilwood rear brake package provides improved braking control to match the car's performance.

πŸ’‘ Fun Fact:
A car with less horsepower but better traction will often outrun a more powerful car that can't effectively put the power to the ground.

Horsepower gets the attention.
Traction gets the results. πŸ‘Š

Whether you're building a street car, weekend racer, or dedicated track machine, the right suspension and brake upgrades can make all the difference.

πŸ“ž 210-626-0278
πŸ“ Nelson Performance

πŸ”₯ HEADER INSTALLS AREN'T ALWAYS JUST BOLT-ON! πŸ”₯This 2015 Chevrolet Suburban came in for a header installation, but once ...
06/15/2026

πŸ”₯ HEADER INSTALLS AREN'T ALWAYS JUST BOLT-ON! πŸ”₯

This 2015 Chevrolet Suburban came in for a header installation, but once we got started, we found a few surprises hiding underneath. πŸ˜…

πŸ”§ Two broken exhaust manifold bolts

πŸ”§ Steering shaft interference caused by the factory rag joint contacting the header during turns

πŸ”§ Incorrect Oβ‚‚ sensors creating inaccurate readings

πŸ”§ Clearance issues around the #8 spark plug

The good news? We were able to remove both broken manifold bolts without removing the cylinder heads, saving the customer significant labor costs. πŸ’ͺ

The #8 spark plug told an interesting story. The threads in the cylinder head were damaged and had to be repaired before reassembly. Upon inspection, the plug showed heavy carbon buildup from a long-term misfire.

What's interesting is that all the other spark plugs appeared to have been replaced before... except #8.

Our guess? The clearance issue made it difficult to access, so it was skipped during previous maintenance. πŸ€”

To solve the steering interference, we replaced the factory rag joint with an upgraded intermediate steering shaft, providing proper header clearance and safe steering operation. βœ…

πŸ’‘ This is why performance upgrades sometimes uncover problems that have been hiding for years.

The customer came in for headers and left with several hidden issues identified and corrected along the way. πŸ”₯

πŸ“ž Nelson Performance
210-626-0278

β„οΈπŸš¨ THE CABIN AIR FILTER WAS MISSING... SO THE EVAPORATOR BECAME THE FILTER. πŸš¨β„οΈThis truck came to us with poor A/C perf...
06/13/2026

β„οΈπŸš¨ THE CABIN AIR FILTER WAS MISSING... SO THE EVAPORATOR BECAME THE FILTER. πŸš¨β„οΈ

This truck came to us with poor A/C performance and an evaporator core that would repeatedly freeze up. πŸ₯Ά

The customer had previously had the entire A/C system replaced elsewhere, including the evaporator core. Unfortunately, one small but critical component was left out...

πŸ‘‰ The cabin air filter.

Without a cabin air filter in place, every bit of dust, dirt, pollen, and debris entering the HVAC system was pulled directly into the evaporator core. Over time, the evaporator became completely contaminated and airflow was severely restricted. πŸŒͺοΈπŸ‚

When airflow across the evaporator drops too low:

❄️ The evaporator temperature falls below freezing
❄️ Ice begins forming on the core
❄️ Airflow gets even worse
❄️ Cabin cooling performance drops
❄️ The HVAC system has to work harder to move air

At that point, cleaning was no longer an option.

The only repair was to remove the entire dashboard, remove the HVAC housing, and replace the evaporator core. πŸ”§πŸ˜¬

As you can see from the picture, this isn't a quick job. Hundreds of fasteners, electrical connectors, brackets, ductwork, and interior components have to be removed just to access the evaporator.

πŸ’‘ A $20 cabin air filter can protect a component that requires many hours of labor to replace.

Sometimes the smallest parts prevent the biggest repairs.

πŸ“ž Nelson Performance
210-626-0278

🚨 Don't wait for DOD lifter failure to leave you stranded! 🚨This 2017 Cadillac Escalade came to Nelson Performance befor...
06/13/2026

🚨 Don't wait for DOD lifter failure to leave you stranded! 🚨

This 2017 Cadillac Escalade came to Nelson Performance before the common DOD (Displacement on Demand) lifter issues had a chance to cause major engine damage. πŸ’ͺ

The owner wanted reliability, performance, and peace of mind, so we performed a complete DOD Delete and upgraded the 6.2L with:

πŸ”₯ TSP Stage 2 Camshaft
πŸ”₯ Long Tube Headers
πŸ”₯ Catted Y-Pipe
πŸ”₯ Custom Calibration

The result? Better sound 🎡, improved throttle response ⚑, increased performance πŸš€, and most importantly, one less thing to worry about down the road. πŸ‘

Many GM 5.3L and 6.2L owners wait until a lifter fails. By then, repairs can become much more expensive. Taking care of the problem before it becomes a problem can save time, money, and headaches. πŸ”§

Thinking about a DOD Delete for your Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade, Camaro, or Corvette?

πŸ“ž 210-626-0278

πŸ–οΈ Planning a summer road trip?The last thing you want is to spend your vacation sitting on the side of the highway wait...
06/11/2026

πŸ–οΈ Planning a summer road trip?

