Gaining Torque

Dynomitkid · November 2, 2011

hey guys,

i got an 03 chev and i wanna get more torque i put bigger tires and rims on which didnt help at all, but last month i threw in cold air and throttle body i am thinking of doing the exhaust but i am not sure to go headers or not cuz i have heard different theories of them

HELP??

tyhuck · November 3, 2011

Just regear. The CAI isnt going to help unless you are running a highly tuned, high revving race motor or a diesel. I assume by "throttle body" you mean a throttle body spacer, which on your 03 is absolutely useless. The exhaust system is good for a nice sound, but not much else. If you want low end torque, you should stay away from headers because they are about the same as the CAI, which is great on high performance applications, but if your truck is internally stock, then it will hurt more than help.

Drop a set of 4.10 or 4.56 gears in there and you will regain some of that lost torque.

MikeNH · November 3, 2011

^

What he said. CAIs might offer you a small top end gain, the spacer gains nothing other than a lighter wallet, exhausts on most any modern vehicle are what I call "ear candy" and the only headers that might offer something would be long tubes, but then you'd need a modded Y-pipe and cats if emissions checks are done in your area and probably a tune take full advantage. Gears won't make any more power than before, but they will allow for more of it to reach the ground.

Carder09 · November 3, 2011

You can try a mild cam, as in one that won't require a lot of things to be replaced, but you might also have to change the tc

yukon25008.1 · November 3, 2011

The intake is always a good idea.. but as far as exhaust goes i would definitly talk with someone who really knows, Maybe email justin from blackbear and get his advise.

Exhaust will make it sound great, and free up a couple hp but remember! the more backpresure you remove from the exhaust the more TQ your gonna lose.

I would leave the cats, and add an X-pipe beforea decent set of aftermarket mufflers.

yukon25008.1 · November 3, 2011

Also if you have 3:73,s from factory with a 245/75/16 tire..when you add the 265 or 285,s your cutting yourself back to like a 3:47 or 3:55. I would do 4:10,s and youll feel better. If your gonna go 34 or 35" tires then go like 4:++.

MY truck is an 05 sierra hd 8.1 4:10,s with the allison, and i have 285,s.. it feels perfect, i wouldnt change anything. Hope my 2 cents helps

deaneo · November 16, 2011

Thanks Z71 AST for the opinion on headers.

I have a 454 GMC and looking for more torque and or mpg towing a 5th wheel.

The best mpg I get with this stock engine is 7 towing and 13 without the rig.

Had all these ideas of cold intake and headers but the more I read the more it makes sense to just save my money.

Stevens03 · November 16, 2011

A cold air intake won't help enough to cover the cost. If you want more torque, you need long tube headers or a gear swap. With either one you need a custom tune. If I was you, (and I was 7 years ago).

My previous 03

You obviously went with larger tires. If you want the torque back you lost, then regear with nothing less than 4.10's and depending on what tires, you might consider 4.56's

If you want an aggressive sounding exhaust for the 5.3, then get the Magnaflow cat back. Its all stainless steel including the clamps, there's no drone even under load and you won't loose any low end torque. Since you have the Cold air kit already, and exhaust will compliment it. More air in,... more air out. With that said, you need a tune to adjust for the gear swap, tire size difference and the other 2 mods. Data logging is a must if you want the most out of it.

If your still wanting more, then install long tube headers. But again, you'll need a custom tune to accommodate them and get the most bang for the buck.

My 03 got 14-15mpg city and 18-19mpg highway, was a weekend tower of more than 6500lbs without fail.

mrpenny43 · December 29, 2011

What is the best or highest quality brand of gears to purchase when considering changing the gear ratio? I have a 2010 Sierra w/5.3L. I am upsizing my tires to a 295/60/R20 which is a 34" tire, when I do this I am also having my Active Fuel Managmenet turned off, adding cold air and exhaust. Any other things I need to do/consider when I make these changes and modifications to my truck? Not to hi-jack this thread but this is the same thing I am about to experience, thanks for any input you guys can offer...