Performance upgrades for a Silverado

[18 inch Crappie]

I have a 5.3L in my 2000 Silverado and looking for upgrades to do? I have a intake kit now, but that is it. Seeing what anyone has done?

Thanks,

[18 inch Crappie]

TTT

[anyfishwilldo]

Flowmaster exhaust.

[Dragonsm]

If you have an aftermarket intake....good flow through exhaust? I have heard good things about the Magnaflows.

Chip?

Supercharger?

Electric Fans?

How much do we get to work with here?

[Scott K]

Unfortanatly power chips for gas engines do very little for power or fuel economy. The 5.3 engine isnt a power house, and it almost really doesnt matter how much you spend on it , it wont be powerfull. You could add maybe 20 hp, by a chip, exhaust, intake system and running higher octane, but you most likely wont notice 20 hp that much and wont be happy with the money you spent to gain only 20 hp. If you want more power, buy a bigger engine!

OK a super charger would be the exception here, but would be very spendy.

[Powerstroke]

I somewhat disagree with the previous statement, because anyone who's done the mods will notice a different feel to the vehicle. There might be an argument for cost-benefit analysis, but as far as if you'll get power and if you'll know it, I think you will.

I would definitely get a better flowing exhaust. I like the Magnaflows. A programmer of some type will give you the most bang for the buck. Superchips has got one of the best IMO. There are certainly other ones out there. It will allow you to add more power in different ways depending on need and type of fuel. You can also firm up tranny shifts, make changes in speed and rev limiters and adjust the speedo for different tire sizes.

Intake, exhaust, chip are the big 3. Electric fans are nice because the reduce the drag on the engine, but are typically only good for a couple HP. Then again, every one counts.

Many of these things will improve your MPG if you continue to drive the same. Personally, I get poorer mileage for the first few months at least, until I stop smiling every time I hit the gas pedal. Then it moderates.

[hondavxr]

It's true with most gas motors unless you start using force induction, supercharger or turbo, the most hp you are going to get with intake, header, and exhaust if you are lucky is around 20 hp. These newer motors have most of there hp already squeezed out, remember engineers are paid a lot at all manuf's. Most chips for gas motors just move the powerband around, instead of more low rpm grunt, most chips move the powerband higher up on the rpm. Only way for you to really tell if you gain hp's is hit the dyno, because the butt dyno is never right.