BLUE'03

I would like to get the most horsepower for my money and keep adding to it when funds are available.Where do you start..cam,tune what? . Trying to figure out where to start has my head spinning . I would like to go in an order that everything ends up working together. Please help

greentahoe

iTrader: (2)

Its going to depend on how much you have to spend and how far you want to take it. I dont know much about the little bolt on stuff. I would save for 6.0 swap. They are like 1200-1500 and up, but when you compare the prices of common bolt ons it really is a good deal.
$250 for ASP pulley
$400 for EL fans
$700 for stall
$200-$300 for intake
etc.
Or get a dry kit for $400-500

BLUE'03

I have been thinking about the 6.0 swap but that won't be in the budget for awhile.What would be good bolt ons that could be swapped over to the 6.0?

treyZ28

I thought about it and I decided i'm doing the 6.0 first. A crate 6.0 for $2700 cant be wrong!

Plus i can sell my 4.8 and 4L60 and grab a 4L80 for another $700 on top of it. Then a lift kit and i'm content

BADMOFO

I'd say buy a used HPPIII. You can use it and then as you complete your mods, and are ready for a custom tune, turn around and sell it and get your money back. I noticed by biggest gains from the HPPIII and the Yank converter, each of which gave me 4 to 5 tenths in ET reduction. I've got a 6.0L sitting here that I've had since March, but want to put a cam in it before I install it and I really haven't had the time for anything lately. Hopefully once Little League is over in early June I'll get it in.

F8L Z71

I say do all the basic bolt-ons since you will need them anyway if you decide to step up to the big time. OR just keep it all stock and get a supercharger or turbo kit. Depends if you can commit yourself to saving money for the big stuff.

Another thing you can do is get a set of LS1 heads and have them milled to raise compression ($600 or so) or find a set of 6.0L heads and do the same. This is after you do your cam of course. The extra cubes are nice but I htink alot of the gain you get is due to the heads on the 6.0L which are much better than the 5.3L stock for stock.

You kinda have to decide what you want out of the truck though. You can easily get tons of HP/TQ with FI and still be smog legal if you do it right. Something really nice about not having to tear the truck down to get it ready for smog. LOL

greentahoe

iTrader: (2)

If you arent ready for that kind of financial commitment yet, stick with maybe a catback system, nitrous, or some LT headers. The LT headers really arent all that affordable though since you are looking at $750 plus install (welding). If I were you I would just get a nitrous kit. The less expensive stuff really isnt going to help as much dollar for dollar. Stick with the basics and save up for the good stuff. You cant go wrong with a supercharger, nitrous, motor swap, or if you are going to stick with the 5.3, slap a cam in there with some tuning. Its all relatively expensive. In reality you will be happier if you wait it out.

BLUE'03

What would be a good cam to go with?I wouldn't mind a cam with a good lope to it.I guess I'll do some smaller things to the 5.3 and start saving for the 6.0.I got a good friend that works for a chevy dealership in the parts department,I'll talk to him about a 6.0.