05' 1/2 ton CC 5.3/4L60E with 3.23's out back, 7K miles on her now. I sold my 03 7.3 Powerstroke that put 320 HP and 639 Ft Lbs of torque to the tires, so my little 5.3 needs a little help. I have done alot of reading up on the mods to the 5.3 (Hot Rod, Car Craft, How to Build High Perf LS1/LS6, etc...) The thing that really seems to wake these trucks up is the cam change (like the 02 LS6, Lingenfelter, SLP) bang for the buck anyway. On average, I have read @ a 40 HP increase is what to expect with a cam change. This truck is my daily driver, but I would like to see @ 350-375 HP and @ the same amount of torque at the flywheel. Right now it is BONE STOCK, have made no changes. But, I am looking at the cam swap, cat back, and an air filter. With these cam changes, can the valve springs be swapped without removing the heads? I know it can be done on other cars (like my Small Block Ford) but not real familiar with the 5.3 setup. Also, am I going to be running into piston to valve clearance issue's? What about the computer, do I need to have it reprogrammed when I make these changes, or is just an option? Thanks for the tips guys, so shoot them to me!!!!

 

some cams you dont HAVE to reprogram with but it is best to have it programmed. do a search and see if you can find a list of sierracrews mods. he has his crewcab scootin along damn good

 

also, a tune can get ya around 30 hp before you even swap cams. its probably the best bang for the buck mod you can do.

 

i say get ls1 fans, cold air kit, and a nelson wiring harness and a nelson tune. man i got that tune and i was like WOW.

 

350-375 on stock motor is going to take some doing even with the 5.3. It will most likely require some headwork. My best dyno to date was 321 with the mods in my sig below, granted this was with a half-assed tune after the headers and cam swap. I have a proper tune now, so I should be somewhere in the range of 330-340 hopefully. Not saying that it can't be done, with a larger cam possibly.

Good luck on your goals thought and this is a great site to get information on how to get there.

 

You are at 321 at THE TIRES right? I am looking for 350-375 at the flywheel, but I get your drift. And guys thanks for the info, as I am really excited about the potential with this motor. LS1 fans? I already have the twin electric, is there a difference? Also, what are the limits on the stock injectors?

 

Hey SierraCrew, you are in Alvin? I am in Pearland, on the Friendswood side, so we are back yard neighbors! Any chance meeting up so i can take a look at your truck? Also, you do the cam swap your self? Thanks!

 

no difference on the fans. 05 models come with electric fans. we all had to scavenge junk yards to find fans for our trucks

i say get a good intake and free flowing exhaust and a custom tune and see if your happy with that before you crack open the motor. regearing the truck would make it feel like its a whole lot more powerfull down low. especially going from a 323 to a 373 or 390

 

GenIII53,

Yeah, I am at 321 or more at the wheels. I guess that translates into just under 400 or so to the fly. It will still take some doing, time, and money, but is definitely possible. No, since yours is and 05, it came stock with electric fans, so there is no difference. My sugesstion to you would be to have it dyno'd for a baseline power level, I wish I had done this before I started on mine. I see you are in Pearland, there are a few places local to us that does dyno's, let me know if you want to meet up sometime. I live not too far away in Alvin.

And yes, most likely, with most cams, a little bit of tuning is necessary, even if its just to get the idle right. Also, I would suggest getting at least a mild torque converter depending on the cam that you go with, or you'll see very little help off the line. And the 3.23's are killing ya. I started with 3.42's on mine and went to 3.90's and am still seeing 19 +/- mpg average. The best thing to do is decide before you start what your goals are and then map out a plan, because certain mods work better with others than some. Hopefully this helps.

 

Great, thanks. I just got back from a trip to Arkansas, and with the cruise @ 70, I managed 21.5. Around town, I get 16-17. But, she is LAZY down low with these 3.23's. I planned on doing the cat back and air filter first, and then the cam, but maybe I will do the programmer first. BUT, if I do the cam AFTER the programmer, will I need to get a new program for the cam??? I do wan to do a dyno session, and take it out to Houston Raceway Park and see what she has in her, bone stock and all, and see the progress of the mods. I gotta finish this Big Block Dodge Challenger in my garage also, HAHAHAHA. Projects, ya gotta love em.