8100hammer

F8L Z71 : Why you compare the new ford 3valve numbers to the old 5.3 numbers
Don't the new 05 5.3's come with 310 hp. PLus I have yet to see ford ohc engine put down the numbers that GM has made N/A

How about this instead:
'03 ford triton 265 hp
'03 chevy 5.3 295hp

Silverchado: This is the order in which you should buy things
1. laptop and LS1edit.
1.5 home made cold air kit
2. Trans. work and converter
3. Full exhuast headers back, and with electric cutouts for race day to extract every last horse
3.5 elec. fans
4. Heads, rocker arms, and springs to reflect your cam choice
5. Cam, your choice,but since the 5.3 is oversquare nice long duartion and good lift(hence cam that is good in the 3000 to 5600rpm range).
6. Then all little bolt-ons, ls6 intake, TB, and etc.
7. When ready pull the 5.3, bypass the 6.0 install, put in twin turbo 8.1 and destroy ALL.

F8L Z71

Just went to the Ford website and the GMC website. Those are the #s printed there.....

As for your list there are a few things I would rearange, namely LS1 Edit. I never recomend Edit and a laptop to someone who asks these types of quesitons for the simple fact chances are very slim they would know how to use it.

Sport Side

iTrader: (6)

definetly true. buying edit or a self tuner as involved as edit/hp tuners/elive could easily discourage a new enthusiast w/o help.

8100hammer

So I guess you are saying people can not learn?

From what he said in the begining, I am sure He can handle it. If he gets stuck on something there always ls1tech.com for answers!

Besides He is going to need it to get the motor to work right with all the mods, unless he has a trusted tuner to take his vehicle to. Far as depending on a mail-order tune for updating when changes are made, I wish I had bought ls1edit instead of mail-order. And now I get to spend another $500 on Ls1edit now plus a Laptop and datalogging software. Now I wish could get back my $500 for my mail-tune and put it towards a engine tuning software setup. Through all the hassles I had with my mail-order tune, I would been fair handy with edit by now. And not at the mercy of them and whenever they going to sent out the tune(3 weeks after I put the order for an update for a cam, and core charge was billed still do not have it). Once through the learning curve, he will enjoy tuning his own motor at his own pace on his own time. An not to somebody elses time line, and what they think as timly service.

For making lot changes to a ls1 based motor, Do right and do yourself. Next time around I am. live and learn I guess.

Sport Side

iTrader: (6)

Cam choice should be made last, not before bolt ons. But I do agree with tuning first, I was just mentioning it might be difficult for a beginning enthusiast.

8100, what tuner did you have trouble with?

8100hammer

See sig.

'00 Buck

Silverchado, from what I understand if you use an LS1 or LS6 intake the throttle body will be in a different position than the truck intake, simply because they're designed for F bodies and Corvettes. Also, I've read enough to see that the truck intake has nothing wrong with it, just not designed to flow well at 6,500 rpms like an LS6 intake. Personally, I've decided to not fool with it. It does fine up to 5,500. I'm getting old, my engine rarely gets up there anymore. No Viagra jokes, please.

O3GMC

Ok this is the answer nobody likes to hear....

Roughly adding up the performance stuff on your first list, being conservative and even leaving some stuff out....I came up with over $4000 - all of which I know wouldn't give you 100hp. About $800 more and you could buy a Radix kit which includes everything you would need to install it yourself, quite easily. Its a one day install for ~100hp, great driveability and tons of "under the curve - part throttle power" as well. IMO its the best bang for your buck. I've heard great things about the STS turbo as well which is less expensive than the radix.

I'm just offering this opinion because I know what its like to spend a little money on alot of mods, only to add up to something youre not really happy with performance-wise.

03Screamer

iTrader: (1)

I would have to agree with what has been said. The mods that you have listed are definately not value oriented. As far as straight line performance, about the only mod that you listed that would make a significant difference would be the converter and tune. Even with all the mods you listed you still wouldn't be close to touching even a stock L. If I had to decide for you, I'd by a used or new 6.0 long block, drop a cam in, a converter, tune, and posi/gears and be done with it, instead of wasting money on chicken **** parts like a MAF sensor etc.. That's my opinion, so take it for what it's worth. I just think you'd be very dissapointed if you spent all your money on the parts you mentioned. Heads and cam for your 5.3 can run very quick times, but a tune is VERY important in preventing driveability/reliability issues if you go with a half-way radical set-up. Even with a good tune, it's not guaranteed that you'll not have cold start, surging, a/c issues etc... A Radix or STS is also great option if you're willing to spend a bit more cash. The STS, imo is a better value, and has great power pontential. The Radix is a very proven set-up with excellent reliability and driveability. Good luck!