New to the "Bowtie" with a possible 02 Tahoe rebuild

[radtexas]

Been primarily a F..d guy most of my car driving life but don't nail me to the wall yet. Owned many mustangs along the way with my most current baby being an 08' GT500 which I have had for about three years now.

I recently purchased an 02 Tahoe daily driver with the 5.3 in 2WD. It has lots of miles on it (190k) but it still runs and looks great. I am thinking about rebuilding another 5.3 (from boneyard) on the stand to replace this one some time along the way. Of course, I wanted more power and know there are several ways to get more to the wheels. I don't want a high budget build.

What are some options on how to make this happen? Open to ideas at this point but just not wanting to get the HP with boost.

Goal: NA and put 400+ to the wheels.

Thanks in advance and glad to be a part of both worlds.

Also posted this to LS!Tech but found this forum and thought it might be a more specific group.

[radtexas]

How much HP is lost on the Tahoes from the Fly to the wheels?

After doing more reading I am leaning toward the 6.0 build for the obvious reasons. Thinking of going this route possibly and hopefully have all big things in list.

1. LQ4 block and crank
2. 243 heads (possibly milled for more compression)
3. LS2 piston/rods
4. LS6 or Hot Cam
5. reusing top intake and such from my current 5.3
6. Shorty headers
7. Of course 91-93 Oct tune

Think it will hit 400 RWHP or better?

Concern is how will the stock 4L60E tranny connect to the 6.0 and hold up with this heavy beast? Read that adding better cooling and shift kit help a lot, and not sure I really want to do a 4L80E swap.

[farmtruc]

Don't forget a better fuel pump and some 42lb injectors.

400hp is possible with a 6.0 but not with that cam and intake and heads.
It'll have to be semi wild to achieve that.
The stock tahoes lay down about or less than 250hp to the wheels.

400hp is gonna require other supporting mods.

Btw. Welcome!

[kerrige]

6.0
Flattop pistons
224/228 .581/.581 LSA112
Worked 243s milled .030
NNBS/TBSS intake manifold and 90mm tb
Basic boltons ie longtube headers, exhaust, Efans, etc
Good custom live tune.

Fuel
42lbs injectors
Aeromotive Stealth 340 fuel pump

80e transmission
40k trans cooler
3k circle d stall

Rearend
Trutrac and 4.10s

You will have about 400rwhp that is useable and fun while being a great DD.

[radtexas]

After lots of reading, I think (I know) I have been looking at the wrong curve. I should be thinking of building a torque monster vrs. a big HP engine. I want something that will have good towing ability, and fun red light to red light ability. I would rather have great take off up to highway speed than top end. So that being said I will read up more on building a torque engine and the engine setup will definitely be adjusted but not sure what yet.

[kerrige]

The setup I just described should be perfect for what you want.