First mod for '01 Sierra w/ 5.3L?????

[MeanMussy]

OK guys.. I recently purchased a Sierra Z71. This is the only vehicle I have ever owned that didn't have a Blue Oval on the front of it.

So, help a new-b out.. What are some of the first, simple, quick mods for the 5.3L???

Thanks!

[5.3Vortec]

Hey, My first bow tie too.

My first and only mods so are a fipk intake, 180 degree stat, hypertech, and raven muffler.

[BigKID]

How much money do you want to spend?? The basics are intake, exhaust, pullys, programming. Here are some choices:

CAI - anywhere from free airbox mod with K&N to Home brew intakes to aftermarkets such as the GenII, UPD or Volant (along with many others)

Exhaust - anything from a muffler change to complete replacement catbacks to custom exhaust work. The main issue here is price and you personal sound preferance.

Pullys - as far as I know ASP has the only ones for our motors.

Programming - anything from handhelds (HPPIII, Predator) to custom tunning (Westers, Nelson) to Tunning youself (LS1Edit)
Not to mention the various free mods that dont really add up to much.

[MeanMussy]

what are some of the "free" mods for this motor?

[01Thunder]

here is the web site for the free mods :D http://www.sshotrods.com/performance/gmtruck/

[5.3Vortec]

I just read on ls1tech that descreenin the maf could screw things up, is this true?

[01Thunder]

yes and no.
you run the chance of messing up the thin wire inside of the MAF
I descreened mine and didnt notice much of a diffrence, so I put it back in.
just my .02
some guys swear they gained some HP, but there are others that say they didnt notice anything., and then some that say it made their truck run horrible and throw codes.

[BigKID]

My abriviated opinion on the descreening issue:
If you have an aftermarket filter setup that allows smoothing of the airflow into the meter, descreening is ok. Otherwise, as with the stock airbox, keep it in.