Rouge Nova
Newbie
I have a 2000 Chevy Tahoe limited with a 5.7 vortec under the hood. I’m trying to do some mods on it to get it to 350 or 400 HP but I don’t know where to start. Any advice on what are some good mods to start with?
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As you say you're wanting to work your way to that goal, I'd start with improving the exhaust. DIY is the best quality for dollar, but you have to have the tools and skills. If you go duals you'll want an X or H pipe. Two-into-one is very popular and doesn't give up much, if anything, to a dual exhaust if you make sure that merge pipe is at least 3". You'll probably also want headers to get to your desired horsepower. Long tubes fit well and work well on these trucks.Any advice on what are some good mods to start with?
2nd exhaust and headers, especially on the 1500 trucks that used the dinky little 1-7/8" pipes. Luckily my L31 van had easy room to grow since it was dual 3" to the muffler from GM. It ran well with a dual 3" in, single 4" out muffler and then I added shorty headers and high flow metallic core thunderbolt cats. Later I added tri-ys and it picked up a good bit more torque.Before you start down this path, make sure you've done a tune-up and everything's running properly. Make sure your brakes are in good shape and working to their full potential.
As you say you're wanting to work your way to that goal, I'd start with improving the exhaust. DIY is the best quality for dollar, but you have to have the tools and skills. If you go duals you'll want an X or H pipe. Two-into-one is very popular and doesn't give up much, if anything, to a dual exhaust if you make sure that merge pipe is at least 3". You'll probably also want headers to get to your desired horsepower. Long tubes fit well and work well on these trucks.
Don't bother with "cold air" intakes. The factory intake draws cool air from the fender. The best improvement there is to open up the sheetmetal for the air to get into the intake tract. Somebody who owns a Vortec truck might be able to make a recommendation.
Getting to 350-400 horsepower is going to require a cam change at some point. Your factory injection system should be able to handle it with a re-tune.
@shurkey Is right about the HT383E. I put one in my 98 GMC and made a world of difference. If you want even more power you could do a mild cam.I have a 2000 Chevy Tahoe limited with a 5.7 vortec under the hood. I’m trying to do some mods on it to get it to 350 or 400 HP but I don’t know where to start. Any advice on what are some good mods to start with?
OR... go with a Blue Print long block@shurkey Is right about the HT383E. I put one in my 98 GMC and made a world of difference. If you want even more power you could do a mild cam.
OP lives in California. Blueprint long block says "not for use with EGR", and there's no CARB approval.OR... go with a Blue Print long block
www.blueprintengines.com/products/383-ci-stroker-crate-engine-small-block-gm-longblock-bp38318ct1
GM SB Compatible 383 c.i. Engine - 436 HP - Long Block
BluePrint Engines 383 c.i. small block GM style stroker crate engine - longblock. Includes 30 month / 50,000 warranty & BPE Dyno Promise. Part #: BP38318CT1blueprintengines.com
Yeah, it doesn't look like it is either.I can't find anywhere on the GM web site that says the HT383E is emissons-legal. (I thought that was the whole point of the final "E".) The installation guidelines specifically state that it's for "off-highway use" only. So the OP may be well-and-truly screwed by Commiefornia.