More power

[70 LS1]

I have a 99 Tahoe old body style with the 5.7L (Same engine as the 98 c/k) 4dr 4WD. It is my daily driver and doubles as a tow vehicle for my travel trailer.

I would like to get some more power primarily for towing. Short of dropping over $3K for a supercharger, what are my options? It is bone stock right now. I was thinking of a cat back exhaust for starters, but would like to do something about the engine itself, i.e. heads, intake, cam, etc.

Can you use LT1 components in these engines?

[Cadillakin'98]

If your wanting towing power, besides a trans cooler, might wanna think about a possible different rear-end. Changing your rear-end gears can do alot. Just depends on your driving needs and/or towing needs to figure out what might work better for ya. I'm willing to bet you could use LT1 components since you have a 5.7L, however, I believe a LT1 IS a 5.7L as well. Think the differences in a typical 5.7L and and LT1 are very minor. I rember a similar thread like this started a while back and I ?'d the difference in a 5.7L and a LT1 but never saw what was replied back. Maybe someone else can fill us in. But I'm sure there isn't much difference

[70 LS1]

I know LT1's use reverse flow cooling. Just wondering if the heads could still be used.

[Cadillakin'98]

Good ?, I know the differences aern't much but that could be one of the differences. By the way, what does reverse cooling mean?

[70 LS1]

Just found out you cannot use LT1 heads.

Reverse cooling means the coolant flows from the radiator through the heads then the block. Normally it goes from the block through the heads then intake and back to the radiator.

So back to my original question. What other options do I have other than a catback for upping the power a little.

[MadMac56]

Besides a different rear end, ya might think Headers, cold air intake, power tune the puter

[chevytrucks92]

If you're willing to do a cam swap, then that would be your best and cheapest route for big gains.

Now I have no idea at what type of cams are out their for the Vortec 5.7L (BTW, 255 hp, 335 lbs-tq stock, not bad). Just do some research about cams and go that way.

Some basic bolt ons that will help though would be stuff like a throttle body spacer, air intake, and exhaust. Headers would give you a boost as well. But a cam swap would help the most.

[abaird]

What about installing a set of roller rockers. I hear they are good for making power. Someone said that the new chevys had them but I don't know how new. I was wondering about that for my 97 w/ 350.

[shell1990]

you might want to look in to a chip you can install in your computer. Also a hypertch programmer

[chevytrucks92]

Originally Posted by abaird

What about installing a set of roller rockers. I hear they are good for making power. Someone said that the new chevys had them but I don't know how new. I was wondering about that for my 97 w/ 350.

I think the Vortec 350s are complete roller motors, but I'm not positive.