hp help?

HammyJr · October 2, 2006

Hey guys;

I have a '98 Sierra 4x4, 5.7, and I was wondering where to start looking for more performance. I already did the exhaust. It is dual now, with a pair of Flowmaster mufflers. Should I look at programmers, or a cam, or is there an intake upgrade that can be done? You guys sound experienced, so I will shut-up and listen.

Mark_in_Tulsa · October 2, 2006

Well 3 questions.

What gears do you have?

What is your goal?

And what are you willing to spend?

Schmids5.3l · October 2, 2006

Theres gotta be 5000 threads on this...

HammyJr · October 2, 2006

You are right Sam. I should have done a search first. Newbie mistake, sorry.

Hammy

HammyJr · October 2, 2006

I can't seem to find alot using the search, maybe I'm not asking for the right things.

The truck has 3.23's, and at the moment I'm thinking of about $1000. More or less, I was curious as to where to start, best bang for the buck, sort of thing?

Hammy

shorepatrol2 · October 2, 2006

I can't seem to find alot using the search, maybe I'm not asking for the right things.
The truck has 3.23's, and at the moment I'm thinking of about $1000. More or less, I was curious as to where to start, best bang for the buck, sort of thing?

Hammy

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

are you sure it has 3:23's ? if so , definitely lower your gears to 3:73 or 4:10

Schmids5.3l · October 3, 2006

yea, if you have 3.23's, a gear swap is in need For power its simple, getting a tune works great. Also intake and exhaust kits are cheap and easy. But switching from 3.32's to 3.73's or 4.10's wouldnt be like night and day.

shorepatrol2 · October 3, 2006

yea, if you have 3.23's, a gear swap is in need For power its simple, getting a tune works great. Also intake and exhaust kits are cheap and easy. But switching from 3.32's to 3.73's or 4.10's wouldnt be like night and day.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

switching from 3:23 to 3:73 or 4:10 would be like night and day in all driving conditions other than top speed

Schmids5.3l · October 3, 2006

Yep. Im not sure how much a gear swap costs. You could check out a junk yard for a Chevy that got front ended or T-boned or something and get the axle out of it. Just make sure it will bolt up

Plus if you get a tuned PCM or a performance chip, it would be an easy fix for the speedo.

Clavin78 · October 3, 2006

Well if you want different gears, you should probably do that first and then a tuner.

HammyJr · October 3, 2006

I think I was wrong about the 3.23 gears. I think they are 3.73. Obviously they would be the same front and rear diff's, or there would be some carnage in the transfercase, LOL!

I'm thinking about going withe the PCM tune, but Sam, you mentioned an intake swap, and I've heard that the 5.7 intake is very restrictive, but I can't seem to find any for the 5.7, that aren't carb conversions. Do the parts from the 5.3, fit my iron headed 5.7, or does anyone have any sources for this? My intake appears to have a slight oil seepage from the intake manifold, so swapping the cam and intake might be ideal at the moment. I had my exhaust done from the cats back, it's 2 1/4", with Flowmaster mufflers. the cats and the head pipes are stock items.

Thanks Guys;

Hammy

Schmids5.3l · October 3, 2006

Well cold air intakes are controversial. Some people swear by them, others hate them because they dont filter as good as a regular paper filter. Some people claim their K&N messed up some sensors from the oil the filter uses. I currently have a replacement filter thats K&N, the previous owner must ahve put it in. Its not a cone filter, its a regular rectangular filter replaceing the stock filter. So I decided to keep it, and bought the K&N cleaning kit. It hasnt messed up any seonsors. Some people probobly over oil theirs which probobly causes sensors to malfunction.

As for the PCM, I orderd mine from wait4me performance, its the best bang for the buck. But theres a few companys that make custom tuned PCM's, like Westers and pcmforless. wait4me is only $158.10 and you keep your old computer. I think other companys have you ship them your old PCM once you get your new one in the mail, and you get a core charge back. I got 10-15 hp with 87-89 octane tune, better shifts, no top speed governor, and it shifts at 5800rpms instead of 5500-5600. Im pretty satisfied with it, especially for 158 bucks. Their website is www.wait4meperformance.com (i think I spelled performance right, I always seem to spell it wrong)

Ill do a quick search on Summit for air intakes. Theres tons to choose from, some are oiled gauzze filters, some are dry paper cone filters ect.

Heres the link to summit for air intakes

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.as...+115+4294840140

might have to do a copy and paste

HammyJr · October 3, 2006

Sorry Sam, I thought you meant intake manifolds, not cold air intake,(ie: box)

Schmids5.3l · October 3, 2006

Oooh ok. Im sure summit or Edlebrock have some for your truck.

Found this

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.a...15&autoview=sku

Had some trouble finding your truck, because theres 100000 versions, with c1500 k1500 sierra 1500 ect. I think this is the right one

HammyJr · October 3, 2006

Does anyone know if the 5.3 camshaft fits the 5.7? I had found some cams that I believe were Crane or Comp, I did a 5.7 application, their site said it was for a 5.7, but under the description of the cams it said replacement for 4.8/5.3 . I dunno, maybe I'll make some phone calls tomorrow and ask a tech.

I think you are right Sam. The best bang for the buck certainly seems like the pcm tune.

Any input helps, and thanks again for the info.