I have had my truck for about 5 years now and I think it is finally time to try and get some decent power out of it, the only problem is, I want to keep it naturally aspirated. As of right now I have JBA headers, Magnaflow high flow cats and a 3" si/so magnaflow 14" muffler. K&N FIPK, Hypertech tuner. I wanted to know what the best way to get power out of the 5.3 without forced induction or NO2. Any suggestions, looking to get up to 350rwhp. Who is the best for tuning, I know the hypertech isn't very good. Any info. will help. Thanks.

 

Ditch the JBA's for some long tube headers, cam, heads, & Nelson Tune from Nelson Performance. I think you still might fall short of 350 @ the wheels.

 

Where can I get long tube headers, which are the best? Cam Specs? What do custom tunes from nelson normally run?

 

To get 350rwhp NA will take some pretty extreme mods.A 6.0 or 5.7 with a hot cam,ported heads,longtube headers and a dyno tune might make those numbers NA.You are probably about 250rwhp with your current setup.

 

i think it can be done with a 5.3. just need all the bolt-ons, tune, cam, headers, heads, etc...

 

They are right I would check with (Allen) Neslon Perfromance. He could tell you what the best set-up would be like heads and cam, and also be able to throw a mean tune into the mix. If you have a 2wd. I would look into some Pacesetter L/T's around 400.00. If its 4x4 Iwouldgo with some ASM's L/T's. These mods will get you close to your number.

 

350/350 N/A from a 5.3 is my goal too. My current numbers are in my sig. I have heads on the way and I expect to need more cam too, but I'm going to take it one step at a time.

If the heads and bigger cam don't get me there, I might consider swapping over to a LS6 or FAST 78 intake, but that will require a lot of work.

 

4.8 pistons to raise compression
2002 LS6 camshaft 555 / 551 lift
LS6 heads for larger valves and better flow.
long tube headers
30 lbs injectors
cai intake
93 oct tune should have you close to 330 / 335 rwhp

 

Go for:
Pacesetter Long Tubes
True duals with an X-pipe with 2 dynomax bullet mufflers... or something like your mag with cutouts
TSP or CompCam camshaft, with all the goodies (maybe 224/224?)
CAI intake
Ported throttle body
Nelson Tune
Set of good heads

That'll set you close! Also, remember with all that power you need a way to put it to the ground so invest in some larger, stickier tires, gears, stall, etc.

 

I'm running 5.3 with a tr224 114, junk UPD intake, Pacesetters, single bassani exhaust and e-fans. with my own tune I made 333rwhp. My intake air temps were over 100*. So with pulleys and cooler/better intake I think 350 is really close. I plan on 4.8 pistons and heads this winter hopin' for more than 350.