Want More Hp Outa My Truck, Don't Know Where To Start

[botzjason]

My name is jason and I'm new to this whole forum deal.

I've got a 2000 sierra 5.3L with a true dual exhaust dumped at the cab, an aftermarket intake and a superchips microtuner. All of which the previous owner installed on the truck.

I work on trucks rather often so I know my way around under a hood. I'm lookin to get as much HP as I can without breaking the bank, but I really don't know where to start. Any suggestions or help would be a bet.

[Stevens03]

Well, a cam upgrade, e-fans and a custom tune will get you started. What gears do you have? Depending on what gears, a gear swap will help get you out of the hole quicker too. Also, depending on the exhaust, it could be hurting and not helping. The 5.3L need a little back pressure to make torque so something to consider as well. Example.... I replaced the factory exhaust with a flowmaster 40-series dual exit. I lost low end torque. I know this because I towed alot. I later installed Magnaflow dual exist and picked up the torque I lost and maybe more.

 

Welcome to the site

[botzjason]

Well I'm not quite sure on the gears, i had 3:73s and when the rear end went out i replaced the entire rear end with a rear end from an 03 silverado. The exhaust, like i said was installled before i bought it, it sounds good but I couldn't say otherwise. E fans being? Electric cooling fans? In regards to exhaust what would you recommend? And where to get a custom tune?

[Stevens03]

Well I'm not quite sure on the gears, i had 3:73s and when the rear end went out i replaced the entire rear end with a rear end from an 03 silverado. The exhaust, like i said was installled before i bought it, it sounds good but I couldn't say otherwise. E fans being? Electric cooling fans? In regards to exhaust what would you recommend? And where to get a custom tune?

 

Personal choice would be Magnaflow because I know it works and sounds just a good as the flowmaster but a hair quieter. Yes... Electric fans either Flex-a-lite dual fans or a nice set of LS1 or LT1 dual cooling fans will free up some power, and the custom tune from Blackbear performance. They are a site sponsor too, so look to the right column to find them

[Doug_Scott]

Well I'm not quite sure on the gears, i had 3:73s and when the rear end went out i replaced the entire rear end with a rear end from an 03 silverado. The exhaust, like i said was installled before i bought it, it sounds good but I couldn't say otherwise. E fans being? Electric cooling fans? In regards to exhaust what would you recommend? And where to get a custom tune?

 

Unless you got lucky you most likely ended up with either 3.23 or 3.42 gears. Did you happen to keep the old rear end? What went on it? Did it ruin the ring and pinion?

[botzjason]

Well I'm not quite sure on the gears, i had 3:73s and when the rear end went out i replaced the entire rear end with a rear end from an 03 silverado. The exhaust, like i said was installled before i bought it, it sounds good but I couldn't say otherwise. E fans being? Electric cooling fans? In regards to exhaust what would you recommend? And where to get a custom tune?

 

Unless you got lucky you most likely ended up with either 3.23 or 3.42 gears. Did you happen to keep the old rear end? What went on it? Did it ruin the ring and pinion?

 

I did not keep the old rear end and I was thinkin it was 3:23 due to the loss of power coming out of the hole, and honestly like I was sayin earlier I'm lookin to get that back but I'm looking to get more than that. I want more power out of the hole and top end

[botzjason]

I will deff look into those parts, any idea where I might be able to find such

parts, so I can find out what I'm looking at cost wise

[fraiolib]

save your pennies and get a magnacharger

[botzjason]

What headers would you recommend for my truck?

[Wingnut]

More power out of the hole AND top end? Don't go too steep on the gears then. 3.73 is about right for that (on factory sized tires anyway). 4.10's are pretty good, but you'll run out of steam once you REALLY get moving. Not sure how big of a top end you're wanting though.

 

2wd? 4wd?

 

Headers and a cam will do wonders. A nice torque converter will get you out of the hole in a RUSH when paired with a good cam. But if you tow at all, you can't go too wild on the TC.

 

But if you've got 5 or 6 grand to throw at it...Forced induction is the way to go