i have a stock chevy ext. cab 1500 with 4.8 and 200000 miles just redone trans what can i do that will make make the most horsepower 4 the buck. water pump is going out so i was thinking about changing cam while its down whats a good 1. do u need 2 change push rods and lifters any info will help thanks

 

If it were me i would freshen up that engine if i had the money. and if you put all the money into rebuilding a 4.8l i would just take it a step further and go 6.0l. but if you just want to get buy for now. if you do a cam swap i would replace the lifters, push rods, and springs on a truck with that many miles. As far as cams it depends on where you want to go with this truck. you can start lookin at what other people done. and research cams alittle.
there are all kinds of sponser on this board willing to help you.

Remeber this is just what i think. its your truck in the long run.

 

Your gonna need to give alot more input for people to think about chiming in...start with
Price range:
Desirable HP:

 

I don't think I would like my 4.8 if it wasn't supercharged.
Ron

 

3.622" stroke and ya got a 5.3.. Are I bet if you did a 4.00" stroke it might be crazy??

 

200,000 miles on a 4.8

Your options.
01. rebuild the 4.8 with a 0.30 punch and 10/10 turn on the crank,
go with larger valves in the heads and a bigger cam.
You will go from 293 cubic inch to 297 cubic inch block.
still just a 4.8

02. pick up a used set of LS1 pistons, crank, and rods, this option is
good because many are building a 408 or 383, witch gives you a chance
To grab it all for a low price.
rebuild the heads and a bigger cam and you come out with a 345 cubic
Inch block with far more hp then a 4.8.

03. do what a few others are doing and pick up the crank kit to
Turn your 4.8 in to a 383.
Now on this option a set of 317, 6.0 heads would do very nice.
add the bigger cam and a huntin we go hemi's

04. you can find a 6.0 that need to be rebuilt or a running 6.0
with low miles, add in the cam and a fresh set of springs
and your still huntin for hemi's.

05. spend a great deal of money on a 6.0 or LS2 and build a
408 or a 425 that your trans and gears will not last.
it will cost more money to buy a trans and rear end that
can hold up.

i would say your best bang for the buck is 02.
with so many putting in forged cranks, rods, and pistons.
the sell price would be low just so they can get it out of the way.
gm already built a 405 hp LS1, with a good cam and a good set
of 6.0 heads you can make more then 405 hp.
later down the road add some NOS or some type of forced induction
and your making more.
and just incase you did not know, GM made the 4.8 and the 5.3 so
they can be turned in to a 5.7
for the 4.8 you need the LS1 crank, pistons and rods.
for the 5.3 you only need the LS1 pistons.

 

thanks for the info

 

put a 200 shot on it and some high octane and hold on