Im going to be tearing into my 99 5.3 motor to fix a couple of things and replace all gaskets for too many reasons to explain. Anyways, I want to do a mild buildup since it will be torn down to the block. It will be getting a dyno tune right after the rebuild so I want to do some mild addons, such as a mild cam, possibly ls6, springs, possible port and polish, things of that nature. Any ideas or input on anything i can do while i am into the motor? help would be appreciated

 

put headers on it while its out, and a stall

 

already has longtubes, no cats, the main reason why it needs a tune for emissions here in missouri. and the back header bolt broke off in the head awhile back and the previous owner didnt tell me so when i installed the headers i soon found out it was broken and not even a 90 degree drill can fit in there. And i would do a stall but i am slowly saving up for a 6 speed or built 4l60e because mine isnt going to last much longer

 

If the tranny is going out i would get a new built one..Any added power will make it go out that much quicker..

Depending on your goals for the truck you can mill the heads down some and have the runners cleaned up..
212/218 or 216/220 comp cam would work good for a mild setup and work with the ls6 yellows....
New verter from Circle-D would help everything long also

 

I'll probably have to just start my own thread but this one caught my eye because I plan on building my 5.3, but in stages. I plan on the long tubes/exhaust, cai, tune, but the next step would be cam and heads for me. What's the ls6 you're referring to?

 

Snow , for a little more wild, go with a tr 220 cam and circle d tb stall, or as mentioned will work. BTW rear manifold broken bolts are a common problem, I have seen many, they suck.

 

Broken manifold bolts are cake to pull with a good welder and a steel nut.

 

i would have done that trick already if it wasnt deeeep in the head, no way to weld a nut on the end, have to pull the head to get it out, believe me, i have tried everything.

Im basically looking to build it in stages and putting any kind of money in my tranny is not an option at the moment. Im just going to wait till it gives up and then either do a built 4l60 or just do the 6 speed swap. for now im looking for just some simple upgrades i can do while im into the motor. Im looking at cam ideas, springs, cleaning up the intake ports, mill the heads. best bang for the buck but without spending an arm and a leg while doing it. I do like the ideas that have already been thrown out. Looking for more ideas. thanks to all who have given me input.

 

Whats the budget??

 

id say roughly at the most around $800 as a starting point ... if i have to go over a little ok or if i go under i can deal with that too. I will be doing all the work besides machining on the truck.