I have a '03 Suburban 5.3 that I would like to add a few bolt ons to.
What do recommend first?
I would like to get a cat-back, but don't want to get too loud as this is the family hauler.
What should I look at next, HPP3/Predator, Fans, intake???

What about a converter? I pull a 7000lb trailer every weekend so I don't what to hurt driveability.

 

Skip the converter if you are pulling the trailer. A set of headers or nice catback would be good. A UPD or similar intake would be a good mod as well. I wouldn't mess with the HPP3/Predator or fans yet. Maybe do a mild cam to really pep it up.

 

yeah, what richard said!!! longtubes/or mids if you can find'em would be great...installed some list night on my truck and they helped a ton. a small cam like an 01/02 ls6 cam would probably be good BIGTEX has experience with the 01 ls6 cam and made pretty good power with it also.

 

What gear is in it? Do you plan to tow in 3rd or OD?
4x4?

 

I pull the trailer in OD w/ 3.73's no problem.
It only gets to 7000lbs when it is totally full, ususally closer to 5500.

I would like to go the exhaust, intake route.
What headers/catback combo do you recommend to keep the noise level down to bearable levels?
I don't want wide open Borla sounds while cruising on the highway for hours at a time.

 

I have an'03 Tahoe, with a custom intake, just do a search on my name it should pull it up, others have done the same, I think it is as good if not better than the K&N. I also have a proflow muffler that is a 3 inch in and dual 2.25 out, nice sound not to loud, but load enough to know it is a V8. I also have the Predator, and felt it made a pretty decent difference for the money, eliminated the torque management, and added a little peppiness on the shifts. I still plan on doing some more shift mods, due to the fact that I like clean, crisp and quick shifts. These mods a relatively easy and inexpensive. I want to give the vehicle a chance to "wear" a little in case I need the warranty, then I may make the cam change and do some other power enhancers. Just my .02.

 

CORSA.....CORSA......CORSA.....did I say CORSA already?
You will not be disappointed in the quality, fit, finish, performance and especially the sound. I put a CORSA cat-back on my 01 Tahoe 5.3......I had it on my truck for 2 weeks before I told my wife that I had put it on.....She didn't really notice the difference. It is a little louder in the upper rpm's, but sounds stock while cruising.

 

If i were in your shoes this is what i would consider doing.Good quality set of 1 3/4long tubes,Any kind of catback will be noisy,i would only do it at the very end only if you feel like you needed more.A UPD intake and mild cam, i would take a hard look at this tuner as he has been getting major praise over on the pick-up truck.com forum and he was running a $100 discount if you had seen it on that forum.http://westers_garage.eidnet.org/Index2.htm