Looking for advice on basic engine mods to boost performance.

[sonic1994]

Here is the breakdown. And I apologize if this is long, or a duplicate. Last spring I bought my dream truck a 1992 GMC Sierra SLE Single cab 4x4. The body had about 159,*** miles on it. Spent most of its life on a farm. The person I bought it from took it and refitted it with a crate 5.7 engine. I got it with roughly 1000 miles on the new engine. It runs great, no issues at present. I have since spent most of my time upgrading suspension as that system needed refining along with standard replacement of fluids, general maintenance/wear&tear modifications. I then fitted it with a 6" rough country lift kit, 17" pro comp wheels, and 35" K02 tires. I spend a lot of time in the mountains camping and enjoying my time outside. Not necessarily Overlanding, but I do hope to get more into that as she goes. My questions are directed to any basic engine mods that will help increase performance. Like I said I drive in the mountains a lot, and would love to be able to get more power and performance. Also, I live at a high altitude. just below 9,000 feet. Any advice or guidance would be appreciated. I'm new to this, but hoping to dive in further and create a truck that will not only last but perform. Thanks!

 

[Dusty247]

A super simple effective mod is to advance the timing 5 to 6 degrees. It wakes them up quite a bit.

 

[Schurkey]

a crate 5.7 engine.

WHICH "crate 5.7 engine"?

Stock-replacement? GM Performance? Aftermarket performance? Cheap parts-store production-line rebuilt junk?

What transmission?

I then fitted it with a 6" rough country lift kit, 17" pro comp wheels, and 35" K02 tires.

Probably needs all that removed; or deeper gears front/rear.

What gear ratio currently?

Is this a 1/2, 3/4, or 1-ton? If you've got a half-ton with the craptastic 10-bolt 'n' 254mm rear brakes, you need an entire rear axle. The 9.5" ring gear 14-bolt semi-float unit from a 4WD six-lug 3/4 ton drops right in with a rear u-joint change; and brings far better rear brakes with it.

any basic engine mods that will help increase performance. Like I said I drive in the mountains a lot, and would love to be able to get more power and performance. Also, I live at a high altitude. just below 9,000 feet.

Supercharger/turbocharger comes to mind. You've got more than enough trouble getting air into that engine at altitude.

Exhaust work--headers, non-plugged catalyst(s) in the stock location and quantity, larger exhaust tubes, decent muffler/resonator.

Verify fuel pressure.

 

[theunderlord]

immediately LS swap it

 

[Silverado1994]

Welcome to the forum Sonic.

My first question is , how much performance are you after? Do you want just a little more / mild or a significant increase in power?

Secondly has the 700R4 transmission been gone through yet and if you don't know can you ask the seller?

 

[Erik the Awful]

35s and mountain roads? You need torque. I'd start with a cam, but that's not a "basic" engine mod. I'd go with an exhaust, cut out the restrictor in the air box, and a tune. If you get much above stock, you'll need to replace your fuel pump. The factory Vortec pump is a drop-in replacement that is a massive upgrade.

 

[MrPink]

Exhaust, cam, tune, re-gear for 35's if it has the stock gearing it is not enough in the low end.

 

[351FUN]

Gears is the #1 thing that comes to mind. No mod will top that for money to performance ratio.

 

[Silverado1994]

Gears is the #1 thing that comes to mind. No mod will top that for money to performance ratio.

Yesiree. That and headers along with free flowing exhaust.

 

[351FUN]

Yesiree. That and headers along with free flowing exhaust.

I'd even say the stock manifolds are fine. The Y pipe and stock cat are much bigger problems and cheaper to replace. Easier too, I know I'm not gonna try to do headers on my 30 year old engine.