Anyone Care To Pass Along Some Performance Upgrades That Work

XYZ · July 1, 2010

I am getting tired of this dog under the hood of my 2003 Sierra disguising itself as a 4.8L V-8. I have an aftermarket air intake set-up with an AEM filter, and MSD wires, but haven't really looked at much else, since I use this vehicle daily for my job. Who has added/installed things that have actually worked, made decent gains, with usable acceleration?

oldscsc · July 1, 2010

The best bang for your buck would probably be a rear gear swap (probably to 4:10's). What ratio are you currently running?

isaidme · July 1, 2010

tuner, cat back exhaust right off the bat. A gear swap will help you off the line but I would go lower then 3.73 unless you are going to do alot on engine work.

jro909 · July 1, 2010

gears, and a tune....unless you want to really blow your wad on the mods for a blower

gnet158 · July 1, 2010

Don't forget to Seafoam your truck. The cheapest performance gain!

XYZ · July 2, 2010

It has 3.42s, but having owned/driven vehicles with everything from 2.41s to 4.11s, this thing sure doesn't feel like a vehicle with 3.42s.

jro909 · July 3, 2010

your lacking in the torque department...you need torque to get that pile of steel moving....just be glad your not rolling in a 4.3 with 3.42s now thats a terd

Nytemare · July 4, 2010

Your biggest issue is what GM put in the brain box to hold your POS trans together...Torque Management.

Get a tune for it. My truck was just like yours.....I got a tune and it was night and day man.

If you do plan on getting a cat back....headers cams high stall converter...etc etc etc...get them before the tune and tell your tuner about them...They will make adjustments accordingly to maximize your gains.

My 4.8L put down 276hp at the rear wheels after the tune and I could chirp 2nd gear, and I got my tune from Wait4Me. I hear Justin and Jenna (Black Bear Performance) do a better job with they're tunes. You will be blown away at the difference man. And that 4L60E gear hunt will be gone....your shifts become much more firm and positive.

XYZ · July 4, 2010

What's the going rate for a tune? I bought a tweaked computer for my supercharged W-body Regal, and it was only $99.99 plus shipping. Seems the tweaked computers for trucks are well over 300 bucks, which seems kinda steep comparatively. If a tune is anywhere near that, I'd splurge and get a tweaked box, and save the hassle of trying to find some monkey locally who knows what the hell they're doing...the cat-back seems alright, and considering another MAF to compliment the aftermarket air-intake set-up.

Nytemare · July 5, 2010

What's the going rate for a tune? I bought a tweaked computer for my supercharged W-body Regal, and it was only $99.99 plus shipping. Seems the tweaked computers for trucks are well over 300 bucks, which seems kinda steep comparatively. If a tune is anywhere near that, I'd splurge and get a tweaked box, and save the hassle of trying to find some monkey locally who knows what the hell they're doing...the cat-back seems alright, and considering another MAF to compliment the aftermarket air-intake set-up.

The stock MAF is good for about 600 wheel horsepower before it starts giving issues.

A mail order tune (tweaked ECM) is around the $300 area. The absolute best most bang for your buck you will ever add to your truck. what other mod can you add and honestly get 20-50HP increase. Not to mention the added bonus of firmed up shifting and better shift points.

BlackOut V8 · July 6, 2010

honestly just doing maintenance will make the truck run better. Whenever I buy a vehicle I do all the maintenance FIRST and then start doing the mods. It will make your truck run cleaner / more efficient and in return you get power.

No clue what you have done to your ride but these are some things I focused on when I got mine that will help you get that extra HP.

- Spark plugs

- o2 sensors

- Air Filter

- Fuel Filter

- Coolant change

- Throttle Body Clean

etc...

Then I would do a fresh oil change and see how your truck runs. It will be much better if these maintenance items are needed.

After that you could spend some cash on an intake and an exhaust to get some air into the beast. Then like these guys are saying get yourself a tune so Justin @ BlackBear Performance can get some more gas in the beast resulting in more HP. MORE AIR + MORE FUEL = MORE HP

Justin @ BlackBear can also improve your shifting through torque management and shift timing.

BlackOut V8

BlackOut V8 · July 6, 2010

PS. I run a 4.8L on 22's and only have an intake and exhaust. I am getting a tune soon but at this point my truck has lots of power and can beat other trucks with the 5.3L no problem.

BlackOut V8

jro909 · July 6, 2010

PS. I run a 4.8L on 22's and only have an intake and exhaust. I am getting a tune soon but at this point my truck has lots of power and can beat other trucks with the 5.3L no problem.

BlackOut V8

beat a 5.3 stock? riight

amtz.zero · July 6, 2010

Find out when Black Bear performance will be in your area. That's definitely your best bang for the buck.

BlackOut V8 · July 7, 2010

PS. I run a 4.8L on 22's and only have an intake and exhaust. I am getting a tune soon but at this point my truck has lots of power and can beat other trucks with the 5.3L no problem.

BlackOut V8

beat a 5.3 stock? riight

ill race ya, haha but yeah its pretty quick