I don't have the $$$ for Nitrous, or Forced Induction.
I just want to be in the mid-high 14's, I know it will still be hard.
Also, I'm in High School so I'm on a budget.

I have a 99' 4.8 RCSB 2wd auto 3.42 (one tire fire!) with a Shift Kit, and flowmaster cat-back, otherwise STOCK.

also some weight reduction...
rollpan
removed spare
removed tow hitch

I looked it up, my truck has 255hp/285tq bone stock.

Mods I was thinking...

02' PCM with Wait4Me tune
Used Eaton with OEM 4.10's
Used TB Converter

I don't know anything about cams, do they help that much, are they worth the trouble?
And I don't really want to change my exhaust unless it would make a big diff.

Oh Yeah, and I have 285/50/20 tires.

Would this work for mid-high 14's.
I'm only 16, so I don't know much.
I need some advice, suggestions, tips, anything would help!

 

Get a good tune, and start from there...

 

Totally possible.

You need a good stall and sticky tires though. I went a best of 15.29@90.5mph on a 2.3 60' in my stock 02' 4.8L RCSB on 20s.

A cam would make it a breeze but they will run you a nice chunk of change with install. Usually over $1000.

 

My dad can install anything I get for my truck. He use to build and race stock cars. Thank God because otherwise I could probably only afford to get an intake.

 

Hey i feel your pain man, im 17 and a senior in high school, ive got the exact same truck as far as factory stuff goes, and my nitrous kit is getting shipped monday after saving for awhile.

Biggest thing 99's have problems with is shitty tuning from the factory. Get an 02 4.8L PCM and then have allen nelson or other known reputable tuners pull the most juice possible out of it. You might also want to invest in a powertrax posi unit, the one tire fire doesn't cut it at all, powertrax is easy and low on cost but yet still very reputable and effective.

Dave

 

Well, it sounds like you kinda know your ****. Best thing is to just ask I think it is very possible. Go with the mods you listed, and you can pick up a good used cam for around $200-$250. And yes they do make a big difference. Also, if you swap the Flowmaster to a Magnaflow, it will make a noticeable difference, as well as some good LT headers will help too.

 

like everyone else said...

also look at the fastest truck list..
to give you an idea as to what mods people with 4.8L N/A are using to get to where they are at..
but IMO
tune, stall, 3.73 - 4.10 gears. and a posi will net you the 14's you are looking for..

 

, im in the same boat as you nick i got the 99 4.8 and low on budget, the 99s did have crappy timing lots of KR, so an 02 pcm will make the most noticeable difference, A cam can get expensive but ive seen people do it for pretty cheap, a good stall will help alot, a posi i personally like eaton but there are others, if you didnt know, thunders 4.8 is running mid 13's on all motor so listen to him about the 4.8s he knows his stuff.

 

thanks guys. I will start out part by part until I am satisfied. I don't have to be the fastest.

I'm going to go study about cams!

Also I have to keep my truck for 2 more years, if I buy a used 100 dry shot of nitrous would my truck last until then? Have been looking at some used kits for cheap.

Thanks,
Nick

 

cams make good power especially with stall.
but if you the idea of nitrous, it is cheaper than cam. you could probably pick up a basic nitrous wet kit for less than 800.
i would suggest go run the truck and see what its capable of first

either tune + tq converter + cam
or tune + nitrous

cam will be over 1000, nitrous under 1000