some mods I got need more

[venomchevy]

So I'm running the 5.3 and so far I've got  a cat back single to dual out. 40 series, jet performance programmer and a cai. I would like to get more can I get q custom tune...I think it would do a little more than just what the jet does. I can change shift speeds and limiter to take it up higher but iam not sure of the true gains I would like to get a custom tune on a dyno but that's all I've got for now. Does anyone have suggestions on a type of header that would give me some more umph. And iam interested in going mild cams without having to change valve springs and all that if possible idk any help would be appreciated

 

[Vaeagleav]

What year is your AV and how many miles on it?
Also what type of performance are you looking for, usable low/midrange torque or maximum high rpm H.P.?

Just my .02 but instead of spending a couple hundred dollars here  and a couple hundred dollars there and creating a Frankenstein mixture of parts that may or may not work together I would save my money and get a good balanced system like this:
http://www.magnusonproducts.com/p-73-suburban-avalanche-tahoe-yukon-48l-53l-2007-2010-magnuson-supercharger.aspx

Of course your parts may vary depending on year of AV........

I also realize that an AV is a bad starting point to make a high performance vehicle, not that it can't be improved but if I wanted more performance I would get a Corvette or Camaro.

 

[venomchevy]

Roger that and you are correct I have a 14 camaro ss and iam just wanting to put a lil pep in my avy step haha I just hate how the lil 5.3 sounds like it's chugging cause its such a tank. I've got the basic bolts on but I want to get a custom tune and some headers that may do it. And if not iam gona have to do a ca and get some head work but that's as far as I will go. Any ideas on what kind of cam I can get that isn't to outrageous as well as a good set of headers. Thanks I'll check out that link now

 

[enoniam]

There may be some out there but I don't know of any performance cams that don't require upgrading the springs.

This cam has made several people happy:

http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam-specs/Details.aspx?csid=1089&sb=2

 

[mrmidnight]

I have a Volant intake, Volant Throttle Body Spacer, and a Bully Dog programmer. For starters I think what I have is a good place to start, gives you more pep, is a combination of things that work, and is relatively inexpensive (less than $750 if you shop on Amazon)

 

[chevyway]

Definitely a programmer. 

 

[redheadedrod]

If you want to REALLY have flexibility down the road I would look at hptuner. It initially costs a little more but will work on both that truck and camaro.  It is like $500 for the programmer but it allows you to custom program anything you want. And depending on how you use the "credits" you can use it on a number of vehicles once you purchase it.

If you want to learn how to tune your engine they also have a $500 training setup to teach you how to program. Yes $1000 is more than that bulldog programmer but when you get a different GM vehicle you won't need to get a new programmer...

May also work with other makes but it really is a great setup. I plan to get one for my truck once my life settles down a little more.

Rodney

 

[mikeyjm1]

Or just find a good shop and for around the price of said programmer, let someone who already knows how to tune, begin your custom tune. I really wish this would have been beat into me back before I wasted money on a handheld.

 

[redheadedrod]

I personally don't believe in the hand held 'auto programmers'. They can't do much more than a factory tune and to me are a waste of money.

The hptuner is a full on tuner package and is the best option if you are willing to learn how to use it. And if you do a good job and really learn how to program then you can make your money back on it by tuning other peoples vehicles.

But otherwise if you don't have the time or desire to learn how to program your vehicle you can always pay someone else to do it as mike just stated. And in many larger towns you can find a tuner and not need to do it through the mail.

I bought a hypertech programmer for a car a few years back and after spending like $300 to be able to change the gear ratio in my car I thought what a waste. OEM Programming has gotten better and I don't think the general 'auto' programmers are any better today than back then. A custom tune is a whole lot better regardless if you pay someone else to do it or you do it. If you pay someone else to do it and you like tinkering it gets expensive fast to keep having to get it retuned. But if it will be once and forget it, then its probably not a bad way to go.

 

[Vegas Avy]

Roger that and you are correct I have a 14 camaro ss and iam just wanting to put a lil pep in my avy step haha I just hate how the lil 5.3 sounds like it's chugging cause its such a tank. I've got the basic bolts on but I want to get a custom tune and some headers that may do it. And if not iam gona have to do a ca and get some head work but that's as far as I will go. Any ideas on what kind of cam I can get that isn't to outrageous as well as a good set of headers. Thanks I'll check out that link now.

Can't go wrong with a TSP cam and heads package. Its about 2500 and its a decent upgrade for the price. Just do the trunion upgrade and some Johnson 2110r lifters, TSP long tube headers, and a cam somewhere around 212/218 (since i doubt you want to drop the trans for a 3000 stall TC) with PRC stage 2.5 heads, and it should sound and feel much better all for around 3 grand. Also do the corvette servo kit, which is the best/cheapest/easiest DIY upgrade you can possibly do on a 4L60E. It's like 20-30 bucks for the kit and you can install it yourself. The shifts are notably more firm from 1-2 and 2-3.

Then you could look around junkyards for any gen 4 trucks and get a TBSS intake, fuel rail, throttlebody, and injectors. You just need an X-link cable, and either the MAP or the PCV from the old intake, I can't remember which one, but you'll have both, so you can figure that out, and some adapters for the injectors, a local tune, and you'll have a respectable setup for not that much money.

Edit: I usually look at "new posts" and forgot I was looking through older ones. I realize I'm about 8 years too late. Lol.