The last thing you want is to spend your vacation sitting on the side of the highway waiting for a tow truck.

Before you hit the road, make sure your vehicle is ready for the extra miles, summer temperatures, and heavy traffic.

Common issues we find before long trips:
βœ”οΈ Cooling system problems
βœ”οΈ Weak batteries
βœ”οΈ Worn belts and tensioners
βœ”οΈ Low fluid levels
βœ”οΈ Brake concerns
βœ”οΈ Tire wear and pressure issues
βœ”οΈ AC performance problems

At Nelson Performance, we provide complete maintenance, diagnostics, and repair services for GM V8-powered cars, trucks, and SUVs. Whether you're heading to the lake, the beach, the mountains, or towing a trailer across Texas, we'll help make sure your vehicle is ready for the journey.

Schedule your inspection before you leave and travel with confidence.

πŸ“ž 210-626-0278

⚠️A PROBLEM THAT LOOKED LIKE A TUNE ISSUE BUT WASN'T⚠️This 2013 Silverado came in with a customer complaint of a harsh s...
06/10/2026

⚠️A PROBLEM THAT LOOKED LIKE A TUNE ISSUE BUT WASN'T⚠️

This 2013 Silverado came in with a customer complaint of a harsh shift when the transmission reached 6th gear. The concern started after a recent tune update, so naturally the tune was the first suspect. πŸ€”

πŸ” Time for diagnostics.

Ray hooked up the scanner and took the truck on a test drive to gather data. After reviewing the information, he brought the Silverado back to the shop and put it on the lift for a closer inspection.

πŸ’₯ What did he find?

A rear main seal leak had been contaminating the transmission mount for quite some time. The oil had deteriorated the rubber inside the mount, allowing the transmission to hang at the incorrect angle.

The result?

❌ Harsh shifting
❌ Transmission misalignment under load

βœ… The tune wasn't the culprit.

The hard shift was being caused by a failed transmission mount that had been damaged by an oil leak.

This is exactly why proper diagnostics matter. Throwing parts at a vehicleβ€”or blaming the tuneβ€”can cost time and money when the real problem is hiding somewhere else. πŸ‘Š

πŸ“ž 210-626-0278

πŸ’₯ 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS πŸ’₯This Camaro came to us after the engine locked up.After tearing the engine down, we found th...
06/09/2026

πŸ’₯ 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS πŸ’₯

This Camaro came to us after the engine locked up.

After tearing the engine down, we found the root cause wasn't what most people would expect.

A lifter failed internally and sent debris through the engine's oiling system. That debris restricted oil flow to the #5 connecting rod bearing, causing the bearing to fail and spin on the crankshaft.

The result?

❌ Crankshaft damage
❌ Engine seizure
❌ Damaged timing chain tensioner

The photos tell the story:
πŸ“Έ Failed lifter debris
πŸ“Έ Damaged crankshaft journal
πŸ“Έ Internal engine damage

This is why proper diagnostics matter. Finding the actual cause of a failure is the only way to make the right repair decision.

Now comes the big question... πŸ€”

Do you repair it with a stock replacement engine? πŸ”§

Or take the opportunity to upgrade it? πŸ”₯

What would you do if it was your Camaro?

πŸ‘‡ Tell us in the comments.

πŸ“ Nelson Performance
πŸ“ž 210-626-0278

πŸ”₯ ELECTRIC FAN CONVERSION COMPLETE! πŸ”₯This clean 2002 Silverado came in for a cooling system upgrade, and we set it up th...
06/08/2026

πŸ”₯ ELECTRIC FAN CONVERSION COMPLETE! πŸ”₯

This clean 2002 Silverado came in for a cooling system upgrade, and we set it up the right way! πŸ’ͺ

A lot of people think you can just bolt on a set of electric fans and call it done. Not quite! πŸ‘€

A proper Silverado electric fan conversion requires:

βœ… 2005+ Silverado electric fans
βœ… 34" radiator
βœ… Electric fan harness
βœ… ECM programming to activate the fans

Without the correct programming, those fans are just expensive decorations! 😎

Why make the switch?

⚑ Improved cooling performance
⚑ Better airflow management
⚑ Reduced drag from the factory clutch fan
⚑ Cleaner engine bay appearance
⚑ More efficient operation

At Nelson Performance, we handle EVERYTHING from start to finish:

πŸ”§ Parts sourcing
πŸ”§ Installation
πŸ”§ Wiring & harness setup
πŸ”§ ECM programming
πŸ”§ Fan activation
πŸ”§ Final testing

No chasing parts.
No wiring headaches.
No guessing.

Just a complete, professional installation that works exactly as it should. πŸ’―

Thinking about upgrading your Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Yukon, Suburban, Camaro, or Corvette?

πŸ“ž Call Nelson Performance today!
☎️ 210-626-0278

🏁 Tuning β€’ Diagnostics β€’ Results 🏁

Address

10034 Roosevelt Avenue
San Antonio, TX
78214

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+12106260278

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