I have an 02 Z71 with the 5.3 and auto trans. I'm looking for some performance upgrades like programmers , cold air intake & exhaust. Has anyone done these upgrades and what is youre opinion ? Is it worth the money?

 

i put flow master(40 series) and a k&n cold air intake on my 01 5.3,i can tell some improvement but the next two things i do is a mass air flow sensor,computer chip which should be very noticable from what i have been told.

 

I've done the 40 series flowmaster catback and MAC cold air intake. I highly reccomend the MAC intake. IMO it looks 100 times better than the plastic K&N and costs just over $200. My next upgrade is going to be a tune. Ive heard good things from Nelsons, Westers, and wait4me(cheap but dont know if it eliminates Torque Management). Im researching them all now and im trying to find the best one that also removes TM. These 5.3's respond very well to exhaust/intake. I was also told not to touch the MAF...dont de-screen---don't go aftermarket. I was told little gains and most caused more problems

 

whats torque management?

 

Torque Management is basically the computer retarting the timing when the throttle is at WOT. Ever wonder why your 99-06 bogged off the line then took off once you hit like 20 mph, thats why. GM retards the timing, causing a loss in power. I believe the idea behind this is for greater longevity in the drivetrain. Check out this link and it will tell u everything u need to know. http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/...d.php?t=123667

 

I installed on my truck a 77series K&N cold air intake and let me tell you, it looks awesome and i noticed power gains right away. K&N is the #1 brand in intakes for a reason. No other way to go. The 77series is Chrome too if u dont like the plastic. I then later Installed a magnaflow dual catback system and I again notice a good power increase and the sound is awesome. Its stainless steel too so it wont rot out in two years like a flowmaster. Im not hating on flowmaster, ive had flowmaster systems in last two trucks, but im sick of replacin em every two or three years. Plus this magnaflow system sounds expensive like a Borla system.

 

I have the mods listed below and I was really pleased with all them. I did have the torque management removed with my tune. I love the whole setup. It works great. Performance is awesome. It shifts from 1-2 at 46mph and from 2-3 at about 87ish and I've never had it shift from 3rd to 4th yet. I was running about 5600rpm's. Since the tune at WOT it won't shift until 5800 rpms.

3" jba cat-back
k&n CAI
wait4meperformance tune

 

I have a 99 silverado with a 5.3L auto, on my truck i have the 2.5" true dual exhaust. With an X-pipe, which i highly recomend, lots of difference on the low end torque. i also have the converters removed and bypass chips in for the rear O2 sensors so the computers happy.

KN intake kit, didn't notice a whole lot of difference with it.

Hypertech programmer, i needed it more from changing tire size and gear ratios. Since I did go with larger tires i didn't notice a big diffence in power, but then it didnt feel like I lost much with 35" tires.

I also put on the granitelli aftermarker mass air flow sensor, I noticed allot more engine respnse in the trottle, which is prolly because theres less restriction.

If i had to do it all again, for sure i would.

 

i have a 1999 1500 5.3L and i put on a air max cold air intake system with a K&N filter, a helix throttle body space, Flowtech Headers, A Flowmaster 50 series muffler and 3 inch exhaust, and i noticed alot of power difference and i can easily burn the tires off but it has 250 000 kilometers on it so it is slowing down.

 

I slowly upgraded my 05 silverado 5.3L and started with a K@N 77 series intake. If you want an intake I strongly suggest the 77 series. It looks much better than any plastic intake and adds a strong deep tone to your engine that you will deffinatly notice. After that I got custom made 3 inch exhuast, dual side exit with a flowmaster 40 serires muffler. If you are going for a loud truck, the 40 series is what you want. My dad and sister have the 50 series and is not nearly as loud. Just recently I got a superchip and toyed around with it and deffinatly could tell a difference. I changed the shift time and pressure to max. Now when I floor it it shifts at redline and I even chirp some tires. I can smoke a hemi with no problem so those 3 things are a good start.