Budget is kind of small. I have an Uncle that works at a salvage yard and he is getting me the crank and rods for this setup if it will work. The Cam and other goodies that i'm putting in are out of pocket. You should see the custom cold air intake that i'm building. It should flow like An AEM Bruteforce .

 

i got a 4.8 in my little sierra. i got a superchips power programmer and you could really feel the difference. you can also get some edelbrock titanium painted headers for like 280 bucks. thats what im gonna get. also msd plug wires.

 

In my opinion it is not worth the time, money, and hassle to change out the inside of a 4.8 to make it a 5.3. If this is what you truley want to do, and your uncle owns a salvage yard, pull an entire 5.3 out and drop it in, or buy a 5.3 short block for around 200-500 and bolt all the 4.8 accessories on to it (heads, intake etc). If my uncle had a salvage yard, I would be going for a 6.0

 

Damn! I have a brute force intake for sale.. $140... I also agree with him.. Go 6.0

 

i threw on some doug thorley headers, exhaust, and did my own modifications to the intake, and my 4.8 screams.

 

the superchips power programmer really works great.....i have one on mine.....that's the only way is going to get my 22s to turn......but i agree with everyone else.....if you're going to take the time and money to make your 4.8 to a 5.3.....get a 6.0........i'm bout to yank my 4.8 out and put in a 6.0 that i built that has about 500hp.............go 6.0....then add on FI and really make some power