Need more torque from my chev. any ideas?

[Duddin]

I have an 03 chev silverado 1500 with the 5.3 motor. right now its stock except a lift, wheels and tires and a gibson exhaust. With the sled season rapidly approching I need some more torque to help pull me up the canyon. I dont have the cash for major things like turbo, supercharger, head work or a motor. I was kinda thinking about doing an intake, headers and ignition upgrades but would like some input for someone with more knowledge than me. Thanks in advance.
P.S. I know its not the best set-up for towing but its just temporary till i can get a diesel

 

[Duddin]

might be worth noting that I dont have to worry about emmissions as we dont have any regs in our county so the cats will probably be coming out.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

first, on a stock motor the only emissions component that really hurts power/economy is the egr vavle, cats flow freely enough to be a non issue..as for increasing performance...ignition will not add performance unless it is subpar ..which gms stuff is very good..check into a rv style camshaft(preferably a roller lifter style it will add performance if you have a normal flat tappet hydraulic cam). an aftermarket chip should help, and .headers may add a little performance but everything you do needs to be closely matched. designed to work togeather..best bet will probably be to drop axle gear ratio..that will do much for pulling power but will hurt fuel economy if you drive hard all the time..................best thing you can do is put stock tires back on when you tow,...the whole drivetrain will last longer and work better ..bigger tires kill power both from diameter and extra weight....

 

[LS1NOVA]

Call comp cams and tell them what you want to do. Put in the cam they recommend. Your 5.3 has a roller cam and (RV) is a way outdated term for a slighlty larger cam. Tell them you want maximum torque. Then send your pcm to Jesse at wait4meperformance ($100) or have it chassis dyno tuned. ($500). You can also pick up a cold air intake off Ebay for around $60. This should gain around 50lbs/tq.

 

[skidoome]

I have rode with three 5.3's one stock, one lifted with bigger tires, one stock tires with chip. The only one I thought needed more umph (pulling a small 2 place) was the lifted with big tires. If I was you I would regear the pickup. If you have the towing package in the half ton I think they are 3.73's I would go 4.11's. That would help more then all the expensive engine work. Regearing isn't cheep but would work.

what size tires do you have on?
jon

 

[Duddin]

I'm runnin 35" coopers

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

I'm runnin 35" coopers

That's your problem
I really miss my old chev for it's pulling power.
Lose the big tires in the winter and go back to stock size snow tires.

It won't look as cool but you have to decide which you want, looks or performance.

Simple choice really.

 

[Duddin]

That's your problem
I really miss my old chev for it's pulling power.
Lose the big tires in the winter and go back to stock size snow tires.

It won't look as cool but you have to decide which you want, looks or performance.

Simple choice really.

I know the tires are killing it. Kinda wish I would have bought a stocker and not had the 6 in lift to deal with.

 

[Ex-Member]

Huh, read the title as "Need more tongue from my chev"....

 

[Spud]

use a supercharger!

 

[TBWdracula2003]

im going to say, headers bigger exhaust ( duals with a true-x cross over) get the ecu remapped gut the cats cold air intake with a custom ram air set up. that will get you better mileage and more power with a fuzz more torque

 

[Blu Du]

i thought you were sellin the truck for $19,000

 

[HawkShot99]

i thought you were sellin the truck for $19,000

Guess there were no takers............

 

[snowordeath]

Most simple and strait-forward fix is re-geaing. You do that and the truck will think it has stock tires on it, or better.

 

[HawkShot99]

Most simple and strait-forward fix is re-geaing. You do that and the truck will think it has stock tires on it, or better.

No, most simple would be to put the stock tires on.

 

[snowordeath]

True....thank you

 

[M.M. 700]

custom tune from

http://www.blackbearperformance.com/


have your torque managment removed/among many other changes. I wanna say for $200-$300 depending on which way you go.

 

[Duddin]

custom tune from

http://www.blackbearperformance.com/


have your torque managment removed/among many other changes. I wanna say for $200-$300 depending on which way you go.

I like it I think I'll do that with an intake and headers then maybe add a cam later on. Thanks to all those who lended useful info.

 

[Duddin]

i thought you were sellin the truck for $19,000

Not that its any of your business but I decided to spend some money on starting a business insetead of a new truck.

 

[Duddin]

Huh, read the title as "Need more tongue from my chev"....

i have no idea...

HAHAHAHA I knew someone would do it. I know I know its just till I can get the money for a dodge diesel