When I swapped out the factory exhaust on my stock truck I put on new headers and had the muffler shop make a Y-pipe that ran to a borla muffler with 3 inch piping. It gave some power, but I could hardly tell a difference. Although I'm sure the HP gains from the exhaust would have been more significant/noticeable if I had already added more performance mods before hand.

IMO I would go with a stall and custom data-log tune from a site sponsor first. That way if and when you get the "bug" for more power you can better plan your setup. When I did my cam swap I was planning on not spending any more money on the truck, but now I am either going to turbo or supercharge it. So when that time comes around I will be changing the cam once more to something that works better with forced induction. Also, if I you go the turbo route you will have to take off your headers and Y pipe because they wont work with a turbo kit.

 

the mechanic quoted me today @ about 430$ to [ remove 3 broken bolts in the head and a complete install of some headers?] The Hooker headers are 700 not including the y pipe - the Pace setter headers are 450 not including the y pipe. But he tells me the Hookers are better .

 

i want the pace setter headers from what ive read they are as good of better than the hooker headers and the flanges are thicker @ 3/8 vs. 3/16 ? I really want a nice sound.
On another note the mechanic today was telling me thata cam install would have to include pulling the motor and that adding a cam w/o pulling the motor was dumb [ some thing about a bearing seal or some thing idk] he said u can get a cam for 300$ but the labor was big time to have done!

 

You don't have to pull the engine to swap a cam...if this mechanic is telling you that, I'd find a new mechanic. His recommendation of the Hookers was the first clue.

BTW, I agree that a custom tune should be the first mod, then I'd probably do a converter next, then some headers, then a cam...

 

Agreed.

 

I have changed dozens of cams without pulling a motor!! I would find a new mechanic.

 

bang for your buck..... 6.0 swap..... 800-1000 dollars... swap it yourself, we can answer any of your questions.... you can tune it later.. i ran it untuned for like 6 months... and i mean RAN it ....

but if not then i say gears and a tune... what gear is in it now?

 

If you can do the work yourself then you can afford a lot more.

 

you gotta want to.... internet is a very useful tool... no one taught me how do a motor swap... except common sense and the internet...

 

why, whats wrong with hookers LT's?