You fella's may have noticed me hanging around lately, and I wanted to say 'thanks' for the information that I've picked up by being here..

I've amassed all the gadgets and they're staged for launch.. Here is a quick run-down, and if anyone see's a blatant mistake, please let me know?

foundation:
'02 1500 (yeah I know, wrong genny for here- but-) 5.9L Magnum (the reason I hang here more than 3rd genny board), 4x4 Sport Trim.. factory 3.92 LSD.. 46RE.. towing pckg (tranny cooler)..

146k miles, runs fairly strong and clean- doesn't burn oil and seems to be in great working order (I'm a strong believer in PM)..

I love this truck, and it's been paid off for five years.. two years ago (about 10k miles) I dropped $3k in it for tires, rotors/pads, rack, shocks, tune, tranny service, all fluids, ect.. I had a number I didn't share with the garage, that if their quote exceeded $3k I was just going to trade it in.. it came to $2980 after taxes.. go figure, right?

I was at that place again recently, and decided to not to buy new, but build THIS ONE to look the way I wanted, but to also do some engine mod's.. I'm sorry, but of all the vehicles I've ever owned this one is by far my favorite.. That said- this is what I've already done (in the last three weeks)..

- Volant CAI (actually, it's been on there for years, so this is the sole exception from stock)
- Rough Country Leveling kit (front) rear 2" blocks
- MotoMetal 951's.. had factory 20's so I just stayed at 20"..
- Dick Cepek 35x12.5... as it turns out had a touch of rubbing that a saw fixed.. it did, however, align perfectly.. :-)
- neoprene seat covers.
- w2w nerf bars
- bull bar

Staged and waiting:
- 1.7 H&S rockers
- SCT Tuner (waiting for delivery)
- Plenum kit from Hughes
- Wires, cap, rotor, plugs
- 180* stat
- Headers (shorty's)
- Upwind 02's
- filters all around...
- 4.56 master kit (likely going on the back burner until I research carriers more)
- I'm gutting the cats, flowmaster 40's...
- the cat mod from fastman (ordering this Monday actually, I don't have it yet)

I came real close to getting some Iron Mag 2.02's from Hughes, but decided to see what happens with what I got before I drop that $$

Here are some questions I have for you guys, if you haven't seen anything off so far:

I was thinking about starting the mod's Monday, with a drop dead date of Wednesday, but I'm thinking I should wait on the tuner... does that make sense?

What type of gains should I reasonably expect?

Should I go ahead and grab some valve springs too?

Obviously I'd do new pushers too with the springs, but if anyone says no on the springs, should I get lifters too anyway?


I like to think I know about these things, then I come here and run into folks that really DO know, and, well... I learn that I'm not that smart after all... What says you fellers?

Thanks in advance....

 

You will see some gains. As to exactly how much.... that all depends on too many factors to make a judgement. One thing I CAN say though is, you will like it.

I haven't seen too many others replacing springs along with the rockers. I think that any that did change the springs as well, were also replacing the cam..... don't worry about it at the moment, put it all together, and see how it runs. If you start running into valve float, go for new springs. (I don't really see this becoming an issue though.)

You have a roller cam in there. (ok, the rollers are on the lifters.... but anyway......) so, lifters should be fine. Only time they really wear badly, is with inadequate oil pressure, in which case, you would have much bigger fish to fry.

Do all the mechanical work, and see how it runs. Make sure everything is copacetic, and THEN apply the tuner. This is another occasion that I suspect will be an eye opening experience.

Clearwater in florida also makes 2.02 heads for our trucks, at a significantly lower price than Hughes. Might want to investigate that should you decide to go for heads.