aaronbetzner

iTrader: (2)

Hey guys I have an 03 Silverado lifted with 20 inch wheels and 33 inch tires and just turned over 100k. It is getting a little tired and I want to have a replacement ready to go in when it goes. I'm not looking to build a race truck that sucks gas but I'd like more power than stock. It is a 5.3 now. What is the best budget friendly option with existing pcm and minor sensor changes? 6.0? Stroker? 5.3 built shortblock with worked heads and cam? Maybe a sponsor can chime in as well.

badazz81z28

iTrader: (6)

More power, but less gas???

Simple formula....More power needs more air and fuel in the engine. Which one do you want? MPG or Hp? You can't have both. You have to compromise in the middle. Rebuilding what you have is the best idea.

88Fbody6L

iTrader: (5)

6.0 would be a nice upgrade for torque. Especially with a lifted truck and taller tires

burbalanche

iTrader: (3)

put a nice little turbo on it.nothing big just simple little run pump gas yet low boost.be fun to

C4 LS1

For a fairly budget friendly idea a simple cam swap will make a world of difference but unfortunately most will drink more gas depending on the lift and duration.

Platinum WS6

iTrader: (6)

I have been thinking on this as well for my 03' and unfortunately there is no special engine combo that will give more power with at least the same gas mileage especially if you go 6.0. I have yet to find someone with a 6.0 in these trucks that doesn't get 12 mpg or worse. I think another 5.3 with a small cam ground more for tq is the answer I will go with because I tow a pretty good size boat and the 5.3 just doesn't make a lot of tq down low. Good luck......btw 100k miles really isn't much for the truck as I'm pushing almost 200k on mine so I wouldn't jump the gun.

Platinum WS6

iTrader: (6)

oh btw check out performancetrucks.net for some good feedback and research.....good info there

Old Geezer

iTrader: (3)

Maybe try the conversion forum???

boostit5.3

iTrader: (3)

I would throw a ls6 cam in a 6.0 and let it eat parts are easy to find and cheap!

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

What a lot of folks forget when talking 6.0l economy is they were used in 3/4 ton trucks with a 4L80E and 14bolt. Both of those will hurt economy compared to a 4L60E and 10-bolt which are a lot lighter to turn.

I have a 6.0l shortblock I plan on putting in my half ton truck.

The only way I can see a 100K 5.3l getting "tired" though would be abuse or neglect, 100K is not a lot of miles anymore.

I would not do a stroker a junkyard 6.0l would be cheap and effective the 317 heads on them are the same ports as the 243s that are the favorite car head, the truck head just has a large low compression chamber. Mill the heads a little and give it a fairly short duration cam and IMO you can have a nice boost in power without making it swill fuel.

On the flip side you could do like burbalanche said a completely stock engine and put a small turbo on it, a small turbo will spool quickly on a V8. No fears of added displacement hurting economy..
A friend who owns a speed shop once said to me " a good turbo doesn't cost any more than good headers" now he didn't mean a turbo build is cheaper, or that you can't spend a huge amount on a turbo, but for $700 or so you can get a nice 76mm single turbo that can feed FAR more than you are considering. That price wont buy you a new billet compressor oilless unit.

aaronbetzner

iTrader: (2)

I guess more what I'm saying is that I want an excuse to spend some dough and hop up the truck. I know I'm not gonna get great mpg but I'm thinking I may put a power adder on it at some point-blower and headers or turbo. THanks for your input guys. Trying to fight the bug to buy something newer.