New to the ls world Just Picked up a new dd 2000 Silverado 5.3 2wd ive been doing some research does anybody have an idea whats the best way to go about being in the 450rwhp range without any forced induction

 

Need more cubes right off hand!!
450 at the tire is harder than what people think.....

 

Like said above 450rwhp will be hard to do . But I would start with a cam LT headers and a good tune for starts .

 

What's more realistic numbers ? And any suggestions on best cam and etc

 

450rwhp from a n/a 5.3 in a truck? Not likely. For reference I'm not planning on hitting that with a ported 799 headed ls2 with a 230/238 cam and full bolt ons minus an electric water pump.

If you want to keep the 5.3 and keep it N/A, get the best aftermarket heads money can buy and call a sponsor for a matching cam. Also 1 7/8" longtubes, 3" true duals, underdrive pulley, Fast LSXrT intake, electric fans, and an excellent street/dyno tune. 400rwhp is a more reasonable but still lofty goal.

If you don't already have them also plan on a built trans, 3600+ rpm stall, and some gears.

 

Look, if you plan to keep that motor in the truck, your options are limited. Go with a performance cam, and you lose low end torque to get the beast moving - ask how I know...

Thunderstruck's recommdations are spot on. Good heads, full bolt ons, good towing cam, etc. figure you're $4K in at that point. You're only $2K away from buying a 6.2L crate engine. If you're set on the horsepower and NA, then swap in a used bigger motor and start with a better foundation

Supercharging with a roots type like magma charger, not centrifugal, might be a very good option for your who goals, even though you said you don't want it.

 

Could help if you stroke the 5.3 to a 383ci motor.

 

You didn't really say why you want this or what you plan on doing with it, but if you intend to keep it a daily driver there is only 1 answer IMO: supercharger.

N/A is going to be a lopey, high stalled, pain in the *** that makes a large impact on fuel mileage and still comes up well under your HP goal. It probably won't be impressive in the low end and will need to rev hard to hit it's power potential.

Turbo will get you power and drivability and MPG efficiency but my own personal experience leads me to regard turbo vehicles as relatively unreliable and full of headaches so I would not want to dick with one for a daily driver.

Supercharger will get you loads of power/tq from off idle to the upper RPM and when you drive like a sane person remain relatively docile and efficient and you might actually hit your HP goal too. A magnacharger or similar like mentioned above is the best answer to this situation based on the information I have so far.

 

Thanks everyone for your input I do plan on keeping this as my daily driver and I did want to go the supercharger route just couldn't find a reasonably priced one

 

Anyone know if a supercharger kit off a h3 hummer 5.3 will fit onto my truck ?

 

It should. Only question I would have is if it will clear the hood. Should bolt right up otherwise

 

Used Maggie kits for trucks are getting pretty cheap

My Gto had a maggie and it was a blast, makes loads of power right off idle if you want it to, or you can cruise around at part throttle and you'd never know it had a blower.
Still might be difficult to get 450 wheel with a 5.3 unless you pulley the **** out of it or you find a newer tvs head unit

 

If you want 450rwhp you will most definitely need some type of forced induction. I've only seen maybe a handful of NA 5.3s make it over 400hp. The one in mind also has to run something crazy like a 5,000rpm stall to work with the cam and heads he's using to get that power. You can get a brand new turbo kit for around 3000-3500. That running about 10psi on an otherwise stock motor would get you right around 450rwhp.