Thank you all of you... Yes that is where i am screwed..... especially since i live where the cops are asses, and if they see something they "think" is wrong emissions wise, they can give you a ticket, then you have to go see a smog ref, wether there is something wrong or not..... so LT's and gutted cats unfortunately are most likely not an option....

but i wonder if they can do anything if i squeeze it?

 

On a budget, I would just stick with the stock airbox, even not on a budget, and just add a drop in Filter. True-Flow is my choice, but K&N is there too. Add an airaid intake tube, get a replacement muffler, magnaflow, dynomax bullets, hooker aerochamber, etc.... or just add a cutout and leave the stock muffler for when you want it quiet. And then get a good custom tune. That should help you with some extra power and torque and make the drive a little more fun and not break the bank too much. A trailblazer stall will be a nice little addition too, and since you are not planning to go with a nice lumpy cam, will be all you would really need.


Also, don't know what look you are going for, but you can add some 2" shackles for the rear to level the truck and make the stance a little nicer, spring clamps on the rear leafs will also bring the rear down another 1/4" to 1/2" and help with a little traction and smooth the ride out a bit. Some nice performance tires and maybe some stock silverado alloy wheels. You can shave the trim and badges off the truck to make it look a little cleaner also.

 

THANKS L33 I have to ask.... i have seen a thread in here about putting a hole in the stock airbox, and the plate below it.... does that actually help??

 

the hole in the stock box wont hurt, i know that for sure... it'll make the air more accessible by the intake.

also... in cali... do they do a sniffer test too? you could cut your cats off, gut them out, weld them back up, plug up the o2 bungs and delete the rear o2's... thats what i do where i live, no problems... but we dont have a sniffer test here.

 

yes california for those of you who dont know is the worst when it comes to smog inspection