Comments/war stories....seeking horsepower and gas mileage improvements.....

[c17pilot]

I'm one of many on the constant mission/wild goose chase for increased horse power with increased fuel efficiency. I am also in the military which means, like most of you, I'm on a budget. I'm in the information gathering mode now. What I'm interested in is modifying my (new to me) 2000 5.3L Z71 to increase hp and as a minimum not diminish my fuel economy. I know its possible, but what I don't know if its obtainable within my budget. Some possible components that have gotten my attention include: VOLANT RAM AIR PERFORMANCE INTAKE sytem kit, Gibson Performance headers, Banks Power Systems dual 3 inch exhaust, ported and polished intake, all tied together with either aStage II - Jet performance computer chip or a Hypertech Power Programmer. I have experience modifying Ford Mustangs, but Mustangs have been around awhile and have hundreds of proven performance combinations to pick from. Concerning this truck project, I need a vector......any info would be greatly appreciatied. Thx..

[MrEleven]

how much hp are you looking for? are you looking for speed or torque or both?

[juma33]

basically, the chevy engine remains the same and opening the airway with a K&N, shorter tube, colder air source, and removing the maf screens is the quickest cheapest change. also, a breather cap for pcv gas recirculation circuit and plugging of the hole in the throttle body. a 160 thermostat and electric fans, perhaps modifying a set from a '90s lt1. If you can find a walker hemi super turbo muffler that fits, it will add about 11 horsepower as the freeest flowing, quietest muff on the planet. A underdrive pully change is often worth a substantial increase over the power curve. and then, as you indicate, a hypertech or westers tune.

juma

[okie-chevy-man]

sounds like you are on the right track with all these comments. but remember the key is not always making HP but freeing up lost HP

[juma33]

yeah, if you want to make horsepower, spend a grand and get the ls1 HOT cam with .525 lift all round. that and some programing should put you up there with a ford lightning.

juma

[c17pilot]

Originally Posted by MrEleven

how much hp are you looking for? are you looking for speed or torque or both?

I'm looking for around a hundred horse or more increase and about the same increase in torque.

[juma33]

just get a bigger cam than the ls1 hotcam. check crane, comp cams, and lunati. They have wide selection. You could get a supercharger but it will be a lot more money and be a lot less dependable.
cam or supercharger is really the only answer that will get you 100hp/ft.pounds.

juma

[Slowprocess]

100 hp? Get some head work done, get a stall converter, and spray it.

Just a few ideas:
1. Ls1 electric fans
2.ASP underdrive pullies
3.transmission work(transgo shift kit, corvette servo, at least a 3000 stall
4. Nelson performance tune(great tune)
5. Good choice on the volant intake
6. Headers(shorties if you're under a budget) full or mid lenght if ya got the cash, they're worth it. Few suggestions are The Other Guys Headers or Arizona Speed
7. Borla or magnaflow true dual setup with cats removed, O2 simulators, and cutouts
8. Free mods(descreen maf, throttle body coolant bypass, egr shave)
9. BBK throttle body or get stock one ported and polished
10. 3.73 or 4.10 gears with an eaton posi unit
11. Supercharger( Radix, whipple, Kenne bell, procharger, vortech, magnacharger, Paxton)
12. turbo setup
13. Nitto drag radials on stock wheels for the track
14. Caltrac bars for wheel hop issues
15. 6.0L motor swap
16. electric water pump(free up some hp)
17. ls1 or ls6 cam or something a little more aggressive depending on your driving habit

Just thought I would give you some idea of all the choices we have for performance products. It's a huge market, so the sky is the limit. Good luck modding

[juma33]

yeah, nitrous...forgot about that. It probably is the real cheapest way to jump 100 hp right now. juma