Performance Upgrades for a 2002 silverado 5.3?

**Slappy** · 09-22-2006, 05:33 AM

Well Im out here in Iraq and im returning home shortly and im trying to get an idea of what performance parts I should put on my truck when I get back. I want to put on headers(right now im considering thorley shorty 14 gauge ceramic coated), a cold air intake(looking at either a k&n or a volant), cat back exhaust(possibly replacing cat entirely) and some sort of computer mod(either a programmer or getting it sent out). I was also thinking of putting in a 180 degree thermostat but im not sure if that is necessary. I have looked around a bit and I still dont have a good idea what I need. Any ideas would be appreciated thanks.

**bluecajun5.3** · 09-22-2006, 08:05 AM

please, do yourself a favor and don't spend any money on shorties (they are not worth the gain, if any). you can get pacesetter long tubes and off road y pipe for around $500 and replace your stock muffler with a good free flowing one, like hooker aerochamber.

intake, either will do. and a custom programed pcm will gain you best results.

i'm sure others here will chime in on this.

lance

**mean05 5.3** · 09-22-2006, 10:09 AM

well said if you look at your stock manifolds you will see they are pretty much shorties and don't waste the money on the thermostat, and don't ever look at getting a throttle body spacer they just make noise, if you get a mail order tune go with a good one like Nelson's tune it may cost a few bucks but well worth it imo...
Thanks
Virgil

**Gran Patron** · 09-23-2006, 02:16 PM

I agree with the 2 posts above!!

**Pauly** · 09-23-2006, 03:37 PM

If you are going with an agressive PCM tunbe then I think teh 180° therm is a good idea. The therm will START opening at 180° and be fully open at around 195°.

I am running a 160° stat in my truck right now, some tuners recommend or REQUIRE lower temp stats.

If you use electric fans you MUST adjust them to work WITH the lower stat.

It makes sense, cooler water equals cooler heads which equals MORE detonation resistance, esp. todays higher compression engines.

peace
PAuly

**mean05 5.3** · 09-23-2006, 06:21 PM

i don't know i just see the cooler thermostat as a mod in the same as the throttle body bypass a worthless mod like a throttle body spacer i run 34-36 degrees of timing on mine with the stock thermostat and run at 195 on the temp and have never seen my truck pull timing for knock retard, i just see better things to put that money for the thermostat to and if his tune requires a colder thermostat then he will be required to run 91-93 octane which will more likely keep him from any detonation, but then these are just our opinions and the thermostat is only like $25 through summitracing.com

**[SS] Scarface** · 09-23-2006, 08:40 PM

listen def. get LT headers...i got my doug thorley's from summits $540 shipped....i know awesome price...their website said $700 plus the guy on the phone said $498 i was like oooook great!!!......yea KN will work just as good as the volant and you will save like 70$-$100 bucks. ive got dual 40 flows dumped B4 the axle..sound real goood. yea whip ot the credit card and get a nelsons. tune im still gettin the bugs worked outta mine but its worth it.......get home safe bud !!!!imho i would get gears and shift kit for the tranny B4 fans or thermostat get the expensive stuff outta the way first they have the biggest gains.