Hey guys, I think I'm going to be buying a '03+ regular-cab, shortbed, 4x4 Silverado in a few weeks and I just had a few questions about them performance-wise. Are all the V8 truck motors interchangeable (4.8 - 6.0) with little to no fabrication or would a swap like that require some serious fab work? Also, if I were to buy a 4.8L, what would be some good first mods to get me a little more from my motor (i.e.- heads, cam, exhaust, etc.) And one last question, I've been a little worried about the reliability of a GM truck, how have you guys found that yours have held up? Any major problems early or anything like that? Thanks for looking guys, I'm just trying to get all the info I can before I make a big purchase like this.

 

4.8,5.3,6.0 are externally identical - only tuning would be needed if you swap

as far as the first mods, figure out your goals first. If you get turbo (sts) down the line, you'll probably want to keep your exhaust stock. If you get the Radix, theres no need for any induction kits. If you decide on a cam, make sure it will work with any kind of power adder you do in the future......etc

I was concerned about reliability as well, but I've had no major problems in 24k miles, and 7k of those are supercharged. The transmission is really the only drivetrain component that has reliability issues when you start making some power.

 

Yeah the radix is very reliable. I will have mine on next week. Keep it simple to start but also figure out what you want from the truck!! Go from there.

 

depends on how much money you are willing to throw down at it...
It gets expensive pretty darn quick, but worth every penny
stall, and gears is where I would start..
exhaust---Long Tubes
CAI
E-fans
tuning
cam
valve train to go with selected cam
F/I?????
N/A???????
Transmission
thats just for starters...
hang around long enough, and there is tons of info to pick up


oh, and BTW... welcome to the site

 

Wow, thanks for all the info guys. This is really wierd for me because on the site that I normally post on you would be lucky to get 10 posts out of 100 views and I already have three out of five. Thats really awesome and thanks a lot for taking the time to help out a new guy. Mind you I'm not new to GM performance vehicles in general, just the trucks. My current toy is a 383ci stroker Firebird with a built 700R4 and Moser 12-bolt, so I definitely hear you guys about the tranny and stuff.

My current plan for a truck would be to keep it relatively mild (read: reliable) at least until I am out of school. After that who knows, but right now I would probably stay with just bolt on stuff and possibly a 6.0 liter at some point. What do you guys think would be good some good mods for a 6.0L?

 

heads and a cam setup

 

How much would that be good for on a six liter?

 

Heads/cam and blower!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I'd go for a stall, tune, eaton posi + 3.73 gears, exhaust and a cam...

 

The LQ9 is putting out close to 300rwhp stock so im gonna say another 80 or so with some great flowing heads and a big cam also do full exhaust as well soit will breath a lil better. Then add the blower which is worth roughly 100rwhp before tuning.