Increase horsepower

[Wege]

Looking to increase my horsepower by 50 or so to a 2018 5.3 litre. Already have a cold air intake and a throttle control module. 

[MikeNH]

The throttle control does nothing but make it open sooner. No power gain. 50 HP is gonna be tough. You *might* get there with a cam, full exhaust and tune. Lower axle gearing will probably put more power to the wheels, especially if you lift it.

[m3n00b]

Supercharge it

[wforrest08]

Are you running E85 (assuming your truck is compatible)? Supposedly it’s 40hp with the stock fuel mapping on the dyno or so says multiple posts on other threads. I can tell you I can definitely tell the difference with my tuned 015 between 91 and E85 on the ol butt dyno.

[Mileguru]

Agree with E85 and also tune for it. Probably your easiest and cheapest route.

Could also go with long tube headers, but you'd still need get a tune.

 

I personally supercharge my trucks and call it a day. Yes, very expensive, but I want to get all the power with one mod and enjoy it instead of spending 100's and low 1000's of dollars for small gains. One and done.

[Papa Smurf Rides On]

I got 42 rwhp out of long tubes, intake and tune, $1800 in parts and buddy labor.  Unless you find a used supercharger, you're looking at big dollars.  And yes, E85 should add another 40 or so.  

[simonsd0708]

I got 42 rwhp out of long tubes, intake and tune, $1800 in parts and buddy labor.  Unless you find a used supercharger, you're looking at big dollars.  And yes, E85 should add another 40 or so.  

I’m assuming you tuned on 93? Or is that still on 87 gas


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[Bohanan23]

Longtubes, full exhaust (x pipe setup), L86 manifold and throttle body, Volant CAI, and E85. Good N/A combo that averages 17+ city and 20+ highway MPG. Enough to run 13's at the track if you desire. Roughly 350-380 rwhp and 360-390 rwtq

[Nitrousbird]

E85 plus a GOOD performance tune should be your first bet.  Not some handheld BS tune.  If you don't have a Flex Fuel truck, a sensor will need to be added as well.  You can help fund this slightly by selling that stupid pedal commander as your throttle mapping can be adjusted in the tune as well.

 

This will give you easily your best bang for the buck in performance.

[flyingfool]

keep the pedal commander, they work great for taming the high power output and boosting MPG by allowing you to revert back to the OEM throttle settings. you cant flick a switch with a ecu tune and go back to stock as easily. 

 

long tubes and x-pipe. get the smaller primaries ( 1-3/4"). all these guys run  1-7/8" headers and loose alot of the usable low end power.  

6.2 throttle and manifold, a good valve sand blasting service would be good too.

180 thermostat and trans t-stat delete., 17" steel rims with sticky tires