Hey guys a 18 year old kid that I work with just bought a nice 2003 4x4 1500 with a 5.3. He wants to start doing a little work to it, but does not know much about cars so he asked me for help. I work on cars a lot but not these trucks. He added a flowmaster and that is it. He wants to know what to do next. He asked about headers, but only has $400. I told him that he should add an air intake first since they are usually cheaper and much easier to install. BTW this is his daily driver and won't be off roading it. I am looking for the top 5 things he should do and what brand of part he should use for each mod. And if you know the best place to buy them. Also I would keep it to bolt-ons. Looking for a balance between quality and performance. He does not have the money to put a $700 set of headers on.

thanks for any and all help
Tom

 

The best mod is a tune. For headers get a set of pacesetters. Cold air theyre all pretty much the same you can make your own for cheap. Efans can either get some ls1 ones out of a camaro or get some 05 and up fans out of the newer trucks nelson performance sells harnesses to make these work and also tunes pretty well. Cant think of a 5th one depends on his goals he can gett a trutrac off of ebay from Rons machining to get rid of the one legger.

 

modify the stock airbox = free
K&N drop in filter = $50
Tune = $300-$500

 

if its an auto-servos
drop in filter (i have one forsale)
tune

 

I agree with the above suggestions

Tune (I'm going to be going with BlackBear myself)
Modify stock airbox and get a drop in filter (Check if Amsoil makes a factory replacement dry flow...no worries about oiling and over-oiling)
Corvette and billet servos

That should be about $400 right there...

BTW, Flowmaster seems to be a bad word around here lol

 

I agree. If u can only do 1, do this. Best bang for buck.
Depending on $ left, a drop-in filter would be good, or a CAI would help more if funds are available. For other mods, advice given above by others.

Have someone tune it, not a "1 box fits all" approach. By that, not a Hypertech.

 

Headers, Tune, CIA, Trans-go Shift Kit, Vette Servo. If it was a 2wd I would of said 4.10 gears.

 

what does the CIA have to do with it???

 

HAHA! that^^^ was a good laugh.

 

My 02 responded amazingly to Pacesetter longtubes and a tune.