i have the 4.8 and have ran the 5.3 whoever jumped first won theres not that much diference in them i would like 2 wake uo my 4.8 not much money though and dont want 2 change 2 a 6.0 so if anyboby knows a good cam or which programmers helps the most or a good nitrous kit that want hert anything let me know thanks any mods that will pick up more then 50 horses

 

I have a 4.8 as well, and though I am yet to swap the cam...sometime soon I hope, I think my best investment has been the custom tune, I have a wait 4 me, But there are many others out there. PCM4Less, westers, and a bunch others that I cant keep track of. The hand held programmers are pretty much a waste except to change tire sizes IMO. Long tube headers, a shift kit, efans
and a intake can get you moving a little faster too.

 

I have a Hypertech programer on my '99 5.3 and it was actually not as bad as people made it seem. On the '04 Procharged 5.3 a PCM4Less really sucked...after many returns we finally said f*ck it and went with a custom dyno tune. Jeff at Carolina Auto Masters actually referred to it as "PCM4LessHorsepower".

Just to give you a reference...'99 RCSB Z71 5.3 stock w/ Hypertech programmer clicked off the timer in the 1/8 @ 9.97 about 70 mph...

Just my experience - everyone has their own opinion about each tuner/custom tune. It's your truck & your money

 

If your limited on money and don't want to do an extensive amount of modding to your truck, then the first thing you should do is get a custom tune.

Forget the handheld programmers. For the cost of one of those you can get Nelson Performance or anothe rone of out aponsors to custom tune your pcm. And it'll make twice the horsepower and be a lot funner to drive!

 

It all depends on what kind of money you feel like spending. (BTW this is very addicting hobby if you're not already) I'm building a budget "4.8" to put in my truck wile I build my 402. Hears a little list.
-Started out with a '02 4.8 ('99-'03 has return style fuel rails better for tuning with forced induction)
- Install a 5.3 crank (witch will make it a high compression 5.3)
-upgrade the bearings and rod bolts (so it can handle 6700 RPM)
-Install a TR 220/220, 588/588, 112 cam, 918 springs, and 7.425 pushrods
-Pacesetter headers and Y pipe
-And a killer tune (we use HP tuners but if you're new to the game use one of our sponsors)
By now you are probably saying holy crap that's a lot but the grate thing is you don't have to every thing at the same time. Spread it out. When you have some extra scratch do one of the steps. Have fun and good luck.

 

i think a custom tune, some long tubes, and some elec. fans would give you a good some decent hp. i ran 8.80's and 8.90's in the1/8 at 77 mph with them and a cold air intake and a 3000 stall. you can pick up some elec fans cheap at a local junk yard off of a camaro.