Houston area. I've decided to build it up a bit. Forged pistons and H-beam rods. Head studs, and I might be able to get some 6.1 heads. If I do that, than an intake manifold as well. I've heard the stock 5.7 manifolds flow well, so headers are kind of iffy. It's somewhat on hold now, as I have too many expenses right now

 

I'll let my throttlebody go for $300 if/when you're interested. It will be a good size for that setup with a bit to grow. I think 84mm is a bit big for my current setup anyways. I love the throttle response though.

As for 6.1 heads, yea the stock exhaust manifolds flow well, but the ports on a 6.1 head are D shaped and stock manifolds are squarish. I'd either port the stockers or get a header... and then hope it clears the strut tower without much modification.

Might go with the 6.1 crank while you're at it, since with those pistons and rods, the crank will then be the weak point.

Then there's those heads, eagle 09 heads with a .070 gasket will put ya at 11:1, and they are cheaper than 6.1 heads but flow just as well. It's just that 6.1 heads already come great springs. Then you'll want to be sure you have the right length of push rods with the cam/heads/gasket taken into account.

 

As a side note.... damn I wish I could get a set of long tube headers to fit under there. Pacesetters are only $300 or less..

 

It will all come together eventually. sounds like ill be building a 6.1 lol. I think I that I'll do a trans upgrade and possibly gears at the same time too. How did you like your 4.10? I was thinking 4.56's but they might be too short

 

4.56s would be great for a truck with slicks or 4wd doing the 1/8th, but it's a bit much for a 2wd in the quarter. Too many shifts before the finish line. I'm gonna be jealous haha. I should have done more to the motor initially. Cam just wasn't enough.

 

If you know where I can get some deals on parts please let me know. Once I have the money I'll definitely take you up on the tb. Probably going to be pretty quickwhen it's done. Did you end up buying that charger?

 

Yep I did, and I've started upgrading the drivetrain too. That's my winter project. I've been contemplating selling the truck... it sure would help me get the new year started with less financial stress since I burdened myself with the charger, hah.

My best resource for hemi parts has been the LXforums.. it's by far the largest forum for hemi powered cars, and since so many parts work in the truck hemi, I find a lot of deals there.

The only things to be careful of are that the timing cover on the trucks tend to get in the way of most intake upgrades. Inertia makes a machined truck cover to adapt car intakes, and there are a few places that make the intake spacers for 6.1 intakes, eagle intakes, and apache intakes. It's that pesky coolant temp sensor that requires the spacers to go from 03-10 5.7 (car and truck) intakes to all the others.

 

So after a lot of research I think it's best for me to do a mild hemi for the time being. It's too expensive to build at this time. Plus I have other projects I want to do. So for now, looks like cam, and valvetrain only. I should be able to buy that tb from you soon