I just got a stock 97 1500 with a vortec 350, and wanted to pUT a true dual exhaust from the headers back, but shopping is a little daunting, was looking for some advice. Also what's the best things to do for power gains?

 

If I am correct then your truck has the fuel tank located inside the frame rail right in front of the drivers wheel. That location of the the tank will present problems when you are running the exhaust system on the drivers side.

On my 95 the exhaust manifold had a 2.5" outlet going into a 2" Y-pipe, then the cat. I installed a Magnaflow y-pipe that had 2.5" inlets and a 3" outlet behind a set of stainless mid length headers to help the exhaust flow better.

As far as the engine mods to get more power it all depends on how much money you want to throw at it. You can get cams, heads, injectors, intake and have your puter reprogrammed to increase the horsepower just remember the more horses you want the more money you spend.

 

Would a side pipe setup out the rear of the front tires be a better option?

 

Mainly I'm looking to do a nice headers back dual system and an intake, beyond that I'm not looking to spend more than a grand

 

You might be able to run a set of block hugger headers the come out behind the front and run them along the outside of the frame.

A cold air intake would dress up the engine bay nicely.