5.3 engine upgrades

anfking6908 · January 29, 2007

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 w/ a 5.3. The only thing that i have done is put a Flowmaster muffler and dual exaust muffler back. It has 130,000 miles. My catalitic converters are cloged...do i need to replace or just simply cut them off? Also i wanted to up the power (alot) What is my first step: plugs, wires, programer, cold air intake? wat brands?

ZZebes · January 30, 2007

well if you want to add ALOT of power than get a set of Dynatech Supermaxx headers, a custom Header Back system and a Magnacharger. Or go for a nelson front mount turbo and a turbo back system.

anfking6908 · January 30, 2007

my truck is running 285 hp n im wanting it to be around 500rwhp... alot of ppl are talkin about a custom pcm tune is it better than getting a superchip?

99Silver6.0 · January 31, 2007

my truck is running 285 hp n im wanting it to be around 500rwhp... alot of ppl are talkin about a custom pcm tune is it better than getting a superchip?

Your making 285 horse through plugged cats??

anfking6908 · January 31, 2007

no that was wat the factory said that truck should make... duno wat it actually is wat is the pcm tuning advantages over the hand held programmers

Buggle_96 · January 31, 2007

my truck is running 285 hp n im wanting it to be around 500rwhp... alot of ppl are talkin about a custom pcm tune is it better than getting a superchip?

You going to be looking at a lot more than just engine upgrades....

ShakinLM7 · February 20, 2007

I believe what that the factory numbers the engine its self. Not what your truck puts the the ground. I could be wrong though.....

redvett · February 20, 2007

OEM is flywheel HP and wanting 500 RWHP would take at least 625 flywheel HP and about $15000 or more. Your #1500 wont handle that kind of power. With 130000K on the clock your engine along with the rest of the drive line needs rebuilding for that kind of HP.

Schmids5.3l · February 21, 2007

Yep, you'd deff. want to do a rebuild. Look at the bright side the motors gonna be stripped!

For 500whp and daily driving, you'd be best off going forced induction. $15k sounds a bit steep tho. Rough estimates are (if you do your own work) $1,000 for rebuild kit, $5,000 for blower, $700 for headers, $400 for headers back exhaust, 4-500 for a dyno tune, and however much the machineing costs, cause you'll probobly need to get bored, maybe crank grind.

Roughly 8 grand for parts, and however much machine shop charges. Maybe an additional $1000+ for random stuff like fuel injectors, pump, new ignition parts.

That probobly wont get you to 500whp, maybe if you get it rebuilt and run lower compression and raised the boost (depending on fuel). You'd need a cam, heads worked or just buy new heads. Also a Tranny rebuild (4L60e would be grenaded at 500rwhp) and a new Torque converter..probobly a shift kit.

Maybe $15k is a good estimate lol.

nonecktribe · February 23, 2007

With the power you want you would need to get a built motor preferrably a 6.0L I would suggest a built 408 with forged internals and upgraded valvetrain...some type of FI I would suggest a turbo since they you can upgrade them as far as boost levels go...and with that you would need a stronger rear end because as soon as you hook up with that power you would grenade the stock diff...15000 sounds about right for everything...

luke713 · February 27, 2007

yeah...i have an '01 silervado 5.3l 1500 p/u...i want an engine upgrade as well...thinking about the LS2, and im guessing ill need to redo the entire drive train, exhaust, fuel pump, and brakes...i would like to know what options are there for my tranny...i want to get rid of the 4 speed auto, what are there for 5 speed autos that could handle it...for the rear end, i want 3.42 posi...but as for just beefing up the original 5.3 in my truck with 130k miles, im gettign a new engine...to rebuild the one in there would probably be the same as buying a new motor i figure...right?

thecraft · February 27, 2007

my truck is running 285 hp n im wanting it to be around 500rwhp...

Hope you've got $25k just sitting around

luke713 · February 27, 2007

yeah...i have an '01 silervado 5.3l 1500 p/u...i want an engine upgrade as well...thinking about the LS2, and im guessing ill need to redo the entire drive train, exhaust, fuel pump, and brakes...i would like to know what options are there for my tranny...i want to get rid of the 4 speed auto, what are there for 5 speed autos that could handle it...for the rear end, i want 3.42 posi...but as for just beefing up the original 5.3 in my truck with 130k miles, im gettign a new engine...to rebuild the one in there would probably be the same as buying a new motor i figure...right?

yeah starting with a new ls2 is a good thing

crash195 · October 9, 2010

dude, i have a 2006 sierra 1500 reg cab. its got the 5.3 flex with a voodoo cam and a k&n and a programmer, the tranny is a 4l60e that i rebuilt w a kit from ati and the rear end is stock w 3.73's ... i put it on dyno and am putting out 470 rwhp... so w your mileage i would rebuild motor all forged internals and just build up the tranny as well, but it wont cost anywhere near 15k... btw i have 60,000 miles on motor top end was rebuilt once under warranty only cus i pumped bad gas and it f'd stuff up... good luck.

dlstewart01 · October 9, 2010

dude, i have a 2006 sierra 1500 reg cab. its got the 5.3 flex with a voodoo cam and a k&n and a programmer, the tranny is a 4l60e that i rebuilt w a kit from ati and the rear end is stock w 3.73's ... i put it on dyno and am putting out 470 rwhp... so w your mileage i would rebuild motor all forged internals and just build up the tranny as well, but it wont cost anywhere near 15k... btw i have 60,000 miles on motor top end was rebuilt once under warranty only cus i pumped bad gas and it f'd stuff up... good luck.

he was asking in 2007. I would imagine hes got it taken care of by now....