It's the old question....
How much do you want to spend? The more you spend (throw into a dark pit, it's easier) the quicker you can make your ride. The first performance mods suggested are usually your basic bolt-ons, intake, exhaust, chip or programmer, ignition, gears, underdrive pulleys, electric fan. It gets more expensive when you start going internal with cams, roller rockers, lifters, head work. I've spent enough money that I could have had a really quick F-Body Camaro or Firebird instead I have Tank that is just a little quicker than other Tanks. If it's true speed, quickness and performance your looking for...you're working with the wrong platform. But if it's infected you, you're proud of your truck and enjoy doing a lot of the work yourself... then have a blast! I have the same engine as you. The timing is set to "0" degrees while the timing connector (tan plastic connector under the passenger firewall carpet) is disconnected. You line up the second mark on the crankshaft damper pulley with the timing mark on the block (looks like a raised V). When you reconnect the timing connector the computer takes control of timing advance. Don't advance the timing manually youself unless you want to have detonation at WOT which will activate the two Knock Sensors that will then retard timing again. If you want advanced performance timing get an aftermarket chip that has more aggressive but safe WOT timing curves programmed in.