Okay guys so I am starting my first build project and have a couple ideas but want to know what would be best. the truck is a 2002 2500hd 4x4 crewcab. I have a couple ideas with what i want to do but would like some input on the best one. As the truck sits now it just has 33" tires on 20's and a leveling kit with LT's full exhaust and electric fans. Motor and tranny have 180,000 on them I was looking at either keeping the internals replacing the heads with some prc stage 2.5 5.3 heads a 224/228 cam and a 2.3L whipple blower which i am going to get a great deal on. My other choice though since i have such high mileage would be to rebuild the entire motor and make it a 408 and a good cam and some new heads or get the stock heads worked. Im just looking for some opinions here on what would be better best bang for my buck type deal.

Thanks in advance


Also i will be rebuilding the tranny but would like to keep my towing capacity so not looking for a big stall or any of that.

 

It's all in how much money you have to spend.. If the motor is or has been kept up well, then I wouldn't worry about the mileage on it.. Again its all what you have to spend.. The cam could prob be spec'd more towards the weight and size of your truck, the 5.3 heads will bump the compression way up depending on what size chambers they have.. I would stick with the 6.0 heads or even a set of 243's if your looking for a little bump in compression..

 

im not really worried about money ill save up longer if i have to. But since i had it truck its been maintained good but its had two owners before me so i have no idea. I would just hate to buy heads cam and a blower and then the thing throw a rod or grenade a piston.

 

So are you just going to run the stock converter or thinking of a 2800 converter or so to get a little bit more out of it? You would still have full towing capabilities with the 2800.

 

Shitting a rod is one thing, melting pistons is going to happen from a bad tune, to much timing, not enough fuel, ect.. If you have no problem waiting, I would put a cam in it, leave the heads alone, put the blower on, have it tuned, drive it.. Then save to build a nice short block.. That way you are not going to have alot of down time, will still have a pretty stout set up.. Just my opinion though.

 

Yes i would like to keep my towing capacity but didn't know the 2800 stall would allow that. What would be the best one? I tow close to 10,000 pounds sometimes.




That honestly sounds like the best thing. But what cam do I use I was thinking Texas speed 224/228 cause they say its a good blower cam but idk....... I know i'm going to have to replace the springs if i go with the bigger cam so the Texas speed package would probably be my best bet right its only like 600 for the cam pushrods and springs.

 

Okay plans changed not getting the blower... but im still doing a cam and willl most likely do heads now just need a few suggestions on the cam i want something with decent torque but also a good gain all around. i will be replacing the converter to a 2800 stall..