I have no intentions of going crazy modding with my truck, but would like some added pep. Any advice for first mod? Say in the $500 range.

Honestly, Id probably only do intake, exhaust, superchips, and new wheels/tires...unless there is something that I do not know about that really adds life to the 2002 5.9 motor.

Thanks!

 

superchips

 

Superchips, by far. The program for the 5.9 really wakes up the beast in that engine, you won't be disappointed. A cold air intake will help with breathing, I personally recommend a cheap ebay CAI kit and buy a K&N filter, total cost is around $100 and is just as good as a name brand $300 kit. A better flowing catback exhaust won't hurt either, do some searching on youtube and find a sound you like. Also, an E-Fan will free up some horsepower, take out the clutch fan and replace it with a good E-Fan (recommend a Flex-a-lite) run ya about $300 depending on where you get it.

 

Cool. Wasnt sure if CAI or exhaust were needed before the programmer, or if a reflash would be needed after the fact for that matter if I did get those mods later.

 

do the superchips last, and dont forget to get a 180* thermostat.
recommended for proformance programmers is the 180*thermostat, free-flow exhaust, and a cai.

 

Agreed, cai + exhaust + 180 thermostat then superchips is the way to go. I still don't have a cai yet. Anyone make there own cai that fits on the 5.9?

 

blah blah blah THEN superchips?? nuh uh, on a 5.9 the SC is the FIRST thing you want to do. I think the throttle bodies for the 5.9 come pretty cheap too, combined with a CAI should do you some good. I'd hold off on the exhaust if I could get a TB for a decent price.

 

I agree, a LOT of gains available with the SC on the 5.9. I'd want to feel that first. The combined gains of a CAI, Cat Back and t-stat combined won't show you what you'll feel from the SC...

 

Throttle body is a nice mod as well.

http://www.thefastman.com/Throttlebodies5x.asp

Some guys with 2nd gens just put a round air filter on. It's not CAI but it allows for better air flow and you can get one cheap allowing your money to go to a throttle body, exhaust and Superchips. I stayed with the stock t-stat and went with a step cooler spark plug (autolite 3923), did both for a while but I didn't have enough heat for a Northern Canadian winter. The guys over in the 2nd gen have lots of tips on modding the 5.9L.

 

isint a "flex-a-lite" the ping pong paddle forest gump used???