I am a new member and was wondering a few things about my 2009 Chevy Silverado Z71 LTZ. It has the 5.3 with the 6 speed transmission. I want to get somewhere between 450-500 horsepower. What all can I do? And would a $5000 budget do it? Thanks a lot

 

you will need some sort of FI.

$5000 will make a great start!

 

Would cylinder heads, FAST LSXRT 102mm intake, camshaft and long tube headers do it?

 

You might hit 500 Flywheel with some killer AFR heads, 230+ duration cam and 102mm intake, but you would have a shitty driveable truck that would need a 4k + stall to even function lol.

 

Pretty much sums it up.

For your goals start picking what type of boost you like best...

 

My buddies 2012 ext cab silverado 5.3/6 speed just did 519 at a local dyno day this past sat. He has a custom cam spec'ed by my tuner and since he had to do the vvt and dod delete he had the heads milled. Has pacesetter 1 � long tubes and a 6.2 exhaust with a cutout. Also running a Nitrous Outlet 90mm plate with the 150 shot jets. Made 368 on motor 519 on bottle. Everything else is stock.

 

Cam and nitrous. You'll hit 500

 

Dosent even have to be big cam and 500 is doable with spray. There are several ways to do it, 5k is a workable budget to get you into forced induction. Just don't forget about budgeting for fuel systems and tuning. Install as well if your not able/ comfortable with performing the upgrades yourself.

Good luck keep us posted!

 

Dont leave out a built trans. You can make all the power you want, but the first thing that'll go is that trans. And that'll be around $3kof that $5k budget. Plus you'll need a good converter, another $1000. If your mechanically inclined, get a cam kit and install yourself. Then find a used nitrous kit on here. I bet you could stay in the $5k budget or at least close.

 

Do you want 500rwhp all the time or do you mind turning on the bottle, making sure pressure is good, ect before making a hit. If you don't mind the extra nitrous work, then you can hit 500 easily and for a lot less money than going with a FI system.