I currently have 2000 Silverado 5.3l 4x4 with a 4l60, it has about 165,000 miles on it. It was my first vehicle and now I'm planning on it to be a project for my father and I to go back through. The truck is currently lifted 7.5" on 35's and does fine around town from stop light to stop light. But I'm wanting to go back through the motor and freshen it up a bit and give it some well needed HP, but more importantly more Torque. I would like some suggestion on what cam, intake, throttle body, injectors, etc. to run and some more goodies to go along with it. I have read up on swapping in a early 2000's corvette cam but would rather do something that will help low end torque and mid-range HP. I don't plan on turbo, supercharge or nitrous right now mainly anything else I can do to it though. The list below are parts that I currently have waiting to put on it

- LT headers + 2.5" true duals
- 4.56 gears
- Cold Air intake (Already on it)
- Throttle-body Spacer (Already on it)

 

Put a 6.0 in, aka, lq4 or lq9.

I would not mess with the 5.3.

 

I think you'll be surprised how much the gears change the driving experience.

I wouldn't bother with the expense of a full engine swap, but a BTR stage 2 truck cam (or one with comparable specs) would be my suggestion if you're doing a little refresher.

 

I have been told this before and I'm very excited to see the change. The truck has 3.73's in it right now so it will be a big difference going to 4.56's. Also does anybody know if it would be worth going through the transmission and beefing it up? If so what should I do? I've never messed with a "newer" automatic transmission. Thanks again for all the help guys, keep the comments coming!

 

The 60e isnt really up to the task you have in mind for it. Larger tires, more power, taller vehicle are all against it. The only thing youre doing to help it is gears, and gears will help it survive a lot more.

I have an 02 60e with a corvette servo mod, shift kit, external cooler and a tune. Its a stop gap product that I expect to leave me stranded at some moment in the future.

The real solution is a low mile or refurb 80e swap.

As for cams and mods, I like my Texas Speed 212/218 .550 on 112. I have a full exhaust, 4" intake 5.3 that makes 300whp. The NNBS intake with some mods, a larger TB, biggest intake you can find, tune and cam will wake that girl up.

In the end it comes down to how much you want to spend for both time and money. A truck 8"+ over stock height is gonna be tough to work on with the engine in the truck. A 6.0 on the stand can get freshened up, cam'd, re gasketed and cleaned up a lot easier. Then remove the front clip, remove the tires, drop the front on jackstands and get to workin on that swap

Even if you didnt do that, I would still do everything on the stand. Doing springs is a pain, and even worse when your truck is that tall. If you want some more suggestions, or want some part numbers or details on my build, let me know. I make 6.0 power at the wheels for about $8-900 ish. But a tune is absolutely necessary.

I think the 5.3 can meet your goals. I think a 6.0 will make you surpass your goals and want more

 

Yes, If you could send me that information

 

Cody, got your PM. I am just going to reply here for future reference. I have an 02 Flex Fuel 5.3, the current configuration is as follows:

-TSP 1 7/8 LTs (too big for a normal 5.3, but I intend to 408 my truck) $400
-3” Y pipe to 3.5” all the way back through OEM 6.2 muffler (built it myself) $200
-Speed Density to 2 bar $100 unlock through HPTuners + sensor (robbed a junkyard one off a Buick L67)
-TSP 212/218 .550/.550 112LSA Cam: $200 (bought new/used on here)
-LS6 springs (blues): $40
-eBay 4” intake: $40
-Dyno tune: $450
-NGK TR6s: $10

My 4L60 is very basic, and I don’t suggest you throw a ton of money at yours either, anything you do to it is just buying you time until you do the 80e
-Stock converter
-Corvette servo: $30
-Transgo Transmaxx T74165E: $70
-Shift kit install/filter/flush/gasket: $300
-External Ford cooler: $25+ fittings and line, so call it $50 even

So there you have it, there is my recipe for 302whp NA.