Thanks for any help.

Current Sitch: Bone stock '03 5.9, 120k, plenum leak, valve cover leak, runs well but sluggish and low RPM miss.

Since its getting opened up to fix the plenum leak I (think) Ive decided on the following mods or replacements based what all you generous contributors have said:

M1 intake, 52mm tb, injector service/replace, plugs R&R, water pump, oil pump, timing chain and gear, and serp belt. ...Headers, Roller Rockers and hi-flow cats are planned in the near future.

My questions:

1. Have I selected choices that make sense: work well together, add adequate performance / dependability for the buck? Should I just stay with the Kegger?

2. Do you have a better combo for a 5.9 used primarily as a tow rig for 4800 lb. boat in wonderfully mountainous Oregon & Washington?

Admittedly I'm not the best wrench but Im not scared! dangerous combo.

Jeff Spicoli: "Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it."

Thanks again

 

unless the injectors are leaking or sticking dont waste your money touching them, they tend to last very well

dont waste your money on a high flow cat, the truck already has on it (they came with one from dodge)

timing chain is a lifetime part, should not need to be replaced until you rebuild the engine, if you want to replace it no harm done, just giving you a heads up.

otherwise i dont see any problems with your plan

 

Gearing If you have 3.55's switch to 4.10 or 3.92. I know its not relevant to opening the motor up. If I was you I would have the heads off at this time and do the 1.7 rockers and have the heads ported & shaved. Let it breath with that new M1 and have a custom tune done to compliment it all.

 

I'm sure you know the feeling... got it all in my online shopping cart ready to hit SEND on a large purchase. Need some kind sign or shove to seal the deal. So..Thanks so much for the quick responses!

I had read somewhere that the timing chain can get stretched and become a bit sloppy. Anyway thanks for the advice there Shrp!

Aducart, Yes I do have 3.55 with the 46RE and plan to go to at least 3.92. Do you wish you had 4.11? How much weight are you towing?
I hear ya on the ratio rockers and until you mentioned it I had convinced myself to leave the stock heads as is. But was really leaning toward shorty headers and had researched some shaved head options: The pic is what I got when I googled shaved heads. So how much did you shave them and what was the result on your compression? Octane?

 

I have 3.92's and it is a good setup for general towing off-road use. I have towed from 1200-8500lbs. If I was (and plan on doing in the future) switching gears I would do 4.56's cause I plan on going with larger tires in the future.