new owner

[benis]

hello

i just bought a 2000 silverado 1500 w/ the 5300 vortec.

right now, its got flowmaster exhaust, box cover, and astrostart/alarm

just wondering if anyone has any recommendations or suggestions about what to watch out for or what to add.

in particular, i would be looking for headers, an intake, and possibly a PCM swap. whats the best way to go? and what other kinds of basic mods would you guys recommend?

 

thanks

Brian

[Shaners]

Welcome to the forum Brian!!!

 

I would think that headers would be a great place to start, then followed by a PCM swap.

 

Get all your mods done before you swap the PCM, then you only have to have the "tune" installed once.

[benis]

Thanks for the reply

As far as headers go, what brands are preferred for this engine? I have TOG headers on my car and am very satisfied with them. How do they compare to others for the 5300? I'm making the assumption that long tube headers are generally preferred over shorties, too; is that the case?

Also, the PCM swap issue: what are the options? Does anyone (i.e Hypertech) make a programmer or is the only choice a PCM? Also, I suppose, if there are both, which will provide the most benefit?

Thanks

Brian

 

p.s. please bear w/ me guys. i am young and pretty new to the world of v8s, i'm more accustomed to the companies and products available for supercharged v6s.

[Ideeho]

K&N and switch to Mobil 1 at the first oil change.

[Shaners]

I've heard alot of good things about TOG headers.

 

As far as computer upgrades: The best handheld seems to be the "Predator".

 

The best computer PCM swap seems to be the Westers (which I am running). It is custom tuned for your vehicle by Lyndon Wester, and appears invisible to the GM TechII scanner.

 

TByrne Motorsports (a preffered vendor on the left side of your page) has alot of performance upgrades for your new truck listed on his website. In fact he just did a group purchase of Wester PCM's (sorry you missed out).

[LikeaRock14]

A few good brands for headers are Gibson, J.B.A. (which I'm currently looking into buyinf for my 454. I've heard great things about them too), Bassani, TOG I'd assume, and more. Dynatech makes a whole package w/ headers, hi-flo cats, and a new y-pipe for the newer GM trucks w/ a 4.8 and 5.3 ltr engine config. All stainless/coated. I'd reccomend this, since you get the whole shebang in one package. It's supposed to bolt up to the factory exhaust flange before the muffler, tso there's no problem there.

as far as an intake, I'd say Volant, but also K&N since it's a trusted brand, been around for a while. We run these filters on all of our race cars and street cars, couldn't be happier.

An ECU upgrade that would be nice, as for a swap out, is a Westers Garage ECU, everyone seems to have good comments about them. I've had three JET eqipped vehicles, and I personally couldn't be happier. Great throttle responce, firmer shift points etc. I'm also looking into swapping it with a Westers tho, so I can have the chip more programmed for towing. Two more great mods would be a Jacobs electronics ignition and a throttle body spacer. These are great mods you can do to your truck w/out actually touching the engin'es main components

[benis]

someone recommended an AEM Brute Force intake to me, any opinions on that?

[Stepside Z]

K&N and switch to Mobil 1 at the first oil change.

Welcome to the site.

I had a K & N FIPK on the 01 Silverado I use to own. It worked really well with the Gibson Catback exhaust. I also used Mobil 1 and the first thing I noticed was that the truck started easier. Enjoy the new ride